46 TREATY PROVISIONS RELATING TO FISHERIES 



be considered as sufficient ratification of the modus vivendi, on the 

 part of my Government. 

 I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Sir, 



Your most obedient, humble Servant, Wiiitelaw Reid 

 The Right Honble. Sir Edward Grey, Bt., 



Etc. Etc. Etc. 



The British Foreign Office to the American Ambassador. 

 No. 34002.] Foreign Office, October 8th, 1906. 



Your Excellency, T have received with satisfaction the note of 

 the 6th instant in which Your Excellency states that you have been 

 authorized by your Government to ratify a modus vivendi in regard to 

 the Newfoundland Fishery Question on the basis of the Memorandum 

 which I had the honour to communicate to you on the 25th ultimo, 

 and I am glad to assure Your Excellency that the note in question will 

 be considered by His Majesty's Government as a sufficient ratification 

 of that arrangement on the part of the United States Government. 



His Majesty's Government fully share the desire of your Govern- 

 ment that the provisions of the modus vivendi should be made effect- 

 ive at the earliest moment possible and the necessary instructions for 

 its observance were accordingly sent to the Government of New- 

 foundland immediately on receipt of Your Excellency's communica- 

 tion. 



I have the honour to be, with the highest Consideration, 

 Your Excellency's most obedient, humble Servant, 



(In the absence of the Secretary of State) 



His Excellency the Honourable Whitelaw Reid, • <jORST> 



,_ Etc. Etc. Etc. 



MEMORANDUM. 



My Government hears with the greatest concern and regret that in 

 the opinion of His Majesty's Government there is so wide a divergence 

 of views with regard to the Newfoundland Fisheries that an immedi- 

 ate settlement is hopeless. 



But it is much gratified with His Majesty's Government's desire to 

 reach a modus vivendi for this season, and appreciates the readiness to 

 waive the Foreign Fishing Vessels Act of 1906. This and other re- 

 strictive legislation had compelled our fishermen to use purse seines 

 or abandon their treaty rights. 



My Government sees in the offer not to apply Section 3, Act of 1905 

 and that part of Section 1 relating to boarding fishing vessels and 

 bringing them into port fresh proof of a cordial disposition not to 

 press unduly this kind of regulation. 



Our fishermen will also gladly pay light dues, if not hindered in 

 their right to fish. The}' are not unwilling either, to comply with the 

 regulation to report at Custom Houses, when possible. It is some- 

 times physically impossible, however, to break through the ice for 

 that purpose. 



Most unfortunately the remaining proposals, those as to purse- 

 seining and Sunday fishing, present very grave difficulties. 



We appreciate perfectly the desire of His Majesty's Government to 

 prevent Sunday fishing. But if both this and purse-seine fishing are 

 taken away, as things stand there might be no opportunity for profita- 



