The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-09-07
Of the Fishing Business in the
Gulf of Mexico.
SERIOUS CHARGE MADE By GAL
WESTON PARTIES, WHO CLAIM
THAT FIRMS HAVE BEEN APP.
PREACHED BY REPRESENTA-.
TIVES OF THE MEXICAN CON
CERN-GALVESTON VIEW OF
SITUATION.

Conspiracy between the Mexican gov
eminent and the big fish companies
which are being established by corpora
tions in that country. is charged by
Galveston parties, and it is claimed that
in the effort to drive the gulf fishing
companies out of business and thus have
no opposition the corporations have en-
listed the services of the Mexican gov
eminent, and the plan of seizing vessels
has been adopted. II this charge can be
substantiated il is very probable that the
United States will have something to say
in regard TO the matter, as the Cam
| peache fishing grounds are in open water.
Notwithstanding the claims of the Mexi-
! can government. 1t is claimed that pro-
posals have been made fishing companies
at Pensacola, Mobile and other gulf ports
| by these corporations, but have been re-
jected, and that to drive them out OF
business their vessels are being seized
by the Mexican government upon the
charge of poaching.
The seizure of the Aloah, of Galveston,
| this week, has renewed interest and dis
cussion In these cases, and brought Ia
mind the seizure of the Silas Stearns. OF
| this port, and the treatment of her crew.
This vessel is still held at Vera Cruz
and the case has been appealed TO the
higher Mexican courts. The seizure is
| said to have been a very high handed
affair. and was brought to the attention
of the United States officials who, how
ever. have so far been unable to afford
any relief, as is shown by the seizure OF
| the Aloah.
Charge of Conspiracy.
The Galveston Tribune of recent date,
| in a lengthy article on the seizure OF the
I Aloah, contained the following:
There Is every appearance of con-
spiracy being fostered by certain corpor-
atoms which gained possession of the
most valuable fishing grounds in the
Campeache bay, II the term possession
could literally be applied to the case. So
| far as the Mexican officials are concerned.
| they seem to take ii upon themselves to
use the word possession in many differ
! ent ways, even to the extent of applying
1t to the whole bay territory. Those cor
porations, which appear to have drawn
the wool over the Mexican officials eyes
and are misleading the government in
their contentious, have repeatedly pro-
posed to furnish the Gulf Fisheries and
those of Pensacola and Mobile all the
| fishing territory they wanted provided
they were willing to take such grounds
as are not profitable to them because OF
their nearneSs to the reefs and the shore.
Manager Mum has answered these as
sertions by stating that they have no
need of concessions where there is no fish,
and they have as much right as any
body to catch all the red snappers they
want in the open sea. Led on by their
proposition to clear the Campeachc bay
of all fishermen with the exception OF
their fleets, which feed the large pack
cries and shipping plants which are be-
ing established in the Mexican country,
the Mexican government has apparently
laid aide all reaon in the matter and Is
blind to the demands of universal law
covering such.
1.-THE Aloah was new vessel and has
so gross tons. The place of her cap
ture Areas, lies 80 miles northwest OF
the Mexican port of Vera Cruz. The
point where the other vessels were cap
tured was in the vicinity of West TRAM
gular reef, which is some lilo miles from
Vera Cruz.
1.-THE Adams and the Pensacola and
Mobile boats are now at Vera Cruz, to
which port they were taken from
Progreso following the release OF the
crews and thei1. subsequent landing in
Galveston. The cargoes were disposed
of and the vessels are claimed by tho
Mexicans as theirs pending che outcome
of the trial whion Is taking fits course in
the courts. In the first trial, the Mexi-
| cans held the vessels but a new trial has
been ordered, acting upon evidence. IL 10
| said, that has come into the possession OF
| the American officials and the effort OF
| Secretary Roots decision regarding the
| three-mile limit"
VIII Go Out Of Business.
In the same issue Of the Tribune APP
| peared the following interview with Man-
| ager Num- OF the Gulf Fisheries Com
pany relative TO the Aloah seizure:
! 1.-The United States will either have 10
protect our vessels In the open sea, or
else we will have to go out Of business"
said Manager Mum to-day. we have
| complied with every phase OF the law re-
! garding such instances. and to have one
| of our vessels taken UP in the manner
which we have reason 10 believe the
| Aloah was captured Is clear breach OK
/ International law. There are several
| things To be considered in this matter.
] and while the case OF the other vessel OF
Ours which was captured by the Mexicans
J has not been settled. Secretary Root has
| defined his position I'm the matter and
new trial will doubtless be called In
short time.
Secretary Root holds that the three
mile limit Is international in Its scope ana
Is recognized by the world over. Just
rule for wanting to claim twenty kilo-
oh 81 FnfiaE nj he