The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-22
The Newfoundland Trouble.

The Newfoundland trouble
The attitude which the people OF New
foundlaud have assumed toward England
presents very grave and delicate question
for the English government % handle. And
the English government u 1derstand that it
is question which cannot be settled sum-
marily and arbitrarily. There is not the
most kindly feeling ia Newfoundland
for England, and very slight excuse would
be sufficient to induce the people to revolt
against highlands authority.
Newfoundland, as is well known, is an
independent colony. 1t has its own par
Lament and governor. the governor, how
ever, being appointed by England. When
the Canadian confederation was formed it re-
fused to enter into it, preferring to have con-
troll Of its own affairs, except In 50 far as it
acknowledged allegiance to England The
colonial Office in London has generally as
scented to whatever was proposed by the
colonial cabinet. Aud when the
colonial cabinet proposed TO make
reciprocity treaty with the
United States. the colonial Office as
scented to the proposition. But the treaty
was not ratified by the English government
for the reason it is believed, that Canada
intrigued successfully against ratification.
The refusal to ratify the treaty angered the
people of Newfoundland, aud caused them
to talk about setting up an Independent gov
eminent or to seek annexation to the
United States.
Being in this frame of mind they are dis
posed to make all the trouble they can for
England in the pc ding dispute between
themselves and France, and even threaten
to revolt if England does not sustain them
in their dispute with France.
The question between Newfoundland and
France which is causing 50 much uneasiness
in English governmental circles Is this: Long
ago, by treaty, France was granted por-
ton of the coast of Newfoundland
for the exclusive use of her fishermen. The
people of Newfoundland object to the ex-
elusive use of any part of her coast by fish
ermen who owe allegiance to France. They
insist upon disobeying the treaty, and dis
lodging the Frenchmen. France, however.
will not permit them to be disturbed, and
has war vessels in the vicinity to protect
them in their treaty rights.
England wishes to abide by the treaty,
and bill has been introduced into parlia-
ment, called the Kuutsford bill, the purpose
of which is to coerce the people of New
fouudland into respecting the treaty. 1t
gives the colonial parliament a chance to
supply the necessary power to secure the
enforcement of the treaty. II that parlia-
ment fails to take advantage of the chance,
then the bill is to be enforced.
In the meantime England is trying to
arrange with France a satisfactory settle
ment Of the troublesome question, but she
is not meeting with much success. France
insists that the treaty shall be respec ed in
each minute particular. A fragrant viola
ton Of the treaty in the present temper Of
the contending parties would, of course,
mean war.
The position which England occupies is
by no means an enviable one. If she takes
sides with France and upholds the treaty
the people Of Newfoundland may revolt and
assume the responsibility of disregard
ing it. If she upholds the people of
Newfoundland she will have a war with
France on her hands. And to further com.
plcate the situation the trouble is being
made an issue between the two great parties
in England. What the outcome will be il
is. of course, impossible to predict with any
degree of certainty. A delegation of New
foundlanders is hurrying to London to place
Newfoundland's side Of the matter before
the English government, but it is doubtful
if anything the delegation can say will help
England out of the difficulty in which she
finds herself. Unless France consents tc
accept some sort of compensation for her
treaty rights on the Newfoundland coast
and abandons those rights, there may be
hostilities between England and France.