New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-17
AMERICANS DRIVEN OFF.
CRUISER FOR FISHERMEN.
Newfoundland Minister of Marine
Orders Gloucester Tessels off Coast.

Washington, Oct. 16.-Through Representative
Gardner. of Massachusetts, the Gloucester fish
ermen to-day officially laid before the State De-
partment their grievances against the New
foundland government which they charge with
forbidding all vessels of American register TO
fish the treaty coast. This right. the fisher
men claim, is granted them by the treaty of
1915 between the United States and Great
Britain
Through the British Ambassador, Sir Moru-
mer Durand. Secretary Root has been informed
that the Newfoundland government disclatms
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 Minister OF Marine and
Fisheries but insists that he is there on duty
not, connected with the question. Until Repre-
sentative Gardner has been able to obtain fur
Their details of the reputed action of the New
foundland government against the fishermen.
and the reasons therefor. Secretary Root will
not make further representations to the London
government Mr.. Gardner has telegraphed to
Gloucester to obtain additional information
The Gloucester-N Newfoundland fisheries ques-
ton revived last week by telegram re-
ceived by Secretary Root from Senator Lodge
saying that it was reported that the Newfound-
land cruiser Fiona had arrived in the Bay OF
for Marine and Fisheries on board. and that the
Minister had forbidden all vessels Of American
registry to fish on the treaty coast. where they
were then located. A comm uniCation was I'M
mediateIy sent to the British Ambassador at
Ienox requesting any information he might
have on the subject The Ambassador communl-
Gated with the Newfoundland government by
wire and started Immediately for Washington
arriving here Friday night. Since then the Sec
rotary has received from the Ambassador tne
contents of the latters dispatch from the Gov
ernor of Newfoundland, expressing ignorance Oh
the report and adding that he would investigate
its accuracy. These are all the facts In the
possession Of the department thus far.
Representative Gardner and benjamin ~
Smith a Boston shipowner. who accompanied
him to Washington, had a long conference WIN
Secretary Root this morning. They presehteu
all the information they possessed on the SUD
ject. Information had reached them tIlat ceL-
tain American captains of fishing Vessels now
in the Bay of Islands had been forbidden by the
Minister of Fisheries to ply their business there
The report assigned no reason for TINS alleseu
order. A speech made last spring, however ny
Sir Robert Bond Premier of Newfoundland, III
which he is quoted as advocating the exclusion
of American fishermen from certain waters noI
specifically mentioned in the treaty or 1910, leu
to the suspicion that the alleged order might
form the initiative of this policy The Gloucester
fishermen contend that If this is the position OF
the Newfoundland government they are pre-
pared to meet that issue by en- array OF facts
which will prove the inCorTeCtneSS OF any sucn
construction of the treaty The rights threat
ened have been enjoyed by American fisher folk
for ninety years. That reported Interpretation
of the treaty would prohibit them from hshnS
in the bays and harbors of the Newfoundland
coast