New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-02
NEWFOUNDLAND'S REVOLT.
THE COLoNISTS DEFYING GREAT BRITAIN
TO ENFORCE TIE MODUS vIvENDI.
VIGOROUS WORDS IN TIE ADDRESS TO THE
oUEEN-THE COLONIAL POLICY DC
TATED BY THE OPPOSITION.
ROM s.r, corxrsroypxsroF TRIBUNE

Zoo STRONGLY to say that the coonists here are
openly de1ying the British authority. They de-
cline to respect the nodus vivendi and IN several
instances have invited British naval officers to
enforce il if they can OF dare. Up to the present
time the naval authorities have done nothing more
terrible than to issue proclamations in which the
vague threat is made that unless the person ad-
dressed shall at once suspend operations, he VIII
render himself liable TO be dealt with according
20 the instructions issued TO Her MaJestys ofncelS
of the Navy What these instructions are the
proclamations omit TO say, nor are they indicated
by any action of the Imperial authorities. IN
no case has the Imperial voice been obeycd, and
yet Sir Baldwin Walker preserves an imoasslve
face and an inactive hand. The tame way III
which he has met these candid defances has LED 10
the suspicion that he is not authorized by his IN
structions to do anything more than demand ana
protest. There are not less than sixty BRUSH
lobster factories which have been put up along
the so-callcd French shore since July l, 1881
The uodus vivcndl says that no factory. BritisO
or French not in operation before that date can
operate during the season OF 1890. Inc brltlsh
gulbOat Pelican visited each Of these SIXTY facto-
rles in May, warning them that they must not
open. They did open, and they were then warned,
some of them several times, that they must close
But they dauntlessly continue TO catch and can
the British cruisers. and thus far nothing has
been done to interrupt them forcibly. There is
no doubt that they have combined for selt-pro-
lection. and that their rebellous attitude Is duc
10 an understanding. They propose to force the
British warshps ~ assume the responsibility OF
taking M their traps, and then they will remove
the contest TO the courts and sue the British Gov
eminent for damages.
In this position they are sustained By the Pro-
vincial Government and Legislature. The Colo
NAL Address to the Queen. which was submitted
by the Premier, Sir William Whteway TO his
Parliament and unanimously adopted, has Just
been published 1t is remarkable document,
couched in no very humble or gentle terms. 1t
denounces the modus vivcndi severely. and de-
clares it unlawful, unreasonable and inconsistent
with the position England has maintained for
full century. 1t then proceeds 10 make these
pertinent observations which certainly savor OF
rebellion rather than Of submission:
The mOdus vvendi was thus concluded without
the assent of this colony Notwithstanding lhe
tary of State Mr Laboucherc, March %, 1870,
10 The elect that The rights at present enjoyed
by the community OF NcwlOundland are not 10 ne
coded or exchanged without their assent, ana
that the constitutional mode of submitting meas
ures for that assent is by bringing them before
the Colonial Legislature, and that the consent nj
by Her MajeStys Government as The essential
preliminary to any modification Of their terri
toria maritime rights.
We beg further hnmbly to submit that there
is no law under which the French are permitted
TO erect lobster factories on any part OF the coast
OF Newfoundland, nor is there any law 10 pre-
vent British SUBJECTS from exercising fishing and
nll other rights on the whole coast of this island,
including lobster catching and canning and the
erection of buildings for that purpose.
From this it follows that solely by force en-
ercised either by Your Majes'ys or the french french
fact hs. lobster
factories be prevented.
II the Naval or Military forces of either country
were act without any sanction of law In dealing
with this question, could ii be matter of surprise
il British subjects in Newfoundland, seeing their
fisheries handed over TO foreigners their mines,
minerals and lands locked away from their u.s.,
and their other Industries hGmperet. BY the action
of the French nation, were melted to acts OF
retaliation?
1t is 10 be remarked that thc stifest portions
of the Colonial Address were adopted at the sug-
gestion of the Hon. Moses Monroe, one of the
leaders of the Opposition. Indeed they al
most forced upon the Government. The Truth
is that the Opposition has led the way all along
in this fight Tor colonial rights and the Govern
ment has followed nimhly, 1t is true, for il could
not afford 10 hang back too palpably in an affair
so important, but not without Cns of reluctance
and petulance. Sir William Whitcway has not
shown is patriotic side, nor has he seemed 10
be politically spacious. His hand has been forced
by the Opposition at every point and he has sub
mitted apparently only because he saw that tie
people were really aroused. Sir Williams po-
stion is probably one of some little embarraSs-
ment. He has protested that the mOdus vivcndi
eame upon him a surprise Perhaps it did but
Immediately after the elections and before he took
office-that is in December last-hc sum
moned TO England for the purpose of assisting III
the negotiation of a modus. lie did not 90, but
Sir James Ferguson has more than limited that
he was kept informed of the progress Of the ne
Cotiation and that he knew the direction in which
its results were tending. The fact probably is
that Sir William did not realize the true feelings
of his people. lie did not appreciate how much
in earnest they were, and how faint a spark would
he required 10 intiane them. IL Is almost certain
that he committed himself to the British Govern
ment TO support the modus and consequently, when
it arrived, ,and when, in instant the country
arose in arms against it, and when the Oppo>i-
tion shrewdly assuming the leadership of the pop
ular movement, began to ask him questions, Sir
William was surprised, aogrieved and chagrincd.
He dodged the responsibility rather cievcTly, but
instead of at once pushing TO the front as the
leader of the people, which, even then, he might
easily have done, for he had come into power
upon a popular tidal wave, still he sulklly held
aloof. The Opposition, under the guisc of public
spirited citizens, were permitted - conduct all
the uasS-meetings, 10 send delegates 10 England
and Canada and to give shape and purpose 10
the popular demand. The responsible Government
which now undertakes 10 enforce that demand Will
he judged not by what il may accomplish TO the
betterment of the present situation but by what
it fails 10 accomplish Of the full plan defined by
Mr. Monroe and the Rev James Winter, rie
leaders of the Opposition. They have been al
lowed TO set the mark at which the Government
must aim, and unless that mark is attained Sir
William stands poor show Of securing Parha-
mentary approval
1t is only fair to say that candid observer
can doubt that the Opposition, although, Of
course they have not lost sight Of their political
ADVANTAGE are entirely sincere in their proposals.
They have set for the Government task no