178 IXTERXATIONAL TREATIES. 



pathetic response, and tlie press ol liotli countries sustained tlieir 

 claims. It seemed but simisle justice that the coh^nists slioukl be 

 masters in their own territory and live to develope its resources. 



LOBSTERS NOT I>X'LUDEI> IN TREATIES. 



But the French had to lie reckoned with and they refused tc 

 yiehl an inch on the lobster ([uestion. In Aain did the British 

 diplomatists remonstrate and point out tliat Avhen the treaties 

 were made and gave the French the liberty ot" " taking and dry- 

 ing tish," lobster canning was unknown, and lobsters could not 

 have been included ; that only cod-fisliing could have been in 

 view when " taking and drying tish " was specified, lobsters not 

 being fish, and cainiing a very different process frour "drying ;" 

 that lobster factories are not the "temporary huts and stages" 

 allowed in the treaties, biit permanent buildings which the 

 Frencli wore forbidden to erect. The French still obstinately 

 clung to their claim ; and probalily wearied with their perti- 

 nacity, the British Government offered to sul)mit tlie lobster 

 question to arbitration. This temporizing jjolic}' 2>avcd the way 

 for tJie host of troubles which speedily followed. 



MODUS TIVENDI. 



The Frencli accepted arbitration ; and without suljuiitting the 

 matter to the local legislatuie, the British Government arranged 

 Avith the French a modus vivendi pending the results of the arbi- 

 tration. As soon as this was made known popular indignation 

 burst forth afresh. The Legislature in the Session which opened 

 March 6th, 1890, unanimously adojjted resolutions condemning 

 the inodiis vivendi; and mass meetings of the jjeople followed 

 denouncing it in the strongest terms. It was too late, however, 

 the Britisli Government having been committed to the arrange- 

 ment ; so that the ovodits virandi went into 02)eration and tlie 

 naval officers engaged in the protection of the fisheries received 

 instructions to enforce it. 



MODUS VIVENDI 015JECTI0NABLE. 



The most objectionable feature in this ?/;o(?«.s rinndi was that 

 it gave formal permission to the French to erect loli>ter iactories 



