New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-23
| NEWFOUNDLAND ELECTION
Bearing on Canadian and United
States Interests.


struggle in this island may important bear
ing upon the future relations between the Canadian
Dominion and the American Republic. In the mat
/ ter OF the Atlantic fisheries dispute Newfoundland
is the pivotal factor she controls the inshore b
fisheries essential to the French, Americans and
Canadians on the Grand Banks. Premier Bond, one
of the authors OF the Bond-Hay treaty, is now In
power In this colony and IS rather favorably dis
posed to the United States though chafng under
the way in which that treaty has been shelved by
the Senate at Washington through the mapipua-
tions OF the Gloucester fishing interests. Bonds
Liberal Ministry IS opposed here by an amalgaTAa-
ton Of all the other political leaders. whose object
| is 10 federate the colony with Canada. Newfound-
land being only of the North American pos
| sessions of the British Crown which now remains
apart from the union
The continuance OF the independent status OF
Newfoundland is essential to the successful prose-
cution Of the deep fisheries by the coast folk
OF New-England. II Newfoundland were a part OF
Canada tomorrow the administration OF the fish
cry laws would be concentrated in the Ottawa
Cabinet instead OF Newfoundland enforcing her
own and the moment Ottawa would acquire con-
troll that moment Canada would shut out the
American fishermen from the batting growing and
Quitting privileges they now enjoy and demand
measure Of reciprocity In return for the restoration
Of them This would be altogether disastrous to
the success of the New-En gland maritime enter
prise as now carried and would prove crush
ing II not a fatal blow to the prosperity OF
Gloucester. the headquarters Of that Industry
A clearer understanding of this problem will be
secured by graspng the fact that bait. in the form
of small fishes obtained inshore, is needed In fish
ing for cod, haddock and haiibut the Banks.
The great batting ground IS the south coast Of
Newfoundland The resident fishermen. Of course.
obtain this bait unhampered. The Canadians
allowed it under rigid regulations The French,
who formerly had it. have not had IT for fifteen
years. and Newfoundland enforces a Bait act
against them that has crippled their fishery ard
paralyzed St, Pierre The Americans formerly OBJ
tanned bait as a reciprocity equivalent. but since
1855 have been allowed it by paying an annual
license fee of 81 80 ton register OF their fishing
vessels. In that Xear the Chamberlain Pa yard
reciprocity treaty negotiated at Washington.
ana modus vivend. with this clause to 81 80
a ship ton. was arranged for two years, 20 a6rait
OF the treaty being considered by the Senate
When that body rejected 1t Canada proposed to
Newfoundland to join her in excluding American
fishermen from both their waters but Newfound-
land refused because she then had an opportunity
20 effect reciprocity compact OF her own which
she did in the Bond-Blaine Convention. When
this was signed Canada. in revenge. put pressure
on the British government to shelve II. and u
was pigeonholed at Downing Street for twelve
years to enable Canada to make similar bargain.
But this she could not do. because the basis Of the
Bond Blaine Convention was free entry Of New
found!and fish to American markets in return for
free batting and Kindred privileges to American
fishermen in Newfoundland waters, and as Canada
had no batting concessions to offer being herself
dependent on Newfoundland for bait. Washington
declined TO hearken to any Of her proposals as
she would have gained all the advantages without
giving any in return.
Canada abandoned her opposition IN 1902 and
Premier Bond then framed the new Bond-Tay
treaty with Secretary Hay. which is now awaiting
ratification by the Senate. But Canada is endeay-
oTing to-day to compass her ends by other means
and is understood to be the aninating spirit in the
movement that has recently taken shape here to
rush this colony into confederation.
WORKING FOR CONFEDERATION
All the public men in the colony not connected
with Premier Bonds administration have suddenly
banded themselves together oppose him, and
while they do not admit that their policy is con-
federation, because people are bitterly opposed
to union with Canada, they are all avowed con-
federates individually, with exception, and the
shrewest political observers IN the colony believe
their aim is force federatng ordinance through
the legislature at II elected and take their
reward in office and emolunent at Ottawa Canada
is now so fully convinced Of the immense i'm
portance Of Newfoundland TO round of the Do
minion that she is willing to pay almost any price
to obtain it, as it will give her the mastery Of this
fishery dispute and enable her to dictate terms to
the United States in regard to the future prosecu-
ton OF this industry the Grand Banks. The
carrying Of confederation in this colony would be
a national catastrophe to New England. because
1t would exclude the American trawlers from &C
cess to every port in maritime Canada and New
founhland. except on tho strip OF western coast
which Is known as the 'tTench ShOr6' and
which the Americans have certain fishery rights
also under the treaty of 1873 though the valueless-
OF these is best attested by the fact that the
French are now abandoning that region. their
occupation OF it has dwindled down to fifteen sta
lions and four hundred men, and in four or five
years moro they will have abandoned It altogether.
so unproAtabfesfs the fishery there.
It is clear then that the maintenance Of friendly
relations between the United States and Canada
turns upon the outcome Of the Newfoundland po-
faJa-
fected, Canada's aggressive action In consequence
would reopen this vexed issue and provoke serious
friction. seizures OF American fishing vessels and
diplomatic disputes the result Of which none can
foresee In this connection, however It is interest
ing 70 note Canada's remarkable attitude toward
the support Of the British navy, in view Of the
part that arm would have 10 play should Canada
become too dictatoral in her conduct II is an
extraordinary colonial paradox which Newfound-
land and Canada are now illustrating. The former,
while attestng its loyalty TO the empire by form
ing splendid naval reserve. stands for what may
be considered an ant-imperial trade policy by urg-
ing the Bond-Hay treaty, while the latter. though
indorsing imperial preferential duty for Brit
ish goods.s yet dissents from imperial defence
scheme and plans i naval force distinct from and
independent of that of the Mother Country.
Yet Canada may have to call upon the British
navy for aid IN year or two, should she create 4
fisheries difficulty with the United States. New
foundand's attitude SIS TO reciprocity is less open
to objection than Canada's aIoofness as TO naval
defence. Even II Newfoundland secures reciproc-
fly it will not mjUre Cauada's interests, because
the American tarin now affects the fish of both
end if this is released for Newfoundland Canada
viii be no worse of. and as for us is island
with only one industry and trying to make n bar
gain to insure the fullest exploitation OF that.
whereas Canada has many and diversified industrial
interests we have no commerce to be jeopardized
by 4 war: our fishing craft would not attract an
eneyuy's cruisers. and our imports only food
stufrs in the main Yet Newfoundland so fully rec