New-York tribune., 1890-06-06
4 DAMPER on THE LSLANDERS
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING TIE
NEWFOUNM.AND TROUBLE.
SIR JAMES FERGUSON SAYS TIE Fff-N'
ACTIONS IN IT GEORGES BAY WERE JCSii
FIED-A DIFFERENT OPINION
on THE ISLAND.

London. June Sir James FerguSson Paria'hcn'
airy Secretary for the Foreign once. sta'@u }" ,'O
liOnso today that the Government had 0'hcIai '"''
dispatches from Newfoundland stating ua' "ie'c "'.'
been no landing of a French armed force AT y"
Georges Bay or elsewhere the island Inc co''-
mander of the French warship had requested the ic-
mOval Of certain nets (, -. Georges Bay. inc u"
quest Sir James said. was justified NO tlNa'N "'"
been used. The people Of Newfoundland hao "o'
refused 10 pay taxes unless they were supported ~
their position ny tho Government although fe'o"''o"S
relative to tho subject had been adopted
Halifax, y. - June 3.-Eowf0undland he"'P'Pr'N
received by the steamer Miranda last nigh' are MIC"
with fierce articles on the ST. Georges Bay outrage.
giving the latest particular, OF the affair one o ''c'i
saws DARK rs were the ColorS which W. emP"Fc"
painting the picture of the Frcnch On'rase III :"
Georges Bay they were not half black enough 20
faithfully portray the actual scene. wren Inc "''"N"
cuuboat calmly looked On while French man OF war
forbade British subjects 90 nsh III thcH OWL ""'iS
we thought that there could be no circHhls'h'oes
capahIc of adding further discrcdt 10 the reputation
of the British Navy But were misiaReiI ior "nS
outrage upon imperial and colonial rights "aN "s
gravatcd in the highest degree by the 'ircuin''""
of insOcnce and violence which at'cnGN IL P''P'""
ton The Pelican did not merely s"ouiN l" Z"
usurpaon by the French Of title 10 sovereign
dominion in cur waters. but 10 usuTpaton "h'h sue.
cecded not through the employment Of the ar'e "i
diplomacy or strategy. but by the terror~ nsprN DA
the threatening presence OF an armed force i NV
fact that an armed body Of French marines "''' III
their boats 10 the place in the hnrbor oi oa"uH
Point where the nets of the Ncwfondahn H>"o'"''"
were set ard there and then under the very guns
of the Pelican ordered them to be taken ou' oi 'hc
water This was a forcible invasion by foreign
Power of the maritime jurisdiction Of Great hr''"
and Newfoundland. yet il was a. We know a'gu'N''u
in by the commander Of the British manoi war
But there was another outrage Of even mon
aagran character 10 follow. Having usurpcd oar
maritime Jurisdiction. the French next proceed 10
assert behalf Of their nation territorial lnr'~n'''
in Newfoundland. and again they enforce their tn'
righteous claim by force ana arms. i French officer
fully armed came Oh shore AT sandy Point and r'd 10
the assembled British citizens notice commanding
them take up their nets Even ths last aud moro
impudcnt outrage failed 10 stir the blood oi mo
British naval officers 10 resistance. fach one Z" 'S'
acts Of violence constitutes. a. believe, -ueh -
contempt and Invasion ~ British dominion ov"! ie
soil waters Of Newfoundland aS Amounted 'o a
50 far the resistance only passive. but unee.
the pressure Of such WrJns> can We be assured N"
II viii end there ihcy cannot >tsive u,r2 Nus ".l',
FISH and greatly fear that any further interference
resistance Which can harllv BE- bloodlc,,. II ore
drop Of British blood Is shed ~ li, quarrel We KNOW
that the heart Of Newfoundland VIII burn 10 ave- -
IT, on the events q! the next few DAYS hang ,hr
issues Of hfc and death IN th- country Ms '"uip
has endured wrongs ln the past and Der loyalty
to Britain ha> never suffered the least dimin1tl"ii
but II The blood OF her sons }, >pllt ana brhi, o'"
ON the sacrifice. fetr fhaf the lDns N1' 'l
two ccntur!c- NAV "a" sucuched In ih" h1~'ms ~ "u'
people W. are lmIcllcd by -acrrd sense II dn''
and a passionate love Of pcarc t. speak th"sr plan
and emphatic words of warning. Nothing lu 900
Immediate assurance that fall at"ncn"nt VIII ~ o,'
be made for this injury Will appca>c the anger ~ the
people IF st. Georges Bay. And II they are allowed
Ia suifor wrong without rccres. the people on me
cher pa,s Of the thorc who Into collision wit
French WIN oniT TOO probably tahc tho Ia -ntp
hands
!, depuaiiOa from the French shore Committee
waited upon the Governor ~ Newfoundland with .
memorial for presentation 10 the Queen tn" petition
Is 40 feet long and contains 5000 -ignaiurc>