The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-12-04
WRITING ''FINIS"
ON FISH DISPUTE
Uncle Sans and jain Bulls
Century Old Trouble Settled
WITH AID OF HAGUE TRIBUNAL.
Newfoundland Fishing Banks Havo
Been In Dispute Between the Two
English Speaking Nations Since the
War of 1s12-5ryce's Mission to
America Accomplished.

War of 1912-Bryce's Mission to
America Accomplished.
Diplomatic courtesies exchanged be-
tween Secretary of State Knox and
Ambassador Bryce in Washington this
week mark the official end Of the cen
tury old dispute between Great Britain
and the United States rs to their re-
spcctlve rights on the Newfoundland
fishing banks. This is the final ratihca-
ton Of the award of The Hague tribu-
nal. 1910, when the differences of the
national arbitration.
Ambassador Bryce was chosen to rep
resent his country here in view Of his
particular fitness to handle the qucS-
tion.
The Newfoundland fishing bank"
have been boue of contention ever
since their discovery by the French in
1897. Friction between the French
and English over fishing rights was
settled by the treaty of Utrecht in 1913.
which gave England sovereignty over
the entire territory. Americas rights
to fish along the Grand Banks and the
Canadian, including the Newfoundland,
coast were recognized at the close of
our war of independence by the treaty
of Versailles.
The war Of 1912 terminated this
treaty, and Immediately arose disputes
that were not settled until 1918. when
the treaty of Ghent was signed.
Abroeated Twelve Year Treaties.
The twelve year treaties of 1854 and
1871 We're in each case abrogated by
the United States at the end of their
term. Canadian statesmen several
times made pilG-images to Washing
ton, hoping to be able to secure recip-
rocal agreements, but their missions
were In vain. The Bayard Chamber
lain treaty, which met Canadian ap-
proval in 1883 while our senate refused
TO ratify it, was In certain important
features in accordance with the award
finally made by The Hague tribunal.
In 1905 our senate refused to accept
the terms Of the Bond-Hay convention.
In retaliation Premier Bond of Canada,
who had been pushing the treaty, In
itiated n crusade against American
winter herring fishing as part of a cam
paign to compel tariff concessions by
the American government to New
foundland on the ground that it was
not a fishery but a trade operation.
Since herring brought into Gloucester,
Mass, on American ships came in duty
free while Newfoundland fishermen in
British vessels had to pay heavy duty
It came to be the custom for American
vessels to visit the Newfoundland coast
and purchase their cargoes Of herring
from the resident fishermen who act
ually caught them and were glad to sell
them TO American craft as a matter of
ordinary commerce. After this there
was more friction than ever until the
matter was submitted to The Hague
tribunal In the form Of seven questions
Uncle sam's Contentious.
The important contentious of the
United States were the following:
Ffrst--American fishing rights under
the treaty Of Ghent were not subject to
regulation by Greet Britain, Canada or
Newfoundland as to hours, days and
seasons when fish might be taken on
the treaty coasts, or the method, means
and implements employed in taking
fish, unless the reasonable and neces-
sary nature Of such regulat ations had al
ready been passed upon by both gov
ernments.
Second.-American vessels in the ex-
ecution Of fishing rights may employ as
members OF the crew persons not in
habitants Of the United States.
Third,-American fishing vessels can
not be subject to the requirements Of
entry or reporting at the custom house
or the payment Of light or harbor dues.
The decisions Of the Hague judges
gave concessions to both sides. They
found that Great Britain has the right
to make regulations over the fishing
banks to which the United States has
access by the treaty of 1918, without
the consent Of the United States and
that such right is inherent in her SOW
ereignty.
Future regulations.
But to insure the justness of such
regulations the tribunal recommended
the appointment Of fishery experts to
determine the justice Of all existing
regulations and Of a permanent com
mission representing both countries to
arbitrate all future regulations which
might be called in question.
The question OF natural bays and
the limits Of the three mile line, be-
yond which American fishermen may
not venture along certain coasts, was
decided In favor of Great Britain. 1t
was held that the line does not follow
the contour OF the shore, but Is line
drawn across all bays where they
cease TO be bays, limiting this measure
to bays with outlets less than ten
miles across, except in certain In
stances, called Historical bays"
Tho TTnItaa Qfataa aaanHnA kbo wIukt.