New-York tribune., 1898-11-21

THEIR IMPORTANCE As AN INDUSTRY AND AS A
NAVAL TRAINING SCHOOL.


THEIR IMPORTANCE AS AN INDUSTRY AND AS A
NAVAL TRAINING-scHoo1~
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: have read with interest the article from
your Washington correspondent in reference to
matters now before the Anglo American Joint High
commission, and especially to the North At
lantic fisheries. My object in writing you Is to call
your attention TO phase Of this question which is
not receiving especial notice apparently. from the
New-Nork papers. At the close OF the article in
TINS mornings paper. your correspondent, quoting
nigh Canadian official" says efter stating his
point that the Canadian laws governing this mat
tor probably would be strictly enforced in cose the
views OF the British and Dominion Commissioners
were not approved: "The matter Is one OF 10 par
ucular Importance 10 the United States the fishing
INDUSTRY or New England being now relatively Of
no great account and every friend Of peace and
ainity between the two countries must earnestly
hope that way out OF the difficulty may be found
along the lines suggested"
The important point I'm this statement is that the
canadian Commissioners trying to impress
upon both the Joint Commission and the people of
tne United States that in their Judgment the
North Atlantic fisheries of trihing importance
our Canadian brothers are an exceedingly shrewd
set oil men. Our own Yankee fishermen and the
concerns who handle their product and who fur
hsh lhe capital necessary to keep the fleet on the
ocean are OF great importance TO the people of
."e 'hi.ed states, inasmuch as they furnish the
% ocst sailors that we have and practically the
oii! merchant vessels from which can he drawn a
~ vi men 10 man our warships In case Of neces-
sly The officer of the United States NAVY who
"" cldrHe OF recruiting men the opening Of
Wv war Win spain enlisted over four hundred men
=" uioucester ana stated that he had never found
III MS experience as n recruiting officer better
class OF men than they Their calIinr r,.tos :,
necessary that they should be mon Of the biyhos4
courage. skilful in all that goes to make I'M
Soou 80, sailor reliable and trustworthy They arc
not SAINTS. by any means but they are mon who in
Sinergences can be depended on and are ahso-
] 10 me success or any navy. and who have certainly
ny OF the American sailor under American officers
sentiment Is most excellent thing, and | am
sentiment Of friendship between the United States
and Great Britain. and feel that there is no greater
possible by a sympathetic union between the two
great branches OF the Anglo Saxon race. bu: We
be required TO maintain 1t in the position that it is
d.apidIy assuming by acquisition of territory at
notice in several Of the papers recently. in edi-
the reports recently furnished OF the loss OF life
ana vessels among the Gloucester fishermen. II IS
Mr. Kipling but in tho dry reports Of Insurance
companies and the Gloucester Fishermen's Inst-
tute that the facts referred to in these editorials
are brought out How can an industry carried
al such risk and showing each year such large
school for our sailors? There is such a thing as
carrying sentiment to tho point Of injuring
selves. Are not in danger Of doing that i'm
listening and yielding 10 the specious arguments of
our friends across the border in cOnsenting to
mercia. treaties; reciprocal or whatever they may
he. which would Kill the Gloucester fishing in
dustry. remove its fleet from the and leave
the Canadian provinces the entire business in this
li1eo
have given no figures and perhaps made
eunent which is worthy of constellation. bot anv
one who has visited Gloucester and watched the
schoOnerS com" around Eastern Point. every now
and then with their flags At half-mast and realizes
that these men have given their lives In pursuit of
huSiupSS feel
dustry carried by such men. dating back 70
the earliest settlement Of New England. over two
hundred and NIFTY years ago. should receive
from this Government. under Republican Ad-
minstration. committed 10 the policy OF protection
and preparing for a greatly increased navy 10
look after its interests in our own possessions or
those that will he ours in tho near future every
consideration. and instead OF taking any action
which will terd 10 restrict its Importance or the
size Of the feet, do everything In the power % the
Government TO protect and foster II and make 1t
Of more value the great training-school for the
United States Navy. WALTER Is. TlMMS.
New York. NOV Is. lSaS