Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-11
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE FISHERIES TREATY.
Reports OF the Majority and Minority
Of the senate Committee.

The senate has removed the Injunction OF Sc
crecy from the report OF the committee on Foreign
relations upon the fisheries treaty. The majority
OF the committee states "that IL has had the SAID
proposed treaty under careful and deloerate con-
sideration, and that IL returns herewith resolu
tlon I'm the ordinary form for It's ratification, with
the expression OF its opinion that said resolution
ought not 10 be adopted" The report criticizes
the President for not putting into execution the
act OF March z 1887 TO protect the rights OF Amer
lean fishing vessels, and for his action In appoint
ing the fisheries commissioners without the advice
or consent OF the senate. IL Il not dificut to see
saws the report, "that in evil times, when the
PRESIDENT OF ths. United states may be under
The influence OF foreign and adverse interests,
such a course OF procedure might result in
great disaster 10 the interests and even
the safety Of our Government and people. The
document submitted 10 the Senate by the Presi-
dent as the outcome OF these negotiations may :,
% Is thought, well Illustrate the dangers OF such
methods.
The majority devotes twenty-odd pages to
the detailed discussion OF the provisions OF the
treaty, but summarizes It's findings and its
opinions briefly at the end. IL makes the follow
Ing comment: 1.-THE committee thinks II due the
senate % state that, contrary Gas IL oeieves) 10
the universal previous practice OF the executive In
connection with the consideration OF treaties
when the senate has asked for all the papers and
Information In detail concerning the progress OF
the negotiations the executive has not thought 1t
for the public interest In this Instance to COM
muDicate all such papers and such detailed infor
nation 10 the senate, although the Senate re-
Quested It, and II was stated In reply 10 the
luton OF request that the deliberations OF the
plenipOtentiartes were In confidence, and that
only results should be announced, and such other
matters the joint prOtocolists should sign under
the direction OF the plenipotentiaries.'"
TIE MAJoRITys SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.
The following Is the majority's summary and
conclusion: 1.-The United states recognize as
British territory and renounce forever all claim OF
independent right IN the great bays along the
British North American coasts named in the
treaty and admit that all such bays form a part OF
re-
jurisdiction The new areas OF ILLUMINATION de-
scribed In the treaty greatly Increases the danger
OF our fishermen Internationally invading pro-
libited waters, and thereby exposing them to
seizures and penalties. The treaty is a complete
surrender Of any claim OF right now existing for
vessels OF the United States In fishing any
where on the high seas, and even having a CON-
merca character also, to enter any port OF British
North America for any commercial purposes what
ever, and puts in the place OF these clear rights
which In respect OF British fishing vessels, exist In
the United states 10 the fullest extent greatly
stricted and conditional rights as arising solely
from a present grant OF Great Britain In the face
o: all this IL leaves British North American fishing
vessels possessed OF all commercial rights In all
Tie ports and waters OF the United States II pro-
vides that general, and even then much limited,
commercial rights and rights or transhipment, as
mentioned in article fifteen, shall be obtained only
al the price OF exempting all Canadian fishery pro-
ducts from our custom duties"
THE MINORITY OF THE COMMITTEE
hold that in accepting the paper sent TO the Senate
by the President as a treaty. and by referring the
waived any informality, II there is any, in the ne
gOtiaiiOn and signing OF the instrument, and the
undersigned conceive that the whole duty or the
committee was 10 consider ana report upon the
merits OF the treaty. The minority then
enter upon a historical and argumentative cOnsid-
Grafton OF the fishery question, and say: ave
seem now to have reached point where we must
seeStO alay the growing bitterness OF these dr.
Terences by a friendly, sincere, and mutually re-
spectful consideration OF the positions assumed
BY each government, or else We must enforce our
views by vigorous measures or retaliation. This
treaty does not bind us 10 advance no claim here
after 10 increased commercial privileges In favor
OF our fishermen The minority finds an impor-
tant precedent for this treaty In the arrangement
offered by Mr.. Seward in 1866 TO the British gov
ernment. The minority do not md IL necessary
to answer In detail the various objections urged
In committee by the senators opposed 10 the rati-
rcatlon OF this treaty, because no amendment
was offered tOtndicate that the treaty could be so
Improved as TO gain the support OF any member
OF the majority OF the committee" In conclusion
the minority say: 1.-THE treaty Is Just and fair
settlement. There Is no fault in the manner OF
its negotiations, and the President has not in any
way exceeded his constitutional powers or With
held any courtesy due the Senate In respect the
agents selected by him 10 conduct negotiations
or In the time or place OF negotiating or conclud-
ing the treaty"