MISCELLANEOUS. 1113 



A participation by fishermen of the United States in the freedom 

 of these waters must, notwithstanding their wonderfully reproduc- 

 tive capacity, tell materially on the local catch, and, while, affording 

 to the United States fishermen a profitable employment, must se- 

 riously interfere with local success. The extra amount of bait also 

 which is required for the supply of the United States demand for 

 the bank fishery must have the effect of diminishing the supply of 

 cod for the inshores, as it is well known that the presence or that 

 fish is caused by the attraction offered by a large quantity of bait 

 fishes, and as this quantity diminishes, the cod will resort in fewer 

 number to the coast. The effect of this diminution may not in all 

 probability be apparent for some years to come, and whilst United 

 States fishermen will have the liberty of enjoying the fisheries for 

 several years in their present teeming and remunerative state, the 

 effects of overfishing may, after their right to participate in them 

 has lapsed, become seriously prejudical to the interests of the local 

 fishermen. 



II. The privilege of procuring bait and supplies, refitting, drying, 



transshipping, cfcc. 



Apart from the immense value to United States fishermen of par- 

 ticipation in the Newfoundland inshore fisheries, must be estimated 

 the important privilege of procuring bait for the prosecution of the 

 bank and deep-sea fisheries, which are capable of unlimited expan- 

 sion. With Newfoundland as a basis or operations, the right of 

 procuring bait, refitting their vessels, drying and curing fish, pro- 

 curing ice in abundance for the preservation of bait, liberty of trans- 

 shipping their cargoes <fcc., an almost continuous prosecution of the 

 bank fishery is secured to them. By means of these advantages, 

 United States fishermen have acquired, by the Treaty of Wash- 

 ington, all the requisite facilities for increasing their fishing opera- 

 tions to such an extent as to enable them to supply the demand 

 for fish food in the United States markets, and largely to furnish 

 the other fish markets of the world, and thereby exercise a com- 

 petition, which must inevitably prejudice Newfoundland exporters. 

 It must be remembered in contrast with the foregoing, that United 

 States fishing craft before the conclusion of the treaty of Washing- 

 ton, could only avail themselves of the coast of Newfoundland for 

 obtaining a supply of wood and water for shelter and for necessary 

 repairs in case of accident, and for no other purpose whatever; they 

 therefore prosecuted the bank fishery under great disadvantages not- 

 withstanding which, owing to the failure of the U. S. local fisheries, 

 and the consequent necessity of providing a new fishing grounds, the 

 bank fisheries nave developed into a lucrative source or employment 

 to the fishermen of the U. S. That this position is appreciated by 

 those actively engaged in the bank fisheries is attested bv the state- 

 ments of competent witnesses, whose evidence will be laid before the 

 Commission. 



It is impossible to offer more convincing testimony as to the value 

 to United States fishermen of securing the right to use the coast of 

 Newfoundland as a basis of operations for the bank fisheries than is 

 contained in the declaration of one who has been for six years so 

 occupied, sailing from the ports of Salem and Gloucester, in Massa- 

 chusetts, and who declares that it is of the greatest importance to 



