THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY QUESTION. 227 



Jurisconsults, such as Frederick da Martens, of St. Petersburg, 

 M. Rivier, of Switzerland, and M. Gram, of Holland, so eminently 

 impartial and judicial in their character, should be looked upon and 

 accepted by the Government of Newfoundland, as a great concession 

 from France, considering the resolute position which she has taken up 

 and maintained, for a periofi of at least two centuries ; and further as a 

 great moral victory achieved by H.M. Government on behalf of the 

 Colony. 



Moreover, it could hardly be expected that the Statesmen and Par- 

 liament of the Republic of France could give their consent, without 

 grave consideration, and hesitation, to the sweeping proposals 

 of the Government of Newfoundland for a reference, en bloc, 

 of the numerous and perplexing questions that have for so 

 lengthened a period agitated, may we not say convulsed to its 

 very centre, the Colony ; for these questions in dispute affect 

 keenly the ancient traditions of France, reaching as far back as 

 the isth and 1 6th centuries, and especially the honourable fulfilment 

 of the celebrated Treaties, negotiated after great and sanguinary 

 wars between Great Britain and France, that resulted in tremendous 

 territorial sacrifices by France on the North American Continent, of 

 which Newfoundland was not the least important. 



It must also be borne in mind, that the principle and practice of 

 Arbitration, for the pacific settlement of international disputes, is a pro- 

 cedure of modern origin, and is looked upon as of a novel and 

 innovating character by a Nation such as France, whose career and 

 history for many centuries, has been bound up, and associated with a 

 policy oi force majeure for the arbitrament of her national differences, 

 and for the enforcement of her international rights ; and therefore, 

 the Statesmen of France of to-day, consider that they are entering 

 on newly-trodden ground, that they are accepting a policy that 

 hitherto has not found its way into the conscience and mind of the 

 French people, neither received a willing ear in the Courts and 

 Councils of the Republic. 



Under these circumstances, and on these grounds, it seems reason- 

 able, nay imperative, that H.M. Government should appreciate the 

 advances made by France towards a pacific settlement, and that they 

 have been willing to accept in good faith this proposal, as one of a 

 tentative character, as a move in the right direction, in the belief and 

 hope that it may prove a stepping-stone for the ultimate adjudication 

 of all the other conflicting subjects, that have so long barred the road 

 to the peace, progress, and prosperity of Newfoundland. 



