53 
y, but. desire to meet the etches of Her Majesty’s Govern- 
2 sas toa modus vivendi for this season only. They desire 
4 , the date may be extended to Ist January, otherwise great 
dship must ensue, as a large amount of money has been 
ted in erecting new factories.” 
the 20th of March the Under Secretary of State for 
eign Affairs, Sir James Fergusson, made the following state- 
* in the House of Commons :— 
“The Newfoundland Government was consulted as to the 
s of the modus vivendi, which was modified to some extent to 
B their views, but it was necessary to conclude it without 
erring it to them in its final shape.” 
On the 25th day of March the following despatch was sent :— 
Governor to Secretary of State. 
My Ministers request that incorrect statement made by 
der Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs be immediately 
adicted, as the terms of modus vivendi were not modified 
» accordance with their views. Ministers protested against 
r claims of French, and desired time to be changed to 
it January for reasons given; but that was ignored and 
nodus vivendi entered into without regard to their wishes. 
Ministers much embarrassed by incorrect statement made by 
Under Secretary of State.” 
_ ‘The reply, dated 28th March, was as follows :— 
Secretary of State to Governor. 
_ “Referring to your telegram of 25th March, answer of Under 
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was correct, AND CANNOT 
‘BE CONTRADICTED. See my telegram of 25th March. He did not 
Ss f: t e that modus vivendi was amended in accordance with your 
isters’ views, and showed distinctly that your Ministers were 
responsible for modus vivendi as settled. They can, of 
se, quote his real answer and state what they desired, and 
though their wishes were not ignored, it was impossible to 
yy give effect to them. Facts are as follows :—On receiving 
uest that date might be changed to Ist January, 1890, we 
mpted to arrange for this, but French Government refused. 
sr much discussion and with great difficulty, we carried 
