The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-10-19
VIOLATION OF TREATY
ACCUSATION is MADE AGAINST
NEWFOUNDLAND BY AMERI-
CAN FISHERMEN.
cOOT TAKES UP THE MATTER
SECRETARY OF STATE BEGINS AN
INVESTIGATION INTO THE
CHARGES MADE.

Washington, Oct. 17.-Through Rep
fesentative Gardner of Massachusetts,
the Gloucester fishermen Monday OIL
cial,y laid before the state department
their grievances against the New
foundland government, which they
charge with forbidding all vessels OF
American register to fish on the treaty
coast. This right, the fishermen claim,
Is granted them by the treaty of 1918
between the United States and Great
Britain.
Through the British ambassador, Sir
Mortimer Durand, Secretary Root has
been informed that the Newfoundland
government disclaims all knowledge
of any action in violation of this treaty.
The Newfoundland government admits
the arrival at the Bay of Islands on
board the cruiser Fiona of the minis
ter for marine and fisheries, but IN
sists he is there on duty not connected
with the question.
Until Representative Gardner has
been able to obtain further details or
the reputed action of the Newfound-
land government against the fishermen
and the reasons therefor, Secretary
Root will not make further representa-
lions to the London government. Mr..
Gardner has telegraphed to Gloucester
to obtain additional information.
The Gloucester and Newfoundland
fisheries question was revived last
week by telegram received by Secre-
tarv Root from Senator Lodge saying
it was reported that the Newfound-
land cruiser Fiona had arrived In the
Bay of Islands on the treaty coast with
the minister for marine and fisheries
on board. and that the minister had
forbidden all vessels of American reg
! istry to fish on the treaty coast where
they were then located.
Governor Will Investigate.
A communication was Immediately
sent to the British ambassador at
Lennox requesting any information he
might have on the subject. The am
| bassador communi Gated with the New
/ foundland government by wire and
started Immediately for Washington,
arriving here Friday night. Since then
| the secretary has received from the
/ ambassador the contents OF the latter S
/ dispatch from the governor OF New"
! foundland, expressing ignorance OF the
report. and adding he would lnVestl.
gate it's accuracy. These are all the
facts in the possession Of the depart
ment thus far.
Representative Gardner and Benja
min A. Smith, a Boston ship owner,
who accompanied him to Washington
had long conference with Secretary
Root Monday morning. They present
ed all information they possessed on
the subject. Information had reached
them that certain American captains
of fishing vessels now in the Bay OF Is
lands had been forbidden by the minis
ter of fisheries to ply their business
there. The report assigned no reason
for this alleged order. A speech made
last spring, however, by Sir Robert
Bond, premier of Newfoundland. II
which he is quoted as advocating the
exclusion of American fishermen from
certain waters not specifically men
toned in the treaty of 1918, led to the
suspicion that the alleged order nigh
form the initiation of this policy.
The Gloucester fishermen contend
that if this is the position Of the New
foundland government they are pre-
pared to meet that issue by an ARA.
of facts which will prove the incorrect
ness of any such construction of tn
treaty.
The rights threatened have been en-
joyed by American fishermen for nine
ty years The reported Interpretation
of the treaty would prohibit them from
fishing in the bays and harbors OF TIT
Newfoundland coast.
1t is believed that there has beel
some misunderstanding which cal
easily be cleared up as soon as tn
facts can be obtained.