The record-union., 1891-04-17
THE SIMPLE STORY OF THE
TROUBLE IN NEWFOUNDLAND.
L. e. Quigg, writing in HGrpe1'S
Weekly, puts the Newfoundland trouble
into a nutshell of statement:

L. e. Quigg, writing in Harper s
Weekly, puts the Newfoundland trouble
into nutshell of statement:
No intelligent people anywhere are so
cruelty embarrassed as are thOse.of Newfound-
land. Their plight, indeed, is practically that
OF commercial paralysis; for with rich and
abundant resources, to which their title is un-
questioned directly available; with mines OF
coal, iron, copper and gypsum ready for oper-
elton; with vast forests oveTgTOwn and fertile
soil hungry-all enterprise is stayed, all effort
forbidden, and full half of the population is
to-day almost starving, lest the employment
of these forces should scare away fish that in
fact do not exist from waters that are never
used, or Interfere with operations on a shore
long since abandoned, but which fish, waters,
and shore are claimed by foreign country
$500 miles distant for its exclusive and per-
petual enjoyment.
This he adds is the whole of the French
shore question" The story is told
briefly.
Newfoundland is not of the Canadian
Dominion. If the Newfoundlanders were
free to do as they please, they would seek
an American alliance. The island is
the Oldest American-side possession
claimed by England. The French have
always claimed that they were first upon
the Newfoundland shores. But over 500
years ago England took possession, and
found ships of five nations fishing in
Newfoundland waters. Very early all
but the French were driven out by the
English. In 1885 the former secured
acknowledgment OF their rights in New
foundland, and by the payment of a roy
atty, gained leave to dry their catch of
fish on the land. England's policy,
until about 100 years ago, was to
prevent settlement in Newfoundland
in order to protect the fish merchants of
Devonshire, but the business has now
shifted from England to the island, of
furnishing ships, provisions, tackle and
buying the catch or fishing on shares.
ITO protect the business and prevent its
shifting, as stated, England strove to
keep the island mere fishing station,
and hence prohibited immigration to it,
the building Of houses, and especially in
hibited the transportation of women to
Newfoundland. At that time England
did not know of the natural resources OF
the country, of its agricultural, mineral
or numbering value.
But the great end of England always
has been to make all things contribute to
her gain at home, regardless of true de-
velopment abroad, and this policy for
two centuries was the rule as to New
fouNdland. Early in the eighteenth CEN
tury the French were so strong upon the
shores of Newfoundland that they cap
tured it and held it for time. When
England recovered the territory she
agreed by treaty that France might use
certain shores for fishing stations, but
was TO erect no fortifications or perma-
nent buildings. This shore extends from
Cape Bonavista, around the north part of
the island, to Point Richie on the west.
France forfeited, or lost, her rights when
the French were expelled from Canada
and Nova Scotia, but by diplomatic craft
her statesmen secured renewal of her
shore rights granted by the treaty of
Utrecht, and gained in addition full con-
troll of the islands of ST. Pierre and
Miquelon as "safe harbors." These lie
just of shore, but the treaty forbade their
fertilization, the building of houses other
than for the fisheries, and no armed force
larger than fifty men for police" was TO
be maintained on the island.
But twenty years after England and
France again went to war, and the Eng
lsh were worsted on the American side
of the Atlantic. In 1873 a new treaty,
therefore, was made on peace being de-
clared, and an effort was put on foot to
allay the bitterness of feeling between the
two classes of fisherman, English and
French, on the Newfoundland shore.
Their quarrels had been about trespsss-
ing, bait supply and because of natural
dislike. The treaty 1888 confirmed the
cession of the two oh-shore islands to
France with the old conditions The
shore lines for tho French were changed
to include all the north and west coast
lines, some 500 miles, from Cape st. John
TO Cape Ray. In the waters beyond that
shore the French could fish, and on the
shore they could cure and dry theil
takes. The treaty did not give the
French exclusive shore rights, and moth.
ing in ii sustains the idea that they could
keep it a wilderness or desert.
when King George came to ra:ifv the