New-York tribune., 1904-09-18

TO fsh after that date, but the American fisher
men, VINO also possess certain rights theFe under
the treaty OF Washington, Wouiu DC likewise
stayed. Unless they reprdiated the arrangement.
from continuing the winter herring nshery which
they have been prosecuting the last hair century.
Then IL was found that rules and regulations had
70 Be framed between the two governments for
carrying the convention into effect ana Or robert
Bond the premier here, was compelled 10 hurry to
London and intervene on Newfoundlanos behalf
else most valuable rights would have been
tarely surrendered to France. Then III the actual
working OF fishery matters this season 1t was
found that the French were insisting. on the ono
hard. that the new treaty was not IN force and
that therefore NeVtoundland fishermen could rot
effect Judgement on tie coast. while on the other
hand. they claimed that 81 was IN force ana that
they could obtain bait wherever they wished and
the machinery Of imperial oficiadom seemingly
acqu:esced IL both constructions. Now the climax
has been reached IN the prohibition by the naval
authorities of the construction OF a whale factory
on TIE treaty coast before even there is thought
OF whale fishing.
THE WHALE CATCHING QUESTION.
IN connection with this whale factory the CIR
cunstances are as follows: Within the last seven
years the coastwise whaling industry in Newfound-
land has assumed large proportions, and TO prevent
overhshng the government decided to place 1t
under the most stringent legislative enactments-
Accordingly the coastline-excludlng the treaty
coast or French shore-was divided into seventeen
whaling TO secure any Of which involved
pa yrnent of a license fee of $3.50 q year The
French shore excluded because of a sort of
deadlock existing with regard TO II. England
always denied that whale was fish within
the meaning OF the Newfoundland treaties or that
the French had any right to hunt whales within
the littoral waters to employ any whaling ap-
paratus from the shore. And as long ago as 1906
Commodore Duff compelled French fisher
men on that coast to abandon whale which they
had either killed found dead on the ground
that they had right to H. But. on the other
hand since the initiation Of the modern whaling
enterprise the French have protested against the
establishment OF any whale factories the coast
because. first. they would interfere with the cod
fishing operations Of the French trawlers Tesorting
to that seaboard. and, second. all permanent
erections there contrary to the provisions of
the ancient treaties. This is precisely the
position the French take against the building
OF lobster canneries sawmllls piers. wharves. rail
ways, any other immovable structures on that
seaboard. The instructions OF the British Cabinet
20 the officer administering the government Of
Newfoundland precise this matter; eIery-
thing pertaining 10 such has to be submitted for
their consideration and when five ago the
first application was made for whaling site
that coast. the government referred II TO Downing
Street and was informed that such applications
we're to be granted owing TO the French protest
the Governors signature is OF course neces-
sary validate any such document. 1t followed
Inevitably that this industry could not be prosecuted
there
But when the new treaty was signed in April It
extinguished any right claim of the French to
the coast there. and in his speech on tabng the
new convention in the Newfoundland legislature
on April q the premier. Sir Robert Bond. thus
described the altered situation:
The fisherman henceforth may ply his avocation
ana hsrbor for there viii be no FrenSh shore
rights 10 bar his liberty. The. men Of the north
able tG claim as theirs the stations that now are
vas known the treaty coast. the lobster. cod
herring salmon and other fisheries. without fear
The whaling Industry. the esta ablshment ~ which
on the west and northeast coasts has been pre-;
10 appIicents forthwith ana four whale factories
viii be erected this season that shore.
This was a public and official declaration of the
colony's and the empires policy on this subject.
1t resented by France, although there IS
a French consul here and he doubtless reported
the facts 70 his superiors on the faith Of this
declaration OF Premier Bond. reinforced its gem
eral tenor bv the pronouncemcnt OF Secretary
T.-ttelton. already quoted. Newfoundland codhshe--
men eudeavored to ply their calling the treaty
shore. but only he driven Off by the allied war
slips. while now the whalemea who have secured
licenses and pursuing the work OF erecting their
factories being compelled even the
building operations which must precede by a season
the actual fishing itself
PROFITABLE WORK INTERRUPTED
factories
contemplating the fishery itself tbis season because
that impossible, a whaling steamer has to
he built as well the factory erected but they
hoping 10 have everything ready 20 begin
next year. though now. with the prohibition en-
forced against them that has been they will be
bic TO 10 this. As matters stand at present
further work these factories Will not be per
mitted until after the convention has been ratified
by the French Chamber and IL it fails Of this then
the structures VIII have 10 be diHmantled. Each
Of them represents investment Of a bout SIS
ana the industry is a most profitable one. the
dividends ranging from 20 TO 90 per cent annual ly.
II can therefore he easily imagined what the feel
ings OF the investors anc All others interested in
the business at this autocratia interdicting Of
their work, and how the public in general are now
coming 10 regard the alleged settlement of the
question itself scoffing at il make believe
and pointing n the fact that though England has
given every evidence of its sincerity. the French
appear TO be merely playing with them. II would
appear therefore. 10 be emnently desirable that
the British government should take some vigorous
measures 10 assert itself in regard to this treaty
and 10 obtain some assurance from the French
Cabinet that the fate OF the compact will safe
guarded and promptly put beyond question before
well that Newfoundland knew exactly where she
stands and cease to be making herself ridiculous
by assuming a condition Of things which only
does not exist at present. but may never have any
existence at all The action Of the French govern
ment in holding up these whale factories can
hardly be accepted the work OF men sincere in
their protestations of friendship for they not
but after full and ample public notice by the
IS hal lie nd