New-York tribune., 1900-04-22
NEWFOUNDLAND BAIT.
NEGOTIATIONS FOR RECIPROCITY MAY
NOW BE REOPENED.

NOW BE FEOEENEO-
St Johns n F., April q (SpeciaD-The turn OF
the political wheel brings to the top again Robert
Bond. for eight years Colonial Secretary of this
province. and best known American readers as
having negotiated the Bond-BIaine convention in
1891. Mr. Bond has just been intrusted with the
task OF forming a ministry and conducting the
public affairs OF the colony, and IL Is certain that
he will renew the attempt he then made TO SECURE
reciprocal trade relations with the Republic This
projecting of the question the front rank OF po-
utical questions is going make trouble for
Canada as II was Canada which protested against
that convention and secured its disauowance be
cause she not made party 10 II.
When the Quebec conference or Joint High Com
mission arranged in 1895 Newfoundland de
manded representation that her fishery rights
might be jeopardized; this being a retaliation
upon Canada At the time the Bond-Blaine con-
vention was sidetracked Lord Salisbury trtmated
TO Canada that he would give her fair Oppor-
tuntty to negotiate a similar treaty and II she
failed he would then withdraw his prohibition
against Newfoundland. Canada has had her chance
the failure has been complete and Mr.. Bond :
IN position demand OF the British Government
the fulment Of that promise. and as its going into
effect would work commercial and industrial revo-
luton in the colony. there Is little doubt that the
new Premier will push 1t energetically.
The question Of reciprocity is OF vital interest
TO this colony. The fisheries are its manstay, and
by permitting the Americans TO engage in them it
IS hoped hat their value both will be materially
enhanced The Bond Blaine convention provided for
the free entry into the United States of fish and
crude minerals, Newfoundland in granting
the Ike privileges to certain classes of American
foOdstuffs imported into the island. It
arranEernent that had much 70 commend it. #
would give the American fishermen the
favored nation treatment in Newfoundland waters.
but 1t would be disastrous TO Canada's fishery de-
velOpment by reason Of the superior advantages
the United States fishermen would obtain here
which would divert the whole trade from that guar
to this place.
TROUBLE OVER FISHERIES
The question OF the fisheries. comprehending as
1t does the supply of bait the bonding Of fish
from Canadian and Newfoundland ports 10 United
State markets. and the American prohibitive duty
o foreign caught fish has long been a Of
irritation. amounting almost dispute among
the three countries named. Newfoundland, II must
be remembered. is a colony independent OF Canada.
did 1t form part Of the Dominion the American
fisherman would not be able TO obtain anything like
as favorable concessions as they do now. Mr. Bond
tewIoudiand held tne Key OF the
cans with every facility which they required for
pressed Mr. Blaine with the force Of his conten-
uons that that statesman convinced that IL
would be wise step 10 arrange a convention with
him as he desired
The most important phase Of this fs5ery. question
is that OF the bait supply. The New ENGLAND fish
ing feet which plies its vocation on the Great
Banks OF Newfoundland has 10 depenI for It's
plies OF bait (herring and squid) on Newfoundland
within the three mile limit and thus are unobfain-
S+ eNeS Si WIZ gss e Sanet3a ION OF Lhe sInG
Fishery Treaty negotiated Washington, a
American vessels have been allowed to procure
bait fish in Newfoundland waters and those of
canada on payment OF a license fee OF 81 90 a ton
register, involving a charge upon each vessel OF
keeping it fresh during fishing season This ar
rangerent which was a purely temporary one;
Canada is held by Newfoundland to be no equiv
In the shane Of free arress ~ the hair ASH and
this is more readily realized when it is remem-
the entry Of any foreign caught dsh into Its mar
1T. About one hundred and twenty American
vessels pay license dues each season in Newfound-
NewfoTnda9ders conIS Take 9d HbI ma hey }r
entry for their fish into the United States ports.
Accordingly the proposal is that the Americans
free bait If they refuse Newfoundland may decide
result in Gripping the NewEngend fiSbir- IN
dustry. with its 500 vessels 800 men and an an
hqaI Ia ocean i harvest worth at least 10000 49,,
harm banss Gb, On thSfr part cGuld DO htte I
the license fees and expenditure by the Yankees
tCr bait, these sums would be more than made up
able 70 engage in the business OF supplying the
United States markets with the deep fsh (cod.
halout ana mackerep which the American fisher
men would be unable 10 catch then because of their
fct INV 20 M max * SnGh f "a, an arrangement IN
underlying the Bond-Blaine Convention.
\ SOURCE OF TROUBLE.
Though Canada blocked the arrangement then. II
IS not conceivable that she is permitted 20 do
always. She has her variety OF interests and In
dustrtes, yearly widening In extent and value
Newfoundland has but the one her fisheries; and
II the United States and this colony can effect an
arrangement regards fishery concessions OF
mutual advantage. the eQuablity of which would
De disturbed by Canada wanring be a sharer
therein, she hardly expect that this colony IS
TO be sacrificed in order that she may force her
views upon Uncle Sam-if he will indeed submit
70 such pressure Canadian politicians not for
get that this colony Is In position trouble
from TWO direCtions-by forcing crisis England
ing friction with the United States by the medium
of the divers interests OF England. America. Can
ada and Newfoundland in the North Atlantic
fisheries issue.
Canada's position with regard the question ~
this: Late in the spring herring bait be had
at the Magddlen Islands. territory. but
Islands far frCm the main fishing banks
that few vessels there FOR bait, Occasionally,
too. mackerel catcher puts into Nova
Scottan port and sends home by rail in bond. part
or her cargo on the strength OF these points
land would receive under the Bond Blaine conven-
tton from the United States and that the latter
should refuse to agree 10 such contention. under
the circumstances is not surprising With regard
20 Newfoundland the American fisherman readily
admits that in CouCediug her terms he Is get
something substantial In the access TO her
limited bait supply. while with Canada, however.
there would be nothing OF practical value 10
expect. Newfoundland. Furthermore could send
States. its mode OF preparation being altogether
unsutted the requirements OF the markets there.
and existing markets absorbing the major portion
Of the product but Canada, on the other hand.
from the contiguity OF the Maritime Provinces
New Eng land. would be able 10 dump into the