Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-23
NEW FRENCH TREATY.
Long Dispute Over Newfoundland
Fisheries Is Ended.

st. John, n. F.. April 22.-The diff
Guilty over the French shore treaty has
been satisfactorily adjusted. France
agrees that the clause terminating the
fisheries. Oct. 20 each year applies on
ly to her fishermen. Newfoundland.
Canadian and American fishermen are
not restricted in carrying on the winter
herring fishery. France also agrees to
recognize the British consul at St.
Pierre which will practically end snug
Cling from that place. Great Britain
in return agrees to recognize the
French consul at st. Johns, now resid-
ing here unofficially.
Premier Bond in the legislature
Thursday night, announced the terms
of the French shore clauses of the An
elo-FrenCh colonial treaty.
The treaty is generally regarded as
being of immense benefit to the colony
and the public has accepted it with
the warmest enthusiasm
\ big popular demonstration of ap-
prevail is being organized.
Excepting possibly the adjustment of
the Alaskan boundary dispute. the
reign Of King Edward has been dis
tirguished by no diplomatic event so
important or so benefcent as 4 force
for the maintenance of international
peace as the negotiation of the new
treaty between Great Britain and
France whereby several old controver-
sizes which have been the cause of seri-
Gus friction between the two powers
are permanently settled. III its bearing
upon affairs on the American continent
the treaty is of special Importance
The treaty of Utrecht, signed in 1113
at the close of one of the greatest of
the wars between England and France
during which the first duke of Marl-
borough won fame at Blenheim-the
treaty Of Utrecht coded to France the
exclusive right to the fisheries on ali
that part of the littOraI of Newfound-
land between Cape St John and Cape
Ray. passing around by the north and
down the whole west coast of the
island. This treaty, from which arose
what is known as the French shore
ISSUE" has been the cause of endless
irritation to the natives of Newfound-
land. and many British ministries have
vainly tried to induce France to trade
off the exclusive privileges which it
conferred. The controversies arising
from it have mOr.e than once brought
France and England perilously close to
| the edge of war. and< it was largely
with a view to the possibilities of such
y contingency that England has always
maintained vast system of powerful,
defensive works at Halifax. That
agreement whereby France valves her
exclusive fishing rights i'll Newfound-
| land waters and thus eliminates one
of the very few remaining questions
| which might serve as the pretext for Il
| war in the western hemisphere between
European nations.
In return for her concession as to New
| foundland. France receives an acknowl-
odgment of her supremacy in Madagascar.
the privilege of a free hand in Morocco.
| over which she is about to establish a
jnlotectorate. and desirable advantages in
Africa. including the right of free nav-
cation of the Zambesi river. a definite
frontier line between the Niger river and
Lake Tchard in north Central Africa
and besides these she receives a port on
the Gambia river and Il small group
| known as the Los islands. on the west
coast. Besides waving her exclusive fish
| ing rights in Newfoundland waters.
France formally recognizes the permanent
cy of the British protcctorate over Egypt
| IA protectoratc which, ever since it was
instituted by Gladstone more than % yea rs
ago. with a definite promise that the Brit
iSh occupation of the Nile valley should
he only temporary. has been roga rded by
| French statesmen with unconceaIed cha
grin.
This new treaty is one of the most i'm
nortant diplomatic achievements OF King
Edwards career. and in so far as it re-
lateS to conditions in western bombs
pherc it en'''t",- :" ~ ENGLAND and France
to the hearty congratulations of the Unit
| ed States.
William Deborah and wife, Winnie
bagO Indians. who make their home in