The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-12-10
CANADIANS AND
FISH QUESTION
NORTHERN NElGHBORS NOW
WANT MORE UNIFORM
LAWS
Claim to Be at Disadvantage Under
Present ReguIations-Echo of the
Sealing Cases, Which Are Said to
Have Proved a Boomerang.

Victoria, B. c., Dec. 6-Owing to
the apparent reluctance of the United
States authorities to unite with Can.
ada in the enactment of regulations
that should ensure the conservation
for all time of the salmon fishing in.
dustry of the Pacific Northwest, there
is marked dissatisfaction among the
Gamers of Vancouver island and the
lower British Columbia mainland. The
publication of the total packs on this
and the Washington coast, the com.
parison being in favor of the latter for
the first time, has added fuel to the
fire of indignation.
Among those directly interested in
the industry and in political circles it
is said that the situation resolves it.
self to the question: us the salmon
fishing industry to be adequately pro-
tected or is it to be killed by over
exploitation 1t is looked on as a
certainty that this will be one of the
matters introduced at the Dominion
parliament during the session now in
progress and that Sir Wilfrid Laurier
and his colleagues will be besought to
reopen negotiations with the authori-
ties at Was hington in the endeavor to
induce them to cooperate in the draft
ing of such protective measures as ex-
perts, after due investigation, may con-
slider absolutely necessary.
Canadians at Disadvantage.
That the Canadians were at a disad.
vantage this season, the year of the
big rum" because they had to lift trap
and seine nets for a longer period than
their American neighbors, is one
source of grievance. They point out
that, while they have no objection to
doing anything that may appear right
to prevent the determination of the
fish that mean millions of dollars to
the Northwest, yet it is a hardship to
let the fish go by during the period
bitter competitors are catching as
many as possible. Their claim is that
before any restrictions can be effec-
tive and equitable they must be adopt
ed both by Canada and the United
States, and, moreover, they assert that
If the fishermen of Washington are suf-
fciently broad-minded they must re-
alize that such a policy is in the in
terests of all concerned.
The report that even the existing
regulations south of the border line
are not strictly enforced is another
source of trouble. This statement is
said to come from authoritative quar-
ters. For these reasons the Canadians
have reached such a condition of men.
tai agitation that they are determined
to exert all their influence to bring
about an understanding between the
two countries concerning this question
before another season.
eve should have allowed the Uni
ted States to win that dispute over the
seals some years ago and then we
would be able to insist on our neigh
bors listening in our case regarding
the salmon" remarked an authority.
discussing the situation.
When the contentious of Canada and
the United States. on the sealing in
dustry were arbitrated the latter's ar.
gument was that the seals of the Ber'
ing sea belonged to that country be
cause they bred on the Aleutlan island,
the cubs were left there while the
mothers went away foraging for food,
and that it was while so engaged that,
in the majority of ms tances they were
killed
If this argument had been counted
good by the judges then it is pointed
out that the precedent could be used to
force the United States to recognl-
ton of what British Columbians claim
are their rights with respect to the
salmon. The position is much the same
because the salmon spawn and breed
in Canadian rivers and are caught by
the Americans while on their way to
these waterways for that purpose.
And so, with the passing years, Can
ada's jubilation over the victory won
in the sealing controversy has turned
to regret that such decision was not
given as would enable its use in fore
ing the protection of an industry which
now is admitted to be of tenfold more
Importance than that of sealing, once
so lucrative.
Cream Of Rice.
One-half cup of rice, four tablespoons
Of sugar, one-quarter teaspoon salt.