ARGUMENT OF MR. ROOT 259 



I want to impress upon your minds what Governor MacGregor 

 said about the way in which they got along under those moduses. 

 The Governor made a report to Lord Elgin, to be found on 

 pp. 360 and 361 of the American Counter-Case Appendix. He 



says: 



"I have had personal interview with Inspector O'Reilly who has arrived 

 from Bay of Islands at St. John's, Newfoundland." 



This is a report on the working of the modus of 1906, and is 

 dated the 22nd November, 1906. 



"No. ill-feeling towards American sjiips on the part of Newfoundland 

 fishermen, and no interference with American ships. 



"About forty American ships, about twenty Canadian ships, about four- 

 teen Newfoundland vessels. Bay of Islands; three vessels loaded, sailed for 

 Gloucester " 



and so on. 



"Alexander has been on friendly terms with Newfoundland officers; 

 American ships consult with Alexander on aU points raised, and are guided 

 by his careful advice; Alexander understands position, and endeavors to pre- 

 vent trouble. 



"Neither master nor owner American ships offered any opposition to 

 legal proceedings against Dubois and Crane, but rather facilitated matters 

 advised by Alexander. 



"Legal proceedings produced no result. There is no excitement; fisher- 

 men are at work as if nothing had happened. 



"All American ships have entered Customs House and Light Dues have 

 been paid without any trouble. 



"American ships have observed in good faith the conditions laid down 

 in modus vivendi. 



"No trouble expected if matters remain the same as at the present time, 

 but enforcement of Bait Act in general might produce disturbance." 



You can get on all right under an arrangement with Great 

 Britain and the fishermen can get on all right together, but for this 

 disturbing influence for which I cannot blame Newfoundland, 

 because it is quite inevitable. At p. 366 he makes another report, 

 dated the 29th December, 1906. He says: 



"Relations of fishermen on friendly terms. 



"There was considerable cutting of fishing nets and gear, principally 



