Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-09
THE NORTHEAST FISHERIES
MODUS VIVENDI CONCLUDED IN
- LONDON SATURDAY.
Substantial Renewal of Last Years
Arrangement-Will Continue Until
Arbitration Settles Controversy.

The modus vivendi to regulate fishing by
| Americans in the treaty waters OF New
foundland, which was concluded in London
Saturday, as announced in yesterdays Star,
by an exchange of-notes between Anbas-
sador Reid and the British secretary OF
state for foreign affairs. has been made
public by Acting Secretary Of State Adee
Mr.. Reds note, recting the agreed terms of
the modus vivendi, is dated September 4,
and Sir Edward Grey's reply, while dated
September @, was not delivered to Ambas-
sador Reid until Saturday night.
The modus so arranged is in terms and
fact substantial renewal of last years ar
rangement. 1t is to continue for this sea-
son and until the long-standing controversy
regarding the fishing question shall be set
| tied by arbitration, unless in the meantime
any OF its provisions should be modified by
some amcable agreement between the New
| foundland authorities and the American
fishermen not droGatory to the right of the
! United States and acceptable to the British
and American governments.
Agreement Three Weeks Ago.
1t was practically agreed some three
weeks ago that last years modus vivendi
should be rene wed for this season, and the
fishing vessels, at the suggestion of Mr..
Adee, left Gloucester for the fishing grounds
on that understanding, while Prof. lAlexan-
der, who sailed for the Newfoundland coast
on the revenue cutter Gresham. has been
instructed to advise the American fishermen
in the same sense as to their rights and
privileges in the jurisdictional waters Of
Newfoundland. The formal conclusion and
publication of the modus have been deferred
pending consideration of the proposal Of the
Newfoundland premier, Sir Robert Bond
that he be afforded opportunity for confer
ence between the insular authorities and
American fishermen y 70 in
Producing some modification in the modus IL
mutual agreement thereon could be reached
and If the change could be effected. having
due regard to the losses that might be in
Cured by change of plans long after
preparations for this seasons fishing had
been made and the fishing vessels had be-
gun theiT voyage. Such notifications are to
be considered in a friendly spirit by the two
governments and to be adopted If not found
to compromise the treaty rights of the
United States and acceptable to both.
The Modus Vivendi.
The text of the modus vivendi is as fol-
lows:
1T is agreed that the fisheries shall be
carried on during the present year substan-
TALLY as they were actually carried on for
most of the time by actual agreement, UNI
der the modus vivendi of 1906
'Q 1t Is understood that his maiesty's
government will not bring into force the
1906, which imposes on American fishing
vessels certain restrictions in addition to
those imposed by the act of 1905. and also
that the provisions of the first part Of sec
ton three of the act of 1895. to boarding
and bringing into port and also the whole
of section three of the same act. will not be
regarded applying to American fishing
vessels.
"(2) In consideration of the fact that the
American shipment of Observation-Disclosures by
American fishermen outside the three-Inile
limit is not to be made the basis of inter-
ference, or TO be penanzed, my government
valves the of purse seines by American
fishermen during the term governed by this
agreement, and also valves the right TO
fish on Sundays.
20 1t is understood that American fish
ing vessels will make their shipment Of
Observation-Disclosures. as fishermen. sufficiently
far from the exact three-mile limit to avoid
reasonable doubt.
20 1t is further understood that American
fishermen will pay light dues when not de-
prived OF their rights 10 fish, and will COM
ply with the provisions of the colonial Gus
toms law as to reporting at custom house
when physically possible to do So