iNTEKXATioxAL ti;p:aties. 181 



in the world, ami in a document marked liy liigli a1>ility, mo- 

 deration and wisdom, set forth the long array of their country's 

 wrongs and grievances, in words Avhich made a deeji inqiression 

 on that great assemblage. The House of Lords was crowded to 

 an extent rarely witnessed before. The appeal of the delegates 

 was listened to with deep sympathetic interest ; and generous 

 applause was given to it by .speakers of both political parties. 

 The pre.ss of England joined in approval of the dignified and 

 judicious position assumed by the delegation. They wisely 

 offered, on behalf of the Legislature by whom they had been 

 accredited, to pass the necessary enactments to enable England 

 to fulfil her treaty obligations. The obnoxious measure before 

 the House was then withdrawn, arrangements were made for ar- 

 riving at an agreement between the British Government and the 

 delegates as to the nature of the enactment which the Colonial 

 Legislature would be asked to sanction for the enforcement of 

 the treaties. In regard to what followed it is only necessary to 

 say that misunderstandings arose. A comjjlete and satisfactory 

 enactment has not yet been passed by the local legislature ; but 

 such an understanding has been reached as has removed manj- 

 difficulties out of the way, and leaves little doubt that a measure 

 will ere long receive the sanction of the Imperial authorities and 

 the local legislature, -which will secure the objects in view. 

 Meantime, the modus vivendi has been continued, by local enact- 

 ment, till the close of 1895. This will give time for further 

 negotiations. 



HARDSHIPS OF TBEATIES. 



It is very clear from the foregoing narrative of events, that this 

 " French Shore Question" is about as far as ever from a solution. 

 What the people of XcMfoundland want is to be made masters 

 in their own territory, and to get rid of these French claims. 

 They have no wish to disturb the French in their possession of 

 St. Pierre and Micjuelon, or to interfere with their fishery on the 

 Banks for which these i.«lands furnish a basis. But they keenly 

 feel the injustice of slnitting up half of an island larger than 



