INTRODUCTION xlvii 



does not seem to be any immediate prospect of agreement with the United States 

 views, and it would, therefore, seem better to endeavour to find some temporary solu- 

 tion of the difficulty as to the regulations under which the Americans are to fish." ' 



The American contentions were unacceptable to Great Britain and 

 the American Government felt itself unable to modify its position with- 

 out sacrificing the fishery. Compromise was therefore impossible, and 

 the decision of the question was, upon the suggestion of the United 

 States, appropriately referred to arbitration. After consultation with 

 its colonies Great Britain accepted the proposal and the two govern- 

 ments framed the questions to be submitted to the determination of 

 the arbitrators. In the meantime, however, a modus vivendi was arranged 

 between the two governments, so that fishermen of both countries should 

 not suffer by an attempt to enforce the extreme and irreconcilable views 

 of the parties in controversy. 



The Special Agreement of January 27, 1909 



It has been stated that Mr. Root's appointment as Secretary of State 

 was exceedingly happy in view of the controversies which were so soon 

 to arise between Great Britain and the United States, and it is likewise 

 a pleasure to record that the appointment of Mr. James Bryce as British 

 Ambassador to the United States was equally fortimate; for both were 

 sincerely interested in maintaining the friendly relations of their govern- 

 ments and in settling by arbitration any controversies that threatened 

 good understanding between them. The fair-mindedness of each and 

 their sincere desire to settle a controversy which had, unfortunately, 

 exercised the patience and forbearance of statesmen of both countries 

 since the independence of the United States, and indeed before its recog- 

 nition, cannot be too highly commended, and their negotiations show 

 how easy it is for nations to settle controversies peaceably if they really 

 desire peace. The first step was taken by the proposal to arbitrate, the 

 suggestion emanating, as has been said, from the United States, but Mr. 

 Bryce was equally desirous of arbitration and he had so stated in an 

 interview with Mr. Root.^ 



Mr. Root and Mr. Bryce were anxious to negotiate a general treaty 



'Appendix, pp. 4sg, 461; Appendix, British Case, p. 507; Appendix U. S. Case, p. 1003. 



^In his note dated July 12, igoy, to Sir Edward Grey proposing arbitration, Mr. Reid, 

 the American Ambassador to Great Britain stated: "We have the greater reason to hope that 

 this solution may be acceptable to you since your Ambassador to the United States recently 

 suggested some form of arbitration, with a temporary modus vivendi pending the decision, as 

 the best way of reaching a settlement. We hope also that the reference of such a long-standing 

 question between two such nations at such a time to The Hague Tribunal might prove an impor- 

 tant step in promoting the spread of this peaceful and friendly method of adjusting differences 

 among all civilised countries of the world." Appendix, pp. 462, 463; Appendix, U. S. Case, 

 p. 1007; Appendix, British Case, p. 509. 



