New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-04
ALMOST READY TO FIGHT.
NEWFOUNDLAND DETERMINED TO OUSF
FRANCE WITHOUT SACRIFICING
INDEPENDENCE.
ENGLISH DICTATION RESENTED BY THA


tFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF The TRIBUSEl
st. Johns, Newfoundland, June as.
Unless the British Government shall soon OBJ
tain better and clearer comprehension than ID
now has of the Newfoundland case it seems quito
idle to hope for any permanent or satisfactory adj
lstncnt with France. The attitude OF Lord
Salisbury and Lord Knutsford is fast congealing
British ardor here, and upon all sides open threats
of secession are heard II il were not for tho
fact that the colonial demand is warmly sup
ported by the British press and by almost every
conspicuous politician outside Of the Government
thesa threats would long ago have been expressed
in some startling manner.
Sir William Whiteway, the Newfoundland Pre-
uiacr, and the Hon. A. w. Harvey, the most In
fuential member Of his Cabinet, left yesterday
for England. Their farewells were not said In
very hopeful spirit. Sir William keeps his own
counsel and except for sundry hints that his sue
cess has been imperilled by the indscreet talk
of the peoples delegates, Sir James Winter, Mr..
Scott and Mr. Morinc now in London. he gives no
sign of what is to be done. Probably he is as ig-
norant on that point as other people-such, ao
least is the general opinion. Nor is any heed
given TO his reflections upon the work accom-
pshed by Sir James and his associates. They
are thought to be dictated by mere partisanship
league. Mr. Harvey, who freely admits that in
educating English statesmen as to the issue ana
in arousing public sentiment in aid Of the colony
the delegates have performed notable public
service, which must be of great value in the settle
mont of this question. With equal frankness,
However, Mr. Harvey declares that he has not
much hope of inducing Great Britain to act with
resolution Strange it may appear, he says
the ONLY effect that all this exhibition Of irrlta-
ton in the colony and of national feeling at home
has had upon the Colonial Office has been 10
make il more pcremptOry in its directions against
interfering with the French. mo Newfoundland
Government said Mr. Harvey, just before he
left has ever received such stern and unsym-
patbetic orders They do not seem to me TO bode
a favorable issue of our trouble.
This is not the tone in which Sir James Winter
writes from England lie comedies that the uo'-
crnmcnt has been distant and cold toward him
His first interview with Lord Knutsford was most
satisfactory. He felt that he had succeeded IN
overcoming the Governments prejudices to him
and his colleagues personally on account OF their
want of official responsibility and he was sure
ne had convinced Lord Knutsford that 1t was I'm
possible for Ncwfoundlanders 10 live IN peace
with the French unless the French shore were
fully restored TO the colony. A second interview
was promised him, but as yet he has not oeen
able 70 obtain il. Nor has he succeeded In gettinS
into the august presence Of Lord Salisbury lhas
overgreat parsonage, II appears, Is diihcu' W
come at and the ceremony ana red-taPe wiz"
which Sir James has been pestered IN his ehor's
to get the ear of the Government have aHec@o
his health and his legs. But not bis spirits.
lie is still full Of hope and does not hesitate to say
that with the press, the people and the pubho
men of England all behind him Sir William
Whiteway cannot fail TO win. If only he maintaiss
a firm and consistent position
Meanwhile the situation along the French shore
continues ominous Indeed, It's ugly features
multiply daily. What have already said OF the
aenteness. patience and simplicity Of the New
foundlanders in general is trebly trne OF the
French shore population. They have grown up
with the fact ever before their minds. witnessed
by the constant presence along their coasts OF
French cruisers. that they possess no definite or
nermanent rights in their soil or their waters
This in natures as simple as theirs land OF the
extent of this simplicity il is almost Impossible 10
convey n full impression 10 American minds. hn
hitherto acted not as rrtant but as sedative.
Being without prospects, they have been withous
hopes, and they might have continued IN thls
feeble and submissive state OF mlnd but Tor the
recent growth Of the lobster industry. ms mas
brought the merchants Of st. Johns TO the frencn
shore and with them came a general interest In
the development Of the western country its
large mineral deposits long believed in by few,
were now proved to exist by Government sur
veyors and engineers, and all the DISSATISFACTION
with the French encumbrance, which had pre-
viouslv existed among small portion of the
population, was suddenly revived and communi-
Gated TO the whole people. 1t easily overbore
the feeling of a few who had been profit'ng by
the French relation, and it has now Transformed
these simple-minded fishermen into race OF en-
thusiastic patriots. eager to participate In any
enterprise. no matter how lawless. that promises
TO bring nearer the good times which tney an
tcipate as the result of driving ont the rrehcn'
Already number OF petty feuds nave Sroken
ont between the fishermen of the two races
nsuallv nreeipitated BY some sort of aggressive
copduct on the part of the French The agita-
ton SO resolutey maintained BY the colonis's ~