PERIOD PROM 1905 TO 1909. 1015 



land fishermen on terms mutually arranged, or merely to allow 

 Newfoundland fishermen to sell fish to Americans. 



There is no chance of American Government accepting any arrange- 

 ment under which American vessels not allowed to employ New- 

 foundland fishermen. 



Please reply immediately as American vessels have already sailed, 

 and the arrangements must be concluded at once. ELGIN. 



Lord Elgin to Governor MacGregor. 



[Telegram.] . 



(Sent 5.45 p. m., September 2, 1907.) 



My telegram of to-day. If modus vivendi accepted United States 

 Ambassador says he will add to his Note that his Government would 

 be quite willing to give the most favourable consideration to any 

 arrangement which your Ministers might make with American fisher- 

 men on arrival in modification or supersession of modus vivendi. 

 Trust this proves satisfactory to your Ministers in view of last para- 

 graph of your telegram 20th August. ELGIN. 



Lord Elgin to Governor MacGregor. 



[Telegram.] 



(Sent 2.48 p. m., September 3, 1907.) 



Your telegram, 30th August. You will have learned from my 

 telegram, 30th August, that United States Government have re- 

 fused your Ministers' proposal on ground that vessels have already 

 started for fishery, and that His Majesty's Government have con- 

 sented to adhere to arrangement in force in 1906 subject to omission of 

 right to use purse seines. We cannot prevent despatch of " Gresham" 

 to Newfoundland waters; the only question, therefore, which arises is 

 the treatment to be accorded to it. To refuse ordinary courtesies 

 would cause bad feeling which it is especially desirable to avoid dur- 

 ing negotiation of Arbitration Treaty, and might further involve with- 

 drawal of courtesies accorded to British naval vessels in United States 

 waters. In any case it is not desirable that an opportunity should 

 be given to United States Government to represent to an arbitral tri- 

 bunal that Newfoundland in any respect refuses to act in accordance 

 with the comity of nations. I earnestly hope, therefore, that Minis- 

 ters will reconsider their attitude. 



With all deference to your Ministers we cannot see why they 

 should so strongly object to presence of responsible American official 

 during fishery; he will be useful in preventing improper action by 

 American fishermen, and he will be able to sift any alleged grievance 

 of American fishermen before it is brought to notice of United States 

 Government. ELGIN. 



