New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-24
THE FISHERY CONVENTION.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN NEwFOUND.
LAND AND GREAT BRITAIN.
THE CoLoNY's INDIGNATION AT THE HOME
GOVERNMENTS FAILURE TO RATIFY
TIE ARRANGEMENT.

London, March 23.-The correspondence between
the Governments Of Newfoundland and Great Britain
on the proposed fishery convention between Newound-
land and the United states Is published. The dis
patches extend from February 1890, TO March. 1901.
The first communication is letter from sir John
OBrien, Governor Of Newfoundland, u Lord Knuts-
ford the Imperial Colonial Secretary in which the
Governor gives the minutes Of the Newfoundland Ex-
ccutive Council In favor of separate arrangement
with the United States Of fishery and commercial
questions as opposed to cooperation with Canada.
Lord Knustord on April 1o, 1890, assentS to New
foundland's negotiating directly with the Government
at Washington. sir Charles Upper. october %,
1900 protests against the departure from the old policy
OF treating the fishery question requiring unity Of
action between Newfoundland and Canada, and Sir
John Macdonald cables that the Dominion ought to be
included in any arrangement.
Lord KnutsfOrd, November 4, 1890, cables that
Mr. Bond the Colonial Secretary Of Newfoundland, has
no powers TO negotiate, and that the Government had
communicated with Sir Julian Pauncefotc in regard
10 the Dominions desire to be included any
ment. Sir Julian Pauncefotc, october 10, 1890,
telegraphed that Mr.. Blaine had received Mr.. Bond
unoficially and had had long interview with him,
the result of which was the drafting Of convention
by Sir Julian Pauncefote. copy Of this convention
sent to Lord Stanley, the GOvernorGcnea OF Canada,
elected cable dispatch from The GoveinOr-Gcn
November 10, stating that Canada viewed the con-
ventiOn with the utmost alarm and strongly protested
against the signing of It,
Messages from Sir John O'Brien urge that there be
delay in signing the convention, contend that New
foundland ought not TO be involved in Canadian dis
putes and appeal TO the Imperial Government not to
subject the colony to trading disabilities TO the ad-
vantage Of Canada Lord Knutsord in response holds
that the convention cannot be made exclusively In
Newfoundland's interests.
Finally, January 90, 1891, Lord KnusfOrd cablcd
to Sir John O'Brien that the Imperial Government
compelled maintain the delay of the ratification
Of the convention. The dispatch refers to tho
French shore difficulty, the depressed condition Of
Newfoundland, and tho importance Of opening up the
colony's resources, and oilers to guarantee railway
loan and to send commission TO inquire into the re-
of the colony but adds that before applying
to Parliament to sanction loan the Imperial Gov
would require assurance That the colony would
cooperate in adjusting the controversy with France.
on February 10, the Newfoundland Government re-
sponded that they could not comprehend Lord knuts-
ford's withdrawal from distinct and positive undcr>
standing, declaring that the Imperial Government was
DELAYING the ratification of the convention In sub
servlence to Canadian politics. 10 ruin the prospects OF
the colony and demanding an explicit answer, yes or
no. in order that the fate Of the colony might be known
and appropriate action be taken. Lord knut>fold
cablcd that he adhered 10 the decision. and that he
rogIetted the language which the Newfoundland Min
isters thought lit to use
Sir John O'Iren having sent the resolutions Of the
two houses Of the Newfoundland Legislature, LoN
Knutsford I'm a final dispatch on March -. contcnded
that Mr. Bonds instructions when in Washington IN
uow!se implied that the convention could then be con
Guided that Mr. Bond with1ut reference to sir julian
PaunCcfOtc had had several interviews with Mt
Blaine, the result being remodcling Of the cQnvcn
ton as prepared by Sir Julian PauncefoIe that Nj
Julian Paunccfote January g., and that this fact
though known to the Newfoundland Ministers, had not
bcen stated to the Newfoundland Legislature. Lord
KnutsOId regrets that the Legislature recorded an III
accurate view of the transactions.