New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-28
LORD KNUTSFORD BLAMED.
SHARPLY ATTACKED IN TIE NEWFOCND-
LAND LEGISLATURE.


THE INTERESTS OF NEwFoUNDLAND-MR.
BOND EXPLAINS THE FAILURE OF THE
AMERICAN TREATY LoBSTEES
MAY NOT LAST TO THE CLOSE
OF THE FRENCH AR
BITRATIoN.
st. Johns, n. F., March 1.-THE official report
Of the Hon RcAert Bonds Speech in the House
of Assembly. in reply to Lord Knutsford's dis
patch of February IL. has just appeared We
are enabled now, having the whole case before
us, to form an opinion as TO the merits of the
controversy, and the respective positions of the
cOntroversalistS
The resolutions adopted by the House of Assem-
bly,, on it's opening, strongly condemning the
conduct of the British Government in refusing
70 ratify the trade convention negotiated by Mr..
Bond and charging them with violation of
solemn obligations" placed Lord Knutsford on
his defence When his lordship's dispatch on
the subject was submitted to the House of Assem-
bly, Mr. Bond moved that the House resolve Itself
into Committee of the Whole to consider this
document. lie then submitted series of resolu-
tons, a copy of which l sent you in my last
letter; and in supporting these resolutions, Mr..
Bond, in self-defence. gave complete history OF
the reciprocity convention apd his own connection
Herewith.
He stated that the origin of this convention
was the presentation Of proposal to Lord hnuts-
ford. for the arrangement of reciprocity between
this Colony and the United States ny the Govern
ment delegates. then in London. on July 8, 1890.
The communication then addressed to Lord knuts-
ford Mr.. Bond declared, contained ful text
of the convention that now awaits the approval
of Her Majesty's Government" Two months
elapsed before reply was received. and on
d. NttG a1 r
William Whiteway that they were willing TO
negotiate convention with the United States
on the lines laid down in the memorandum of
July g." Then Sir William asked Mr.. Bond to
proceed to Washington at once to lay before
Her Majcsty's Minister there the views OF the
Newfoundland Government, and TO aid in the
negotiations Mr. Bond consented 10 60, and
the Colonial Office being notified, he received
a letter Of introduction from the Foreign once
10 the British Minister at Washington" Mr..
Bond said that "apprecating that this was an
informal and unofficial document. he declined to
proceed to Washington unless he received Official
recognition from Her Majesty's Government as a
delegate upon the question of reciprocity"
Sir William Whiteway being informed of this
went in company with Mr.. Bond. to the Colonial
Offce, and together they stated the objections
10 the letter Of introduction to Mr.. Bramston,
Under Secretary of State who requested Sir Will
lam to put the desires of the Newfoundland Gov
eminent in writing. In his letter Sir William
said: Mr. Robert Bond, Colonial Secretary of
Newfoundland, is about to proceed to New-York
leaving the 9th inst. and have the honor
TO ask that he be furnished with such authority
as may be deemed necessary for his communicating
to Her Majesty's Government at Washington the
views of the Newfoundland Government. in order
h. of =, hi nod
On reading this letter. the Under Secretary said
he would communicate with Lord Knusford, and
the necessary papers would be furnished. Then
Sir William wrote to Mr.. Bond in these terms
i have much pleasure in asking you to convey
to Her Majesty's Minister at Washington the
views OF the Newfoundland Government upon
this subject, and to take such steps as you may
deem eXpedent to accomplish the object in view 4"
Mr.. Bond then left for New-York where he had
TO wait several days % for the promised docu-
ments." At length " a package from the Colonial
Office arrived, containing two communications
under SEAL addressed to the British Minister at
Washington" The contents of these cOmmuni-
cations were not known to Nj Bond, but he as
sumed naturally they were his credentials, Civ
ing him an official status But here is where
there is a little opening for doubt. Did these
papers go beyond the authorization of Mr. Bond
to lay his wishes regarding reciprocity before Sir
Julian Pauncefote, did they go further and au-
thorze him to act negotatOr on his ac-
count? In all good faith, however, Mr.. Bond be-
lcvcd that they did accredt him to ACT as nego-
tator his account, and will be seen,
he acted on this belief
On reaching Washington Mr.. Bond said that
he wrote TO Sir Julian Pauncefote, inclosing the
documents referred TO. He received no reply for
three days. and then found, on inquiry, that Sir
Julian was absent from Washington. He then
addressed letter to Sir Julian dated October 3,
in which he said he had been instructed TO convey
20 him the views of the Newfoundland Govern
ment regarding the trade convention, and that on
the Goth ult., he had forwarded to him " his Gre
dentials from the Foreign Office and from the
Premier of Newfoundland" lie then went on to
give full detail of the proposals.
Sir Julian at this date staying at Mag
nolia Mass. Having dispatched his letter, Mr.
Bond was determined not to let the grass grow
under his feet, and without waiting to hear from
Sir Julian he sought and obtained on October 3
the privilege OF long interview with Mr. Blaine,
who gave him the frank and straightforward
assurance that any proposal he might submit
would receive his tAlr Blaines careful attention
Mr.. Bonds next step was TO visit the great
commercial centres of New-York, Boston and TIC
principal New England ports, where he laid his
case before the Boards of Trade and the commsr-
cial societies Having finished these visits. NE
called on Sir Julian at Magnolia Previously
however he had received courteous reply from
Sir Julian acknowledging the receipt of his let
ter, and saying Il have perused your letter with
great interest and am glad to have been favored
with so clear and able exposition of the qucS-
ton" AT Magnolia, Mr.. Bond fully discussed
with Sir Julian the terms and form Of the conven-
ton to be submitted TO the American Govern
ment." Sir Julian then made rough draft OF
the convention and sent it to Mr. Bond for alera-
tons and corrections. Mr.. Bond made some al
terations: ard on October 10 Sir Julian wrote
Mr.. Bond saying that the previous day he had