Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-26
A Conflict Impending Between the Fren
and English.

A Conflict Impending Between the French
and English.
ST. JOHNS IN. b., May 25th.-The great
est excitement prevails here, the last two
French outrages on the st. Johns popula.
ton having driven the people almost to the
verge of desperation. All along the coast
known as the French shore. which extends
from Cape st. John to Cape Ray, the fishing
and farming population is arming, while
agents have arrived here to purchase guns
and ammunition to supply the crews of
Newfoundland fishing vessels. The present
outlook is serious. Unless the British
Government takes immediate action to re-
scind the recent arbitration arrangement.
which gives France territorial rights for
forty miles and inland on the coast named.
it is not improbable that the whole coun.
try will be in open revolt in the near
future.
The excitement grows out of the French
outrsges on Friday at Port au BASQUE, 800
miles from st. Johns, the most westerly
settlement of importance on the island, and
the barbarous treatment of the crew of a
schooner which was aground, at the han ds
of Frenchmen, who beat the mate so badly
that he may die.
Open hostilities are momentarily an
ticipated between armed fishing vessels of
ANCWAouhoAaha anu 4iodCC, as tucIc dTt
French men-of-war on the coast who will
not respect the British flag. The result of
such action would be disastrous to the st,
Johns fishermen.
HALIFAX IN. 81, May 25th.-It is re-.
ported that two of the English war ships
now here have been instructed to sail with
sealed orders for the scene of trouble. 1t
is also reported that the war ship Pelican,
now cruising in the Gulf of ST. Lawrence,
has received similar instructions.
MONTREAL. May 25th.-The Newfound-
land delegates at present here for the pur-
pose of obtaining Canadian support in their
demands on the British Government for
the prevention of French aggressions on
the fishermen, are greatly excited over the
fresh outrages. D. G. Green, q member of
the Newfoundland Government, who heads
the delegation, says that the English Gov
ernment has been making more and more
concessions to France, until now the latter
country has full control of the coast, in
stead of being allowed current rights with
British subjects, as ordained in former
treaties.
ANOTHER VERSION.
ST. JOHNS IN. F., May 25th.-Reports
have been received from St. Georges Bay
on the east coast of the island, forming
part of what is known as the French Shore,
now in dispute between England and
France, that fresh outrages have been COM
mitted on English fishermen by the
French, and that the coast from Cape Ray
north to Cape st. George is in a state of war
almost.
A French man-of-war, cruising in the
Bay of st. George watching the coast over
which France, by treaty, claims the exclu-
sive fishing privileges, ran down several
English fishermen who were setting nets,
and ordered them to take up their nets.
The Englishmen refused, whereupon the
Frenchmen sent the boats crews and re-
moved the nets by force, confiscating
them.
The fishermen went ashore, called a
meeting of friends, and passed resolutions
protesting against the Frenchmen's action,
which were telegraphed hither, and thence
cabled to England. They also resolved to
rebegln fishing operations, and, if interfered
with, to arm themselves and fight the
French.
The news, on being received last night,
caused the widest excitement. Public in
dignation meetings were held, and stirring
resolutions passed demanding that Epg-
land protect Newfoundland in her rights.
and also to require France to give compen-
sation for the outrage at once.
Late last night orders were received by
Captain Sir Baldwin Walker commanding
the man-of-war Emerald, of twelve guns, to
proceed at once to St Georges Bay and look
after the interests of the English fishermen
there. 1t will take her two days to reach
the scene of the outrage. Before leaving an
endeavor was made to learn from Sir Bald
win the details of his instructions, but he
declined.
He said, however, significantly: "rm
ordered to protect the English fishermen
and Englands rights. How l will do it l
don't know until | get to st. Georges
When the man-of-war left the harbor
thousands of people cheered tumultuously.
There is great excitement here, and the
outcome is awaited with intense anxiety.