8o The Fishery Qicestion, 



favored nation " clause ? Are not the procla- 

 mations cited'^3 in the nature of mutual con- 

 cessions on both sides, and liable to be revoked 

 whenever either party sees fit to adopt so 

 mistaken a policy? If, as the Senate report 

 says, the exclusion of Canadian vessels from 

 the ports of the United States is not deroga- 

 tory to treaty obligations, is a strict enforce- 

 ment of the Convention of 1818 absolutely 

 unjustifiable? Have we not refused to pay 

 for some of these concessions on the ground 

 of their uncertainty ? Is the distinction 

 drawn by Canada insupportable when our 

 own law, placing Canadian fishermen and 

 traders on the same footing, dates from June 

 last?'^^ What authority that both parties 

 are bound to respect, has decided that Cana- 

 dian port privileges are accessory to deep-sea 

 fishing rights? The Dominion is not tracta- 

 ble, as the Imperial Government knows — very 

 likely to its sorrow. In the midst of this 

 trouble, Canada has undergone a general elec- 

 tion, and the methods of its government for 

 the protection of the fisheries have been sus- 

 tained. The Provinces are playing a danger- 

 ous game. Should retaliation take its course 



