The record-union., 1891-04-17

take measures to prevent his subjects
from interrupting the French fishermen
by competition during the temporary ex-
ercise of their rights upon the shore. And
the stupid old King added:
The King will, for this purpose, cause the
liked settlements which shall be formed there
TO be removed. The method of carrying on
the fishery, which has at all times been ac-
knowledged, shall be the plan upon which the
fishery shall be carried on there. 1t shall not
be deyiated from by either party.
AT that time this island was wilder
ness. But inside of thirty years the non
settlement laws were evaded, and early
sprang up. England yielded and per-
mitted immigration, and recognized as
colonists those who had been squatters.
Towns grew up, and the fishery interests
expanded, and the fishery headquarters
shifted from England to Newfoundland.
England appointed officials for the island,
but very soon the colonists gained the
right to make their own laws.
In the meantime the French estab-
lished large colony on the island st.
Pierre, defying the provision against
building. They built, in fact, large
city, and set up small navy, despite the
treaty agreement to have but fifty armed
men. AS an offset to this, the English
colonized the French shore reserve, and
towns grew up all along it. Presently
the Colonial Government recognized
these colonies and gave them representa-
ton in the Colonial Legislature.
Next the resources of the interior were
discovered, and enterprise began to de-
velop them. From these sections rivers
capable of floating value flow to the sea
direct. The English found then that the
best part of their island-all that with
natural wealth-lay back of the French
shore, Of which the French had an end
less lease. In all this time there were re-
proaches and threats and conflicts be-
tween the nationalities, and they in
volved constant run of diplomatic cor
Tespondence concerning the violation of
the treaty on both sides.
To the American it is clear both sides
were in the wrong, but our sympathies
naturally go out to the English, because
their contention is in the line of develop
ment and up-building, and the civiliza-
ton of rich country. But there are
other factors in the case. There is bank
and shore fishing. The banks are distant
fishing grounds, and demand large boats
well outfitted. Shore fishing is conducted
in small boats. The French fleets are now
all bankers" and the boats are large
and strong. But the treaty makes no
reference to ocean fishing. Bank fishing
is free to all, and if only that entered into
the question France and England would
have no quarrel, for the French have safe
harbors in their little islands off shore.
All the trouble is over rights the French
do not use; that is, shore fishing. Yet
they hold that they have the exclusive
right to fish along shore, and that King
George guaranteed them against compe-
tition. So they object to the settlements,
the piers, harbors and works of the Eng
lish along their shore, for they may wish
to land to dry and cure catches just
where a mill, or warehouse, or pier, or
town of the English is. They claim, also,
that the English buildings render the
waters unfit for the fish to inhabit.
All these claims the eNewfoundlanders
totally, deny. The English home Gov
ernment vacillates, and half sides with
the French, and hence the hostile feeling
in Newfoundland towards the English
Ministry, which, however, admits that
the French rights are not exclusive, but
are open to English subjects also.
The very latest phase OF the difficulty
is this: Along the French shore Holsters
grow as nowhere else so well and finely.
Five years ago the English on the French
shore began to take and can the lobster.
The industry became a success and of
great value. The fishing to which blum
dering King George referred, was, of
course, cod fishing. Hence, say the
French, if the English have rights on the
shore, they do not include lobster-catch-
ing and canning, nor the right to build
great permanent works and make fixed
settlements. But while so protesting
these shrewd Frenchmen themselves
came ashore from their little islands, and
began business in the lobster line. Then
the English protested, "You have the right
to catch cod only; you can land and
dry them, but Newfoundland soil is ours,
along the shore or can il on the shore"
Then the Newfoundlanders' wrath arose;
they declared that for hundred years
their island had been stifled, all its ener-
gies crippled, and all its resources smoth-
cred, and now they would stand no more
oppression. AS result there came on
the present violent agitation that may
eventuate in revolution.
In the midst of the feeling English
and French dignitaries very secretly
agreed on the other side of the Atlantic
that pending the trouble neither side
should open new canning factories, but
all factories open July l, 1889, might run
to the close of the season of 1890, except
that new factories might open if the
French and English naval commanders
agreed, and for every English cannery