IXTERNATIOXAL TREATIES. 189 



never reflect that the XewfouucUanders, being on the spot, have 

 the best means of judging of the merits of tlie disjiute. Thus 

 the Newfoundlanders have been abused by 'inspired' pens and 

 high officials in England for refusing to accept the treaty of 

 1885, alleged to be so favourable to the island. The true reason 

 for such a rejection Avas this : France had, from time immemorial, 

 had more clever surveyors and negotiators tlian England in those 

 parts. Thus her accomplished French surveyors made a plan 

 vhicli looks delightful on paper to the uninitiated. The English 

 settlers were surrendered parts of the disputed coast ; but, here 

 a bit and there a bit was reserved absolutely to France. Now, 

 these bits happened to include all the good harbours of the 

 coast. All settlement and mining ventures would be impossi- 

 ble. No wonder Newfoundlanders rose in wrath against such 

 a sacrifice."' 



THE END OF THE MATTER. 



"Newfoundlanders must be absolutely masters in their own 

 land, and for this hajtpy release they will doul)tless be both 

 willing and able to pay a sufficient price. Way back to Edward 

 VI., an Act of Parliament declared the Newfoundland fisheries 

 an unlicensed i)rivilege of every Englishman. We practically 

 allow the said fisheries to l)e to-day the unlicensed privilege of 

 all mankind. But Newfoundland itself is our own, our eldest 

 born. AVe should deserve to be wiped away from the list of 

 honourable nations if we do not stand by the island in this hour 

 of her distress." 



TREATY OF UTRECHT. 



Thirteenth clause of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) jn-esents in 

 clear and brief terms the whole matters in dispute, and those 

 who wish to understand the French Shore fpiestion should never 

 lose sight of it. This treaty was drawn up in English am.1 

 French and then translated into Latin, in which language it was 

 signed, so that this version is official and authoritati\-e. Here is 

 a correct translation of the 13th clause from the Latin text : — 



" The Island called Newfoundland, with the adjacent islands, 

 shall from this time forward Ijelong wholly to Great Britain ; 



