Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1888-03-10 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

CHAMBERLAIN ON HIS TREATY. On Saturday Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., left New York in the Umbria. On Friday night he was entertained at a banquet by the Canadian Club. In the course of a speech Mr. Chamberlain said the greater knowledge he acquired concerning the country of America only helped to strengthen the kindly feelings which lie already cheriehed towards it. Referring to the Fisheries Treaty, he said that in spite of everything that political science and political ignorance could do to erect barriers between the nations the social and commercial intercourse between the United States and Canada was great and continually extending. Their railway systems so interlocked one another that any disturbance breaking out between the two countries would constitue a peril to hundreds of millions of capital. Yet some time ago, possibly even now, there were teen who would contemplate without anxiety such a disastrous occurrence, and look forward with light hearts to a commercial war, the result of which no man could foresee, and that was by no means the worst thing which might happen if a satisfactory agreement was now to be deemed impossible. The agreement which had been arrived at should be submitted not to partisan prejudice, but to the sober judgment and the friendly feelings which animated the people of both countries. They had seen that the treaty had been denounced 1 as a surrender and a cowardly betrayal, both by 1 leading Canadian and American journals, and by this it might appear at first sight that the views he expressed were inconsistent, but they were absolutely consistent, inthat they were the views of the organs of the Opposition Press of both Governments. Heliad ventured, with some knowledge of the subject, to a;fssert that no surrender had been given by either side of anything which their national honour and interests demanded to be retained. Both sides substantially had gained what they contended for, and the only concessions which had been granted were those which honourable men would gladly tender when endeavouring to settle a difference between friends. No endeavour had been made to gain unfair advantage over opponents on either side. Analysed, the Treaty, he pointed out, removed the causes of irritation which resulted from Canada's action both in 1886 and 1887. Had the Treaty been in operation then not snore than two out of the numerous cases of interference woula have occurted. It was not true, therefore, that Canada conceded nothing. She had conceded everything to the claims of humanity, international courtesy, and the comity of nations which could possibly be demended. At the same time she maintained, as she was bot.nd to maintain, the vital and essential interests of her citizens. Every jurist would agree that , Canada had a legal right to refuse most of the con- 1 cessions made in that treaty. She did not interpret ' her legal rights in the strictest sense, but had conceded to a friendly nation all the conveniences, all the privileges possible without serious injury to her own subjects. Canada declined to allow her ports to be made the base of operations for competitors who exclude her from their markets. She offered those facilities freely in return for an equivalent; and while that equivalent was dented she was justified in refusing facilities essential to the conduct of the fisheries. The right hon. gentleman closed an eloquent address by referring to the increasing importance of strengthening the friendship between the two countries, and he declared that it would be the proudest event of his life if he had a humble part in that great work. _ _  Mr. Chamberlain has forwarded from Washington to Lord Salisbury a despatch respecting the settlement by the Commissioners of the fisheries question. Mr. Chamberlain expresses the hope that the arrange• ments made will be approved by the Government, and that they may "assist in confirming and extending the friendly and cordial relations between the united States and Great Britain."  The inquest on the body of Mary Miller, aged 46, who was murdered at Moston by Alfred Gill, was opened on Saturday before the district coroner. Evidence of identification was given, and witnesses were called as to the finding of the murdered woman's body in her cottage. The inquiry was then adjourned. Isabella Miller, the daughter, is slowly progressing.  _ On Saturday the coroner for West Middlesex was apprised of the supposed suicide of a married woman named Caroline Smith, aged 30. It appears that on Friday, shortly before noon, a heavy thud was heard in the back yard of the house in Hammermuith , where Mrs. Smith lived, and she was then discovered dying. 1!. is supposed that the poor woman, worn out with MI •is and depression, deliberately leaped from her bed rum] window.