New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-19
l,nox srArr CONFECTIONERY Or TIE TRIBvxE.l
AMERICA FOR AMERICANS.

,ynov STAFF CORRESPONDENT oF THE TRIBUNE
ST Johns Newfoundland, June ll.-Since
the St. Georges Bay incident nothing has oc-
CURED along the French shore TO infiame inc
racial and commercial animosties which nave
been excited by the modus vivendi. They are
still ardent, however, and may break out anew
at almost any moment. The French are behaving
with great tact and discretion and, without ylein-
ing an iOta Of what they consider to De their
treaty rights, they are avoiding all opportunities
for open contention. The policy Of the French
naval commanders is admirable. They are M
the greatest pains to preserve cordial relations
with the British commanders and TO ADOPT To-
ward the coonists the attitude OF patent ana
forbearipQ friends That new conflicts are bound
10 arise cannot be doubted for the Newfound-
landers feel that their only hope OF escaping the
French yoke lies in agitation and resistance lhey
say they have been too long submissive Inc
fishermen. though naturally brave and hardy, are
still an ignorant people. and they nave been
trained for centuries 10 observe most respectful
demeanor toward the French men-of-war. The
British naval officers have been hanpered by IN
structions which left them little or no discretion
TO protect the fisheries, for England, while de-
nvinr the French claims has never been willing
10 make an issue upon them She has always
counselled the colonists to keep out of the way
any conflict The great bulk of the colonial
fishing feet is owned by the merchants of this
city, and they have not wanted to risk the losses
that were likely to result from resistance.
French vessel could at any time possess itself OF
the spot where an English schooner was hshln9
merely by coming up and demanding that her
rival should quit and 60 of. ms, however
humilating, has been the only course left TO the
colonists in view of the part England has played
1t has been enforced time and time again uhuef
the very guns of British cruisers
This has not been due to cOwardCe nor 70 the
motives generally ascribcd by the colonists in
their complaints against the mother country
They consider that England has been Indifferent to
their msfortunes and has bartered their cause
for French concessions in Egypt and elsewhere
But the simple fact is that British statesmen are
deporably hampered by the treaties TO which they
were committed generations AFRO. The treaties are
not clear. but they seem to mean more nearly what
the French claim than what the colonists claim,
and English warships come here to notify and not
10 protest. A more awkward situation would
be hard to find in any quarter of the globe 1t
is impossible not to sympathize with these col
onists and not TO feel that diplomacy should De
equal to the task of Obtaining for them the full
sovereignty of their shores, especially in view OF
The fact that they so much need To extend tnelr
industrial activity and that the opportunities 10
extend it in mining and timber operations are 81
numerous and promising. On the ofher hahn' IT
is impossible not 10 perceive that the treates
sneak in frances favor ard not TO feel that if she
once allows them TO be broken down as to the
French shore, she deals fatal blow al her fish
cry industry The French shore rights are I'M
Guestionably a defence 10 her colonies IN ~.
Pierre and Miquelon, and the one cannot De
abandoned without loss and danger to the other.
The present Government of Newfoundland is
led by Sir William Whiteway, sagacloGs and
experienced politician. He came into Office
upon purely local issues only last December.
The conduct Of the fisheries dispute, which has
gone on actively for the last five years. has been
in the ha nds OF Sir Robert Thorburn, the present
leader Of the Opposition. The parties do not
differ in ,heir French shore policy. They place
the same Interpretation on the treaties and hold to
the same plan of getting rid of the French. Sit
William is carrying forward the policy in
augurated by Sir Robert though, according 70
the Opposition, with far too little spirit. In
talking with Sir Robert yesterday he clearly de
fined the colonial position. | asked him to say
Just what he considered the rights of the French
10 be.
AS l read the treaties" replied Sir Robert.
these are their rights-these and no more they
can eaten cOunSn along lIdJ snOre IRON Ndpt
ST. John northward 10 the most northery point
of the island. and thence along the western coast
southwark to Cape Ray. They can land anywhere
on the shore thus defined and can cure and dry
their fish Their further rights are incidental
TO these They can erect temporary huts and
fakes or stages which platforms made
of boards and covered with boughs. They can
take the timber necessary for this purpose, and
in such competition as our fishermen carry in
those waters they must not interfere with the
French"
Then YOU hold that you have a concurrent
right 10 do everything which is allowed 10 them
Certainly and no scrap Of writing exists
which in any way defines their rights as exclusive.
How can they be when, in 1918, England gave
q similar right TO fish TO the Americans. The
French right was granted in its present form in
1888, and renewed in 1915. Now, if il eX-
elusive, how could England give the fishing part
of it to America? How could she confer an
other that which she had alienated from herself"
Well, suppose you are fishing in place
and they in another and suppose yOn are having
good-luck and they none at all, and suppose they
come where you are and say they want 10 fish
there-what them"
That shore is 500 miles long. The treaty in
saying that the British must not interfere with
the French, did not contemplate the right of n
French fisherman to demand the exact spot which
British subject had previously occupied II is
to be construed according to the laws of common
sense They can fish and dry their fish on the
strand and we tust not bother them or injure
their property. 1t may also be said that an en-
gagement which gives rights to an alien over the
people resident within the territory 10 which the
rights appertan should he construed literally
as to the alien and literally TO the sovereign
people. The foreigner should be content with
what is obviously his and should not demand
that the treaty be stretched to the disadvantage
and as in this case 10 the total exclusion OF the
lords of the soil"
be admitted by France, would that satisfy yOu ?"
"No; nothing will satisfy us except the COM
of.a III the French shnre nrivilencs