New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-10
THE RCSU-BAGOT TREATY OF 1872.
PROBABILITY THAT II MAY BE ABRoGATED-
HOW 1T INTERVIEWS WITH AMERICAN
sHIPEUILDING INDUSTRIES AND
THE PROTECTION OF THE
AMERICAN LAKES


II really begins 10 look II the Objectionable Rush
Bagot treaty. socalied the agreement made between
the United states and Great Britain In 1877 which for
bids the building and maintenance OF more
than one naval vessel-and that one not more
than 100 tons dspacement-on the lakes
By either nation, would soon be abrogated
nv the United States, even at the risk OF
offending the scnsibtes Of Lord salisbury again
Secretary Tracy long ago characterized this agreement
ms senelcs Interference with the interests OF the
plbio service and ms detrimental to the development
OF American industries. IL Is also understood that
there has been correspondence between the state
Department and the Canadian Government. through
the British Minister. relative 10 the building OF vessels
By the Canadian Government which are deemed by
the authorities at Washington Of that class and
number restricted by the agreement OF 1917, which
the United states resubscrlbed TO as late as 1850
The full text OF the sections OF the famous arrange
mcnt to which there Is now SO much reasonable
objection IS as follows:
The naval force be maintained upon the American
lakes by His Majesty and the Government OF the United
States shall henceioh be confined to tho following vessels
each side; that IS: -
On Lake Ontario to vessel not exceeding 100
tons burden and armed with lspound cannon
On the upper lakes two vessels, not exceeding IKE
burden each and armed with like force
On the waters OF Lake Champlain, TO one vessel ho'
exceeding like burden and armed with like force
All armed vessels on these lakes shall De ioth
with dlsnanted and other vessel OF war snail heh o"
built or armed II either party should hereafter be
desrous OF a1nuilng this stipulation, and should give
notice 10 that effect other party IL shall cease to DC
binding after the expiration Of six months from the date OF
such notice.
Secretary Tracy some time ago urged the advsa-
nifty Of having tho six months notice gwen espc-
cally so far as It affects naval shpbudng on the lakes
because as he said 1T deprives mertoTOus IN
dustral section OF the country Of practical Government
natronace and lessons materially the influence at the
command OF the Department In it's efforts 10 secure
Congressional encouragement" He also mas sMu
that IL Canada to be permitted to build Hight draught
gunboas for use the lakes In contovention OF the
terms Of the Rush-Bngot treaty. the United states
ought TO enjoy the same privilege. This statement
a, secretary Tracy had reference the armed vessel
Constance already built and to two Others of Hike size
I'm course OF construction. The Constance Is regular
war vessel 1875 feet in length, schoonerrgged, but
engned and Is armed with Nordenfeldt guns
The only armed vessel that this Government has
upon the lakes Is the Michigan, barkenne rugged, 163
feet in length built at Erie in 1914, and armed with
four 3O.ponnder bIcech- loading rifles, three 3-nch
bowitzers and two Calling guns. When the bids for
construction OF the Naval Academy practice cruiser
Bancroft were opened two years ago the lowest was
that Of Wheeler .S Co.. of Bay City, Mch But the
bid was rejected because OF the restrictions OF the
agreement Of 1877 and new bids were necessary to he
advertised for thus causing additional expense ms well
DELAY In building the vessel Inc western snip
builders as well as other construction works on the
lakes arc DESTROYS OF getting OF the Government
work and being debarred hy the restrictions imposed
through the 1917 agreement, have become restless.
This feeling threatens to continue until there IS an
couay Of conditions secured through Congress- such
MS existed between this country and Great Britain
prior to the agreement made and drawn by Richard
ush when Secretary OF state, and Sir Charles Bagot,
the English dplomatist.
II was q couple OF weeks ago that Senator
Mcmillan. Of Michigan, introduced two resolutions
which are designed to bring on discussion
OF the famous agreement and possibly
lead to the required six months notice Of its
abrogaion being given by the rnited states. One OF
these resolutions calls upon the Secretary Of the Navy
for Information as TO whether any bids for the con
sr,cton OF certain types OF warshps have been re-
fused or rejected for other than tho usual reasons and
the other requests the Secretary Of State inform tho
senate what action has been taken revive and put
I'm force the agreement between the United States and
Great Britain as 10 tie maintenance OF war-shps
the great lakes Then, In addition to these resolutions,
I'm a report fav,ring the construction OF ship canals
around Niagara Falls and from Lake Ontario 10 the
Hudson the House Committee Railroads and Canals
lays stress on the strategic as well the COM