The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-08

Inc relations OF the United states
with all foreign governments have con-
tinued upon the normal basis of an.ity
and good understanding and ar. very
generally satisfactory Pursuant to the
provisions of the general treaty of
arbitration concluded between the
United States and Great Britain April
fans. a special agreement was en-
tsrsd iI.gp hetween the two countries
IN January ~, 1909. for the submls-
sion OF questions relating To the fish
cries on the North Atlantic coast to "A
tribunal 10 be formed from members
of the permanent court of arbitration
at The Hague
In accordance with the provisions of
the special agreement the printed
case Of each government was. on DC
tober 4 last, submitted - the other
and to the arbitration tribunal at The
Hague and the counter case af the
United States Is now in course or
preparation. The American rights I'M
der the fisheries article of the treaty
of 1918 have been a cause of difference
between the United States and Great
Britain for nearly 20 years. The in
terests involved are of great i'm
purtance to the American fishing In
dvstry and the final settlement Of the
controversy viii remove source of
constant irritation and con. plant. This
is the first case involving such great
international questions, which has been
submitted To the permanent court of
arbitration at The Hague.
The treaty between the United States
and Great Britain concerning the Cam
adam International boundary concluded
April IL. 1908, authorizes the appoint
ment of two commissioners to define
and mark accurately the international
boundary line between the Unitea
States and the Dominion of Canada
In the waters of the Passamauuotldy
bay. and provides for the exchange of
briefs within the period of six months.
The briefs We're duly presented within
the prescribed period. but as the com
missioners failed to agree within six
months after the exchange OF tn.
printed statements, as required by the
treaty, IL has now become necessary
to resort to the arbitration provided
for in the article. The international
fisheries commission, appointed pur-
suant to and under the authority bf
the convention of April II, 1905. be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain has completed n system of uni
form and common international rela-
lions for the protection and preserpa-
ton of the food fishes In international
boundary waters of the United States
and Canada
The regulations will be duly sub
fnitted to congress with a view to the
enactment of such legislation as will
he necessary under the convention to
plt them into operation. The conven-
ton provides for the settlement of
international differences between the
United States and Canada, including
the superintendent between the two
countries of certain boundary
waters and the appointment OF com
missioners To adjust certain other
questions signed on the eleventh day
of January. 1909. and to the ratifiea-
ton of which the senate gave its
advice and consent of iarch 3. 1909,
has not yet been ratified on the part
IF Great Britain.
Commissioners have been appointed
on the part Of the United States to act
jointly with commissioners on the part
of Canada in examining into the aucs-
ton of distractions in the st: John
river between Maine and New Bruins
wick and to make recommendations
for the regulation of the uses thereof.
and are now engaged in this work
Negotiations for an international con-
conference to consider and reach an
Arrangement providing for the preser-
walton aEi protection of the fur seals
IA The North Pacific are in progress
with the governments of Great Britain.
Japan and Russia. The attitude of
the governments interested leads me
TO hope for satisfactory settlement !
OF this question as the ultimate out
come OF the negotiations. i
The second peace conference recently /
held at The Har,ae adop,ed "A CON
vention for tn establishment of an
international prize court upon the joint {
proposal Of delegations of tie United +
State France, Germany and Great /
Britain.
The law To be observed by the tri- /
bunal in h decision of prize cases was.
however. left in an uncertain and .
therefore unsatisfactory state. Article /.
of the convention provided that the /
court Was to be governed by the pro-
visions of treaties existing between the
beligerents. but that i'm the absence
of such provisions the court shall ap-
nlv the rules Of international law. If
no generally recognized rule exist the
court shall give Judgment in accord
ance with the general principles of
justice and equity. As. however. many
questions in international maritime
law are understood differently and
therefore interpreted differently in
various countries, il was deemed adj
visable not to intrust legislative pow