The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-24
CLASH OYER orr RIGHTS.
British and French Naval Onioers in a
Dispute About American Fishing Privileges.


ST. JoHN's. Newfoundland. June 23.-Com-
modOre Giffard. commanding the British ma
val squadron protecting the Newfoundland
fisheries. has become involved in n serious
dispute with the French through his action In
enforcing the right OF tho American fishermen
to take bait on the French shore. When he ar
rived on the coast last month from England he
had instructions from Secretary Chamberlain
completely reversing those OF his predecessors
and disregardn2 the French pretsnson to ex-
elusive fishing privileges along that coast.
BY the treaties with France the British fisher
men settled there are not permitted to inter-
fere with the French in their vocation but the
treaty Of 1913 gives the Americans right Of
fishing thorc concurrently with the British
The French have always insisted that they
alone had the right To take herring bait IN the
Americans could only procure It on sufrerance
This contention the British authorities always
n H tbs b y%f nnd they %ae
to tho French vessels first. even il these paid
only go cents barrel for the fsh. while Amsri;
to wait idle until they were supplied, though
Offering dollar barrel ,o, oo..
made rule that no herring should he sold to
anybody for less than 81 % barrel, and when
the t Fn b 1PS Sscs orUea On he
When the French warships arrived the fisher
men comnlained. and the French Commodore.
trouble between England and America. He
directed the three cruisers Of his command to
permit 10 American vessels ;h t to be supplied
pechlly il French fishermen were near seeking
The first United States fisherman affected
was the schooner Parthtan Of Gloucester, Capt.
Freeman Monroe which sought bait at Bay IT,
Vie u the Britsh C cruiser Alert when Informed
Of the French Instructions Capt; Savile told
him to go ahead and take bait. and said that i
hn iaI uCith hn nlufi "a nd
paid the price prescribed the warship would
see him, through This being communicated
to the French commander, no attempted no
actual interference, but sent to Commodore
Giffard a despatch dsspoupcinG the proceed
ngs OF Cart SHyIIe rhiS ne ,@'I@W th Hr 10y
cans in every way and removing at night the
nets OF the coast folk thereby preventing them
from catching the herring which they sell to
the Americans
The consequence is that the whole treaty
teiegraphing to the Colonial Government de-
handing protection against these Outrages.
and the Yankee skpp"rsaro making the wires
hum with their protests at III" treatment to
which they are being subjected.
The British Commodore being at st. John g.
where he is in close touch with the Colonial
and Imperial Cabinets; ho has been in daily
conference with Gov. McCalium ana the Colo.
MAJ MGstr Hnd on M%hnesIhy ne
Columhnc, north and south round the island
to ascertain tn" actual conditions existing ard
to reinforce the Alert which j. maintaininG
tn" patrol alone The Colonial magistrates
have been asked to send statements OF the
| Government has been called on to take steps
! to end this undrsirahle state of things.
The Washington authorities have also de
| handed n cessation OF the French interference,
| and serious friction Is expected IL the French
| persist in their present policy. 1t is reported
! here tonight that Admiral Sampson with the
| American squadron will come here in weeI
| or two 10 confer with the British and colonla
| representatives regarding the matter
| The New "SaratoER Limited"
| BY the New York Central. every day but Sunday
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