New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-20
Az UNOFFICIAL AMBASSADOR.

Onr St. Johns correspondent, through whom
orr roaders are being so intclligently informed
Of the progress of Newfoundland remaikaOie
controversies, writes us this morning an inter
esting account OF how the Colonial Assembly
bas received the British Government : reasons
for refusing 10 ratify the Reciprocity treaty
NEGOTIATED last summer between the colony ana
this country. It is easy to see, aside from the
questions of veracty raised by the Colonial Sec
rotary. MIR. Bond, against Lord knutsiord,
where the British Ministers made their mex
cusoble mistake. Lord Knutsford says that
carly in 1890 the St. Johns Cabinet proposed
70 him the making of trade convention with
the United States Sir William Whteway. the
Newfoundland Premier, had been invited
"home" to discuss the French Shore moduS
yiyendi. and he was advised that when he ar
rived the subject of an American treaty would
also be discussed. lie did arrive early IN June
Mr.. Bond following him closely, and it is agreed
that Lord knutsior1 was fully advised as TO
what the colony wanted, and that he consented
| that Mr.. Bond should 90 to Washington to see
if it could be got There is a radical difference
between his Lordship and Mr.. Bond as to the
character of the embassy, Mr.. Bond declaring
| that he went officially, as the second officer OF
| the Newfoundland Government and with full
| authority, conferred by Lord Knutsford' to make
the treaty. This Lord Knutsford denies, insist
| ing that Mr. Bond had no official quality what
ever his GRAND being to Sir Julian Paunceiote.
Here is an immense difference, but it appears
| conclusive that Lord Knutsford understood that
MIR. Bond was to facilitate in one way or an
other treaty by which the United States were
| 20 Observation-Disclosures tchprV nynOrts
and in return the United States were TO obtain
| in Newfoundland q base of operations for their
own fishermen. Knowing this, and consenting
TO have it facilitated if not negotiated, Lord
Knutsford was either playing with Mr. Bond,
| sending him off to do something here and
intending TO checkmate him when he got here
| or he was playing with the United States and
France leading us to think we could obtain
base of supplies and France to think it would
be furnished to us, thus working us to coerce
France with regard to the French Shore nego-
| tiations without intending TO come to any ar
| rangement with us at all-or he was engaged in
| both these artfu, enterprises. This is we ad-
| nit, a sharp attack on his Lordship's political
| candor, but we must find him deficient in either
| candor or wit, and he has no great reputation
| for dulness. 10 suppose him entirely far IN
his attitude toward Mr.. Bond involves the be-
| lief that he didn't know that the arrangement
Newfoundland desired 10 propose to us was sure
of Canadian opposition, and how could he fail
to know that? l. was practically settlement
of the Atlantic fisheries difficulty. 1t gave us
| in Newfoundland conveniently to orr fishing
grounds, all We had vainly asked of Canada :;
and although this did Canada no wrong and
denied her no right, i: took from her her strong
est weapon against the United States 1t was
only necessary to know Sir John Macdonald to
! know that he would never consent to be robbed