47 
“ot questions that have arisen with regard to the right of the 
“subjects of the two nations respectively to catch and preserve 
“lobsters on that part of our coast where the French have a 
“concurrent right of fishery, and it is hoped that a provisional 
“ arrangement for the present season may be arrived at, which I 
“trust may pave the way to a satisfactory settlement of this 
* difficulty.” 
Judge, then, of the surprise and indignation felt and ex- 
pressed when, upon the 14th day of March, one week after its 
opening, the Legislature received the following message from 
the Governor :— 
“The Governor herewith sends a telegram received from the 
*‘ Right Honourable Secretary of State for the Colonies, received 
“on the 12th day of March present, relative to the modus 
“vivendi entered into between the British and French Govern- 
“ments, relative to the establishment of lobster factories on 
“the coast of Newfoundland, where the French enjoy rights of 
“ fishing conferred by treaties. 
* Following is text of modus vivendi as agreed to :— 
“The question of principle and of respective rights being 
* entirely reserved on both sides, the British and French Govern- 
“ments agree that the status quo ante shall be maintained 
“ during the ensuing season, on the following basis :-— 
“ Without France or Great Britain demanding at once a new 
“examination of the legality of the installation of British or 
“French lobster factories on the coast of Newfoundland where 
“the French enjoy rights of fishing conferred by the treaties, it 
“is understood that there shall be no modifications in the 
“position occupied by the establishments of either country on 
“the Ist July, 1889; except that a subject of either nation may 
“remove any such establishment to any spot on which the 
“commanders of the two naval stations shall have previously 
“ agreed. 
“ No lobster fisheries which were not in operation on the Ist 
“ July, 1889, shall be permitted, unless by joint consent of the 
* commanders of British and French naval stations. 
“In consideration of each new lobster fishery so permitted, 
. it shall be open to the fishermen of the other country to 
_ “establish a new lobster fishery on some spot to be similarly 
_ settled by joint agreement between the naval commanders. 
