New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-21
A DEFIANT ISLANDER.
FRESH COMPLICATIONS IN NEWFOUNDLAND
. ST. JoWvs MERCHANT IGNORES THE BRITISH
FRENCH MoDUs vIvENDi-GRAViW
op rur sfTr ArION
tny rtttsA.rn 10 TIM THinuNEi

=, tohn's \ June 90 An issue has ARISEN
.ho,plv between the British Government ana the
eoionis,s along the French shore upon the very
first attempt ~ put the modus VlNehdl ~ op'f'-
,,op The tent ~ the modns NNend 'e'laI's
,h,, M los,.r factories not in operation last July
shall ne allowed except by loin' convent oi the
French and tie British naval commanders james
naird a wealthy merchant ot IT John = owns
several factories on the shores oi n "eorgc
Rav ybrrr the French commander oi me gun
-, tnl,e recently interrupted the British fishery
,rd comneII,si the coloniss 20 take up their nets
n, l,a,fd has three factories along the southern
shore Of the hny under one management and oper-
.,ed by the same Sct Of men. As Holsters grow
scarce around one factory he moves his men on
10 the next thus shifting his force from place
to plaoe according ~ the lobster supply varies.
One Of these factories Is NJ Fishcl's Brook IL
was built three years ago. but never he'd been
operated This spring instead Of continuing work
a, the old Mace the men were shifted 10 Fishels
Brook
ON May - Mr. Baird received mcssar ~ from
his manager saying that the British commander
had requested him "a cease work. ~ thc factory
was forbidden by the niodus vvcndi Mr. Baird
submitted the case ~ the Colonial Government
claiming that the circumstances did not come
under the modns vivcndt and Ia any event
the British Government was without the power
10 sfop his business. The Colonial Government
.aid ~ was an Imperial question md II could nor
interfere Mr. Baird replied TO his manager, in
,trnc,ing him that he must 20 on until stopped
BY actual force For ten days things quiet.
hut on June - the manager telcrraphcd mat a
formal notice 20 quit had been served upon him
by the British commander But Mr. Baird de-
clincA ~ Weld He directed his manager 10 90 on
despite the orders until the traps were actually
lifted out by the wsrship. In that event he
was IA demand compensation This was answered
yesterday by telegram. saving British com
mandcr urges submission and promises compcnsa-
ton. Mr. Baird was much pcrplcNed ~ know
On what authority naval officer assures dam
ages for proceedings taken under The authority
Of the British Government. or whT II he u en-
TITLED 10 damages, hc il not also entitled to
pnrsue his business. lie has laid the matte
before the Governor Sir Terence OBricn who.
however Is non-committal.
Mr.. Baird has again instructed his manager
70 continue work, and says he will spend hs
fortune defending his rights
IN is believed that the factory owners have
combined 10 resist the inodus vivendl The as
meet Of affairs Is growing constantly graver. The
French warships are lowering closer than ever
around st Georges Bay. and conflict Is almost
unavoidable. II the colonists are interferei with
nv either England or France Much ugly feeling
exists against England. The Colonial Premier
Sir William whiteway, leaves here In the next
steamer for London.