1458 NORTH ATLANTIC COAST FISHERIES ARBITRATION. 



for three years. He announces his intention of excluding Americans, 

 as far as possible, from the exercise of the right of fishing. I 

 read from p. 424 of the Appendix to the United States Counter- 

 Case : 



" In conclusion I desire to make clear to this House, and to all those 

 outside of the House who are interested in the question under con- 

 sideration, what is the attitude of the government. 



" This must not be regarded in the nature of a threat, as ' a declara- 

 tion of war,' as the leader of the opposition has asserted, or as an 

 attempt to strike a blow at the fishery interests of the New England 

 States ; but it is, I submit, a wise measure, conceived in the interests 

 of the people of this colony, and calculated only to command the 

 respect of our friends in the great American Republic." 



It is not at that place that he speaks though he does in another 

 of proving to the United States that Newfoundland is the mistress 

 of the northern seas, and that the hand that held out privileges can 

 withhold them; and that Newfoundland held the key of the posi- 

 tion. It is to be remembered that all these utterances were at the 

 moment that the United States Senate had in consideration the treaty 

 the non-ratification of which he complained. On the same day Mr. 

 Morine, the leader of the opposition, made his reply, and pointed 

 out all the dangers to their own interests which would come from this 

 attempted policy on Sir Robert's part. He points out, at p. 436 of 

 the United States Counter-Case Appendix, the ambiguity, the lack 

 of clearness of meaning of the clause with regard to countries in 

 amity with Great Britain, to which I call attention. He is speaking 

 of section 7 : 



" ' Nothing in this Act shall affect the rights and privileges granted 

 by treaty to the subjects of any state in amity with His Majesty.' 



"What did that section mean? Does it mean that you cannot go 

 on board the American vessel, in Bay of Islands or St. George's Bay ? 

 Who, in this country, is competent to decide that question? Is the 

 captain to be first arrested and then the question decided? That is 

 what must be done. The act must affect treaty rights and privileges 

 if any attempt whatever is made to carry it out. That section must 

 mean that the act shall have no effect on the American vessels 

 between Ramea and Quirpon. It would have the effect of driving 

 all the American vessels within that treaty area to obtain from the 

 shore what the French had partially failed to procure. And the 

 American people would be successful, because of their greater enter- 

 prise, skill and funds. All the reasons which had been so ably and 

 eloquently argued by the Premier against the bait act applied with 

 ten times greater force in dealing with the Americans. The 

 881 house well knew how the Rt. Hon. Premier thundered on that 

 question, and how he convinced the people of this colony 

 against the bait act." 



One of the questions which this Tribunal will have to consider, and 

 undoubtedly is considering, is what effect has this saving clause upon 



