A LAND OF WATERWAYS 5 



before the Dominion was ever thought of. 

 Discovery, exploration, pioneering, trade, and 

 fisheries, all originated questions which, in- 

 volving mercantile sea-power, ultimately turned 

 on naval sea-power and were settled by the 

 sword. Each rival was forced to hold his 

 own at sea or give up the contest. Even in 

 time of peace there was incessant friction along 

 the many troublous frontiers of the sea. From 

 the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 down to the final 

 award at The Hague, nearly two centuries 

 later, the diplomatic war went steadily on. 

 It is true that the fishing grounds of New- 

 foundland were the chief object of conten- 

 tion. But Canada and Newfoundland are so 

 closely connected by geographical, imperial, 

 and maritime bonds that no just account of 

 craft and waterways can be given if any 

 attempt is made to separate such comple- 

 mentary parts of British North America. 

 They will therefore be treated as one through- 

 out the present book. 



But, even apart from Newfoundland, the 

 Canadian interests concerned rather with the 

 water than the land make a most remark- 

 able total. They include questions of inter- 

 national waterways and water-power, salt and 

 fresh water fishing, sealing, whaling, inland 



