New-York tribune., 1907-09-26
SIR R. BOND BLOCKED.
COLONIAL LAWS NULL.
Jmperial Rescnpt Stops Legal Ac'
fiOns AGAINST n mer1cdNs.

:, rohn,s. \. F. Sept. 25.-An imperial re-
-,-,n- forhiddine the service by any colonial
s,,tboritv of any legal process regarding fishery
lights aboard any American vessel and sus-
andine all colonial statutes authorizing colonial
sc;sfe 10 seize American vessels for alleged
<.se-v offences was proclaimed here to-day
-his IT II believed, will make ii practically I'M
rnssible for Premier Bond to carry out his re-
,s,-Iv announced decision 70 enforce the colonial
fishery laws
The rescript forlids service in any suit ques-
.ioning rights of Americans under the conven-
tim of 1878 OF in any suit against persons
.-,nloyed ABOARD such vessels as part or crews
engaged in exercising their rights under the
treaty. unless the senior British naval officer
m the station has previously consented TO the
issuance OF such legal process. This ordnance
e. issued. the rescript says, TO prevent any
dispute relating TO the common fishery reh'S
established by the convention Of lolo-
The inhabitants of Bay of Islands. the prlr-
cipaJ herring fishery section affected by the
fisheries dispute. at mass meeting heio idst
night adopted resolutions urging the coionlai
government to remove all restrictions on the
eehe-ies during the present season in view OF
.he fact that the whole question is about 10 pe
submitted to the Hague tribunal for arol'ra'io"
Similar meetings were held by the nsheiilie''
at Bav St George and Bonne Bay In edCh 0"'0
Il was voted to ask the government 10 reiioN0
all restrictions against the sale OF herring ti!u
obvfatins the necessity OF the fishermen s'ilp
ming on board American vessels OUTSIDE 'e
t,,-aa-roile limit in order to dispose Of their
catch The fishermen adopted resolutions i''-
dorsing the governments contention mat "e
$50 t.s cole jurisdiction over the inshore
fisheries.
Premier Bond to-day telegraphed the chalr-
man Of the meetings assuring them tha' 'he
rove-nrnent acceded to their request ana mat
lawful authority had been granted to enable the
fishermen 10 sell their herring to the highest
bidder during the present fishing season
The Pren1ier-s reply indicates that the govern
-rent IN view of the Issuance Of the Imperial
-escrspt has decided TO prevent the exercise of
imperial authority by withdrawing all colonial
restrictions against Newfoundland fishermen
hiring on board American vessels. In other
words Americans will be able TO enter New
foundland waters and buy herring from the
coionists without interference as they did prior
to 1905.
Washington. Sept 25.-Great Britain having
entered into q modus vivendi with America
continuing the rights of American fishermen
to ply their vocation in Newfoundland waters
pending specific determination of those rights
cording to the view Of the officials here, the
British government in good faith could do no
less than intervene by order IN council to
prevent Sir Robert Bond, the Newfoundland
Premier, from infringing the rights Of the
Americans. II is stated that when Sir Robert
Bond wss in London recently he fully
qlainted with this purpose on the part Of the
British government His threat 10 enforce
colonial laws. passed with the deliberate intent
IF deriving American fishermen Of their treaty
rights is regarded by officials here mere
bluff. supported by a majority of New
foundlanders According 10 one report TO the
State Department. Sir James Winter, who pre-
ceded Sir Robert Bond the Premier there, in
2 n interview said:
The feeling in the colony is either one Of in
difference TO and even ignorance OF the whole
question. or among very small fraction Of the
policy which Sir Robert Bond has accepted
The only fisheries in the colony which are d.
rectly affected by the present question are those
which are much better served by being left
alone. that is, not interfered with by Sir Robert
Bond-hsheries which accordingly preserved
and conserved by the nodus Vivendi.
This view /. accepted as correct by the State
Department
The American fishing captains offered tempt
ing wages to the Newfoundland fishermen to
ship on their vessels. This interfered seriously
with the designs Of the local boat owners: hence
the opposition backed by Sir Robert Bond.