New-York tribune., 1898-12-11


lations calculated to harass American fishing
vessels enforced with considerable visor.
Ambiguity and doubt as to the true meaning
Of the three-mie limit. as designated in the
Convention Of ISIS added additional confusion
and material for fresh dispute.
THE THREE-MILE QUESTION
II was contended in the United States that the
words three marine miles OF any Of the coasts
bays. creeks and harbors' meant three miles
from the actual shore line. following It's sinuos-
ties II was insisted that the Pay Of Fundy
and other similarly inclosed bodies Of water
with openings to the sea Of more thar six miles
in width. We're as free t. American fishing oper-
ations s. the high seas without The English
Interpretation Of these words held that the
three-nile line from shore did not enter the
bays. harbors or indentations Of the coast, but
passed marine league outside straight line
extended from headand TO headland and that
all waters within such lines We're properly terri
torial and free 10 British subjects only Thus
the Bay Of Fundy. with an opening Of sixty
miles. was considered by the Foreign Office IN
London closed sea over which Great Brlt-
ain was entitled TO exercise sole jurisdiction.
The doctrine # 'headlands' admits Of con-
siderable latitude Of application. and numerous
examples may be found TO indicate a broad
range Of Interpretation In different parts of the
world Thus the United states has claimed the
Chesapeake and Delaware bays and other large
bodies Of water strictly territorial. although
q line from headland TO headland is over six
miles II may be said, however, that IN gem
eral the usages Of nations have tended t. re-
strict territorial jurisdiction over large bodies
OF water; and although there is no rule of in
ternational law fixing an absolute liIn!t in this
respect. the whole spirit Of K is opposed 10 such
a claim as that of England in the Bay Of
run0y and in many other cases
IN the absence of any fixed rule upon this mat
ter supported by International sanction. the
theory has been advanced by authors that gulfs
bays etc. whose entrances may be- covered hy
cannon shot from either headland are T.ghtfully
u be considerei inland or territorial waters
and otherwise they must te regarded q part
IF the open ocean. For many reasons the sus-
gestion appears 70 he reasonable one
Ir $50 the British Government renounced its
claim of sole Jurisdiction over the Bay Of Fundy
but not until q number of American fishing ves-
sells had been seized and condemned ana the old
Quarres had assumed serious propOrt ons. War
was excitedly demanded by many people IL
New-Lngland. and The situation became SO criti-
cal that the coming OF Lord Elgin 10 Washing
ton empowered % nee 1tiate a treaty for reci-
procity with Canada was joyfully hailed by the
Administration a. promise Of relief from the
excited poluca! conditions such treaty was
finally concluded June :. 1Si4 whereby Ameri-
can fishermen received full rights 70 nsh and
and anywhere on the Dominion coast provided
that in doing they do not interfere with the
rights Of private prop -rty.' British subjects
were accorded similar rights on The United
States coast down 10 the thrty-siXth degree Of
north latitude. and various protective laws We're
at once changed So as u admit into the United
states the natural products OF Canada free II
duty. This duty was 10 continue ten years and
thereafter until notice by one OF the parties Cor
its termination
AN ERA OF HARMONY.
The effect upon the fishermen was magical
Their disputes We're forgotten and harmony
reigned The Canadians rejoiced in the new and
extensive markets open to their products. and
the Americans equally rejOiced In the almost
unlimited privileges Of fishing and landing with
IN the jurisdlctiOnal waters Of Canaca. II Is
probable that the terms of this treaty would
have proved satisfactory for all time but for
the rebellion in the United States At the be-
ginning Of the Civil War trade conditions IN the
United States materially changed The neces-
sary Increase Of taxes imposed upon the people
by the Congress Of the United States, together
with the radical changes n currency values,
producing Increased cost of labor. enabled the
Canadian farmer to supplart the American in
his own markets Congress was therefore be-
sieged with petitions from the states bordering
on the Canadian Inc % abrogaie TINS reciprocity
treaty. The unfriendly attitude % Canadians
toward the Union during the civil war iur-
nished an additional incentive % withdraw the
ADVANTAGES which the treaty c0ncededly gave
them in the then abnormal CONDITION OF our
people
the treaty OF ISIS again came into force. the
stpulauons contained in the treaty Of 1914 hay
ing been based upon and reclted u pe IN hodl-
tion - those OF the Convention of lNlH mere
fore the old arranCen-nt restricting American
fishermen 10 certain limited areas ~ lnshore
waters Of Newfoundland. with contracted land
Ing privileges for drying and curing their FISH.
WAS revived. From mat time OF c'AiSe' ."e
olItme quarrels Of the fishermen began anew.
The Governor-Gencral of Canadt.. Lord Monck,
promptly issued notice warning Americans
that their rights to fsh in canaaian "a'ers nha '
ceased. and acts We're promptly paSsrd b} tl~
Canadian Parliament prov ld4is severe l,' id'I's
for violations oi me Jaw. 80 ,,e 4rst e.bfn.,
- I'M, -A'en oe'.l, ,ear-ynon adonted
;1 Se@s,"' .artirr mi fishing privileges
!'ei.Ss - -, ,.',,.rnert ~ an annual
- American soi''iTi soi - .,- ,,..rail walled
TAX iis ,e ,5s ','i. cement bur each sue
u.s.. - ,t.. ,,r'c.. NJ licenses was increased
i O.'3'iS ''"' 80" NJ iS;. The flfv had virtually
uhH oy l"r lroi "a American fsheruleu re-