The National tribune., 1892-03-24
BERINC SEA AND CANADA,
Brief History OF the Way that The British Dip
mats Have CszeRsd Dnrs

have reached an acute STAGE and may result in
serious complication Of our relations with
Great Britain. calls 10 mind the meeting of tho
High Joint Commission in 1871. which ms,le the
treaty containing the Boring Sea clause. That
Commission was composed Of an equal number
of representatives Of Great Britain and the
United States. and held its sessions in what Was
then known as tho Philip mansion, on X street.
between Thirteenth and FOurtoesth, the house
now being owned by Mrs. Halliday. Tho Com
mission sat for some months, and went over the
ground of many unsettled questions between
this country and the English Government. and
finally framed what is known as the Treaty of
Washington, which. after quite lively and
extended debate in the Senate was formally
ratified.
After the value of Alaska and its seal fisher
les came to be fully appreciated by this c0un-
try, it was believed that the United States was
not treated so well ia that treaty as it should
have been, and several attempts were made to
abrogate the fishery clause. This clause
affected not only the seal fisheries OF Alaska but
also the fisheries on the eastern coast OF Canada.
and in this latter case particularly it ssa5
claimed discrimination was made against the
American fishermen and that they were nos
given many benefits as they were entitled 10
under what is known as the favored nation
clause. 1t was not until towards the close OF
President Arthur's Administration that Con-
gress finally decided to abrogate the fisheries
clause of the Treaty Of Washington, and Mr..
Arthur made formal proclamation giving ths
due notice required IN that treaty OF the abrogs-
ton Of this clause.
There was ample time before the expiration
of President Artbur's term f0tsthe English Gov
eminent to protest if she felt she had any good
ground for such action, but nothing was said,
and matters were allowed to drifs along until
after the Inauguration of President Cleveland.
Shortly after MIR Bayard had been madeSecrs-
taTy OF State, and before he had any opportH-
nifty to really mprehend the duties Ofhis Office,
Lord Sackvile. who was then the British Min
lister in this city called upon HIN. and brought
up memorandum showing tbs extreme hard
ship that would accrue to the fishermen both On
the eastern and the western coasts, unless some
arrangement could be made for that particular
season. pending permanent adjustment Of Thea
entire question, and he presented a, p0dns
vigeudi, which was believed at that time TO DO
simply temporary arrangement, lasting for
single season. Mr. Bayard, not thoroughly
understanding the case and feeling that he did
not desire to cause any discomfort or injury 70
our own fishermen, signed this modUs vivendi,
and thereby opened the question anew and
gave Great Britain fresh opportunity for fur
ther disputation.
Hardly had this modus vivendi been signed
when the most vigorous protests esrne to the
State Department from the New England fish
ermen, who stated that by his action the Sec
rotary of State had brought upon them all the
difficulties which they endured under the fish
cries clause Of the treaty of Washington which
had been abrogated and brought new causes OF
trouble in the terms of the modus vivendl.
They wanted no further treaty or arrangemens
at all They fell back upon the treaty of 1916,
which placed the United States upon the terms
of favored nation and under which they were
entitled to all the privileges accorded other
countries rated as favored nations. At that time
the Eastern fisheries were more considered than
the seal fisheries in Bering Sea, and the stir
that was created by the petitions, remon-
strances, and protests made by those represent.
ing this great industry on the New England
Coast will well be remembered. ghs damage
was done, however, the modus vivendi was
signed and had become an accomplished fact,
and the British Minister had clearly and ctev-
ery outwitted the American Secretary of State.
In the memorandum signed by Mr. Bayarc Ia
connection with the moduS viyendi was an
agreement that all the differences between
Great Britain and the United States relating TO
the fisheries question shoad be submitted to a
commission who should have the power to in
vestigato the whole subject and report treaty
settling forever ali these differences.
When that information was submitted to the
Senate and commission recommended by Mr..
Cleveland the proposition was voted down and
the Senate refused to entertain IT.. Still, the
matter had been left open, aud year after year
the modus yiyendi was renewed, always at the
solicitation of the British Governments and
against the protests of the American people. or
at least such portion of them az were interested
in the question at issue, if not the formal re-
monstrance of the Government.
When President Harris0n's Administration
commenced and Mr. Blaine was made Secretary
of State, it Was believed by those who were adj
mirers of the distinguished gentleman from
Maine, on account of his thorough American
ism, that he would not long allow these mat
tiers to remain unadjusted. 1t was thought
that the interests Of the United States would
be perfectly safe in his hands; that he would
be firm i'll resisting any further demands OF
Great Britain, and that he would vigorously
uphold the position taken by this Governments.
Three years have passed and matters seem
to be no nearer to adjustment than when Mr..
Blaine first became Secretary of State. He has
not advanced the settlement 10 any appreciable
extent, although several attempts have been
made in that direction. Whenever there
seemed a prospect of definite understanding
has intervened which has checked
its progress and the same questions are stili in
controversy. The only time when there was
an evidence of vigorous maintenance OF the
dignity and honor of the United States was in
the proclamation and instructions that were Is
sued two years ago, but before the United
States vessels had an opportunity to carry those
hastily withdrawn upon eablegram from che
British Premier, that if they were carried out
there would be likely rupture of the friendly
relations between the tive Governments. Had
Mr.. Blaine insisted upon the fulfllment of the
at that time he would have been
by the entire American people, and
there is no doubt that the British Minister
would have reeeded from his threatening atti-
tude. 1t was what might be called in toto
great big bluff on his part, but it happened to win
Mr.. Blaine hadn't the nerve to call him down
aud quietly, but with great deal Of haste,
retracted the instructions that had been given.
Since that time there has been no particular
stir over these troubles, excepting the annual
reference to them in the Presidents message
and the meeting of one or two commissions,
which have practically accomplished nothing,
until the recent sudden refusal of Lord Sails
bury to renew the mOdus vivendi for this yesr
and proposing closed zone of 80 miles width.
Possibly one reason why matters have not been
brought to a more satisfactory issue within the
last two years has been on account of Dir.
Blaine's unfortunate condition of health 1t is
we'll known that since his severe attack about
year ago he has not been actively engaged in
diplomatic matters, and 80 it may perhaps be
rather difficult to charge upon him the failure
IN this respect, but the country has looked to
b i'm as the head of the State Department., and
he will have to bear all the blame
1t is quito possible that President Harrison
will take this matter entirely III his own hands.
If he does the country may be sure that the
interests of the American people will be fully
Jared for and that the dignity of this Govern
nent will be vigorously upheld. He will bo