The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-18

| WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE Anglo
| American commission. now IN session here
l TO adjust the differences between the United
| states and Canada, today held lengthy
| session upon the two subjects which are
| regarded Of most Importance, namely.
| the North Atlantic fisheries and reciprocity.
/ The fisheries question was practically taken
| up for the first time. and 1t was quite
| definitely understood that the position OF
| the Canadian government was made clear
| as favortng granting enlarged rights TO
| American fishermen In Canadian waters
| Of The North Atlantic, II in return Cana
| dian fish are admits ed free Of duty to Amer
| lean markets. 1t is expected this VIII
| open wide range OF discussion and an
| immediate adjustment is not looked for.
Concerning reciprocity. 1t has now de-
| veloped that while some progress Is being
| made In considering certain articles which
| viii be the basis of reciprocity yet the
American commissioners are likely 10 In
| sist. rs preliminary to any reciprocity.
| that Canada shah wipe out that feature "
| her tariff law which gives Great Brltan
| n preference Of - per cent. on all tarir
| duties, II this complete concession is made
| by Canada and conceded ny Lord Hersch-
| q, WIZ 10 AFTER the interests OF
| Great Britain then II Is said reciprocity
| list viii probably be agreed upon.
Without the abolition OF preferential
| rates to Great Britain, the opinion is very
| positively expressed that a reciprocity
| agreement cannot be reached.
| The American commissioners feel that IL
they can succeed In having this British
preferential stopped !; will be greater than
-crffrnpstv nha,>
thus far has encouraged the American
| commissioners TO believe that they win
succeed In having this preferential wiped
out.
The fisheries question Is OF long standing.
and aside from its Importance to the COM
| merce OF the New England and the Cana
dian coast, II Is said TO give the basis for
a possible serious conflict between this
country and Great Britain. Wearled by
the length OF the controversy, Canada Of
late has intmated that I'm case Il remained
open recourse might he taken to the seizure
OF American fishing vessels In Canadian
waters. This doubtless would lead to seri-
GUS international complications This has
been the view ~ members OF the commits
sion. and as a result they ara exceedingly
anxious to secure a settlement OF this
question.
Ii is understood that there Is some llkell-
hood of a commission OF American. Cana
dian and English lawyers being appointed
to determine the meaning OF the treaty Of
ISIS, which governs these fishery rights
The suggestion Of this International body
has come. II Is said from Lord Herschtf.
Such a body appointed. 1t would do away
with the chance Of any collision occurring
between the Canadian officials and Amer
lean fishing vessels during the approaching
fishing season.
high Canadian official today stated the
Canadian vIew OF the fisheries question -
follows:
''rhe international commission will have a
serious difficulty IN settle the North Attain
tic fishery question. The position Of the
Canadian government IS not, think, very
well understood In the United States. Tho
treaty % isIs provides. roughly spea king
that the United States fishermen snail not
have access 20 the Inhabited coasts of the
Canadian .eaboarff. On those coasts Amer
lean fishermen are not entitled 10 land save
for four purposes. specifically named In tho
treaty, namely. for wood. water, shelter
and repairs The object of the treaty was
obviously to give Canadians exclusive con-
sroi OF their own coasts as base OF OPP
erations for carrying on the fishery. Such
has been the Canadian Interpretation ever
since the treaty was framed and the Unit
cd states has accepted ii as the true In
terpretat!on.
IN 1854 the United States purchased ths
right 10 lap6 on the Canadian coasts for
ether than the purposes named. for Amer
team fishermen who wish 20 buy bait in
Chnadlan ports. 20 snip crews. 70 purchase
supplies, including lee. and 10 bond theis
FISH. that is 20 tranEship them In bcui.
either 20 Canadian railways or 20 tina
steamers bound for the United States 80
thai they may get ria of their cargo quick
iy ard hurry back 10 the hanks. instead
Of carrying = 20 Boston or Gloucester and
going huck empty. whicn entails loss ot
t.me TIE United S.a;ex purchased their
privileges ln 1854 hy sb1lishing sbe duties
on Canadian ssh. II purchased them again
by giving free fgh a. fhtufn. under tha
washington treaty q is1l 50 also in isS3
the Bayay3-f -ha n Deflal8 project virtually
granted free FISH in exc-ange FOR those
privileges. Teat project was defeated in
tie Tinted State senate. but the rnOfu.
ytVen3i wasch sormed part Of II and In in
existence today provides that American
fishing vessels wh!ch desire 20 nave tho
benefit q tie privileges shall pay an an
nuaI tonnage LAX 20 the Dominion treas
ury therefor Il wifi thus be aeen tha.
The Canadian Interpretation of article
~ the treaty ~ 1918 as the ;rue lnterpr~-
isfira. THIS fef0g ire case. me United
States r. ! tniuE deharrss from now
claiming the bonding privilege IN Cansssa,,
ports for Amsr.ean fishermen as part ard
parcel OF the general bonding system n