Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-11-15
Canadians at st. Johns Indig-
nant at Outcome Of Fish
cries Controversy
AMERICANS SECURE
RIGHTS
Modus vivendi Just Secured Will Give
American Fishers Protection in the
New Foundland Observation-Disclosures
Of Hay Bond Treaty Would Have
Settled Dispute.

st. Johns, N. F., Nov. 15.-The au-
thorities of this colony are indignant
at the action Of the British govern
ment because Of its agreement with the
United States on the fisheries ques-
ton, and especially resent the attitude
OF the commander, of the British cruls-
err Brilliant, who has assured the fish
,er folk that the Anglo American mo-
dus vivendi will protect them.
AS an evidence Of the determination
of the colonial authorities in their OPP
position to the modus vivend recent
ly ratified colonial fishery inspector
tomorrow expects to issue writs for the
Bay of Islands and Bonnie bay for
joining American vessels In fishing OPP
erations. The colonial officers hope to
demonstrate by these two trials that
the government is in earnest and thus
to put a stop to the practice of the
colonial fishermen Of Joining American
vessels.
The action is prompted by the recent
ruse of masters of Gloucester, Mass.
schooners, who. in order to secure fish
in Newfoundland waters, engaged coli
onists to work on their vessels.
Under the modus vivendf just agreed
upon by the British and American
governments Americans have the same
rights in Newfoundland waters that
were accorded to them by the treaty OF
1918. The vital part of this treaty, 50
far as the fisheries are concerned. was
contained in the first article, which fol-
lows:
1.-The inhabitants of the United
States shall have forever, in common
with the subjects of his Britannia
ma esty, the liberty to take fish of ev-
cry kind on that part Of the southern
coast of Newfoundland which extends
from Cape Ray to the Ramean is
lands, on the western and northern
coasts. The, American fishermen shall
have liberty forever to buy and cure
fish in any of the unsettled bays. har-
bors and creeks Of the southern part OF
the coast of Newfoundland above de-
scribed, such right to terminate when
any portions become settled"
In consideration Of these rights the
United States agreed to renounce al!
other rights formerly enjoyed by Its
inhabitants to take, dry or cure tish on
or within three marine miles of any OF
the coasts. bays, creeks or harbors OF
Great Britain in America and were
only to enter such bays or harbors foT'
shelter or to obtain water or wood.
Had the Hay Bond treaty been rati-
a., -, +ha ronota in 1903 the dispute
now on over the fisheries question
| would not exist.
Failure to ratify this treaty-nego-
tiated by the late John Hay American
secretary of state, and Premier Bono
( of Newfoundland-resul In the
| abrogation by the colonial government
of the right which Americans had en-
| loved for twenty years-the right 70
! f1sh in the waters of Newfoundland.
The Americans thus were thrown back
on their strict treaty rights. which
made 1t Impossible for them to BUY
| herring from the colonists, to hire the
colonists to fish for them or to buy
gear or supplies in Newfoundland. In
| other words. the limiting Of the priv
leges of Americans to the strict rights
secured nv treaty meant the destruc-
ton Of the American fishing INDUSTRY
| in Newfoundland waters. >,
| In this emergency a modus vlvenul
was agreed upon Oct. s, 1906, reViVlns
FOR this season the rights secured NY
| the treaty OF 1918. Under the naoaus
v;yendi the American captains nave the
right to use purse seines and to EN-
NOV colonial fishermen.