New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-20
BOND HAS HIS WAY.
NEWFOUNDLAND INSISTS THAT HER TREATY
BE APPROVED.
EvEN AGAINST THE pEEMIEHs OPPOSITION
COLONIAL. SECRETARY BOND Is sUS
TANNED AND ANOTHER is ADDED 10

e. Johns " F., March 9.-Thc rceo.
lu,ions of our Legislature adopted February
l3 In reference to the reciprocity convention
between this colony and the United States, IN
which serious charges were made against lne
British Government. have had The elect OF draw
ing from Lord hnGtaford dispatch intended 10
satisfy the colony that in permitting Mr.. Bono
70 90 70 Washington TO negotiate reciprocity
treaty, and in refusing TO ratify il, the british
Government he'd acted wisely and with every re-
gard TO honor and honesty and the interest OF
the Empire. This dispatch arrived from England
By the last mail, and was promptly laid on the
table of the House of Assembly.
1t states that although the negotiation of
treaties between an individual colony and Tor
ern nation is often permitted by the Home Govern
ment the contents of such arrangements are al
ways renewable and must he considered in the
light of the interests of the whole Empire IL
recalls the trade convention concluded between
the United States and the British West Indian
colonies in 1850, observing that in that cnee, as
in the present case OF Newfoundland, II was amer
much examination found that the convention
could not, in the form in which 1t would DC &C
ceptable TO the United States and the colonies, be
negotiated consistently with Imperial Obligations
and policy" H. then furnishes this history OF
Alr Bonds negotiations:
The wish of the Newfoundland Government
for a separate trade and fishery arrangement with
the United States had been brought before Her
MaieSty's Government in February. 1890. They
promised to consider the question with Sir w. V.
Whitcway after his arrival in England and after
explanations had been received from him a letter
intrOducing Mr. Bond was addressed TO Her Ma
jeSty's Minister at Washington on the Sth Of Aug
ust, 1890, in which Sir Julian PauncefOtc was
informed that MIR. Bond was commissioned by the
Newfoundland Government to communicate to him
their views and wishes with regard TO the desired
arrangement.
After comforting with Mr.. Bond, Sir j. Pauncc
fote introduced him To Mr.. Blaine, and also sub
mitted informally to Mr.. Blaine, at his request,
the draft OLA convention which would meet the
views of the Newfoundland Government.
"The time had then arrived for considering how
far that convention might affect other interests
than those of Newfoundland, and the Government
of Canada, as being, of course, principally inter.
csted consulted. As you are aware the Do
minion Government at once pointed cut the injury
20 Canadian interests which would result from the
conclusion of distinct arrangement, whereby
tie United States would secure an important ad
vantage, in consideration of which Canada as
well Newfoundland had on previous occasions
obtained material concessions from the United
States; and il also became apparent that the
United States Government was not disposed to eX-
tend TO Canada the same limited arrangement as it
might be willing to adopt in the case Of New
foundand alone.
IL therefore determined TO consider whether
pari passu with the Newfoundland negotiations
an arrangement for reciprocity n broader basis
between Canada and the United States could be
negotiated; and until it has become more dcin-
itely aScerained whether this latter negotiation
pop no
must rman in allegiance"
Mr.. Bond having presented this dispatch 10 the
House, "girded up his lOins" and went for"
Lord Kuutsford in vigorous style. He submitted
series of resolutions in q long and able speech,
in which he gave q full account of the crcum-
stances which led TO his mission TO Washington,
the powers with which ne had been Entrusted by
the British Government, his interviews with Sir
Julian Pauncefote aud his negotiations with Mr.
Blaine. In opposition 10 Lord Knutsfords pres
enation of the case, he insisted that he had been
clothed with official authority and empowered to
negotiate treaty; and in all good faith believ-
ing this, he bad acted accordingly. lie argued
that he had not been a mere agent or messenger
10 interview Sir Julian Pauncefote and convey to
him certain information as TO the views and
wishes of the Newfoundland Government:
hut that lie had been formally appointed
10 negotiate a trade convention with the
United states. Further, he affirmed that in
July the fun text of this convention
had been submitted TO the British Government,
who assented TO its terms. which had not been
departed from afterward by him. And yet when
this convention had been assented TO by Mr.
Blaine. the British Government had, at the in
stance of Canada, refused to ratify it, lie con-
tended that if such convention were to be
submitted to Canada before ratification. that
I,o,-n hoo, 4lo
after negotiations were completed. He made a
heavy attack on Lord knutsford. because as he
alleged. he had recommended him TO 90 a second
time TO Washington, in November. for the pur-
pose as he was led TO believe. of concluding the
convention, while he had previously acquesced
in the protest Of Canada and had thus sent him
on FOOLS errand. He read an extract from
letter TO Sir Julian Pauncefote, which also con-
tanned q draft of the convention. This part he
did not read, as he considered it would not be
proper to make public this document ill it had
been either ratified or rejected. lie concluded by
submitting series of resolutions. which, after
recting the main points of his speech and re-
iterating the earlier condemnation of the House
on the British Government, declare that in the
opinion of this House. the time for considering
how far that convention might affect other inter
eSts than those of Newfoundland had arrived,
when, in July, 1890, full text of the Draft
Convention was submitted to Her Maesys Gov
ernnent by the delegates, and not after formal
negotiations had been entered into with the United
States and the Draft Convention agreed TO-" and
that Her MajesJy's Government are in honor
bound to complete the negotiations which were
entered upon and concluded, SO far as this colony
is concerned, i'll good faith"
Opposition was offered to the resolutions on
the ground that the difficulty involved a question
OF verify between tie Colonial Secretary and Her
Macstys Minister, and that all the facts and
papers not being available the House was not
able to decide il. But the resolutions prevailed,
after long debate. by an overwhelming majority
II seems to me that Mr.. Bond. in the resolutions
which lie proposed, failed entirely to substantl-
ate his charge of Implicitly against Lord Knuts-