H The Fi.ilu'i >/ Qiit stion : 



fish on certain parts of Newfoundland and Labiador, and on 

 the coasts of the Magdalen Islands, under a few restrictions, on 

 which it is not necessary to dvvel), since no serious differences 

 have arisen on the subject. In the same article the United 

 States " renounce for ever any liberty heretofore enjoyed or 

 claimed by the inhabitants thereof to take, dry, or cure tish on 

 or vntkin three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, 

 or harbours " of the British dominions in America not included 

 within the limits just mentioned. At the same time American 

 fishermen were to be permitted " to enter sucli bays and harbours 

 for the purpose of shelter and of repairing damages therein, of 

 purchasing wood, of obtaining water, and for no other purpose 

 wlia^ever." 



Now, the whole controversy in past years between Great 

 Britain (representing the Dominion of Canada and Newfound- 

 land) and the United States has tvtrned upon the true effect of 

 the renunciation on the part of the latter "of any liberty here- 

 tofore enjoyed to take, dry, and cure fish on or within three 

 marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbours" of 

 British North America, In order to understand the importance 

 of this point — wliich is in effect the fishery question constantly 

 cropping up when all temporary arrangements like the Washing- 

 ton Treaty of 1^71 cease between Canada and her neighbours — 

 it is necessary to study the natural configuration of the eastern 

 or maritime provinces of British North America. Looking at 

 the map, we find first of all the large island of Newfoundland 

 standing like a sentinel at the approaches of the Gulf of St. 

 Lawrence. The French and Americans have free access, as a 

 matter of right, to the Grand and other banks, and certain 

 privileges of catching and curing fish on the coasts. American 

 fishermen frequent the Grand Banks and come at times into the 

 bays and harbours for repairs and bait; and the only important 

 question that has arisen with respect to Newfoundland is the 

 value of these privileges within her territorial limits. Leaving 

 Newfoundland, we come to the fishing-grounds much frequented 

 by the Americans for the mackerel, herring, and other fisheries. 

 We see the fine island of Cape Breton, separated from the main- 

 land of Nova Scotia by a narrow strait known as the Gut of 

 C'vnseau, and noted for its wild, picturesque beauty. This pas- 

 sage, whose average breadth does not exceed two and a half 

 miles, takes us into the Straits of Northumberland, which lie 

 between Nova Scotia and the fertile Prince Edward Island. We 

 are now in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which receives the waters of 

 the noble artery of the commerce of the provinces of Quebec 

 and Ontario, and of the rich country which is known as the 

 Great West. In the middle of this gulf arc the Magdalen 



