These latter were undertaken by the commissions which met in 1859, 

 1866, 1867 and 1880; but the French government being able to accept only 

 the prerogatives included in the treaties to the benefit of its nationals, these 

 conferences could only end with an affirmation to maintain the rights of the 

 French fishery; a conclusion that the government at St. John's received each 

 time with anti-French demonstrations and even anti-British. 



An official place having been made for Newfoundland delegates among the 

 negotiators, they succeeded finally in agreeing on a precise text. It noted 

 the agreement of April 14, 1884, which was modified, November 14, 1885, in 

 a manner favoring the grievances of the islanders. It carried the following 

 stipulation: 



"The British government agrees to conform to the following terms to 

 assure the French fishermen, in execution of the treaties in force and par- 

 ticularly the declaration of 1783, the freedom to exercise their industry on 

 the coasts of Newfoundland without hinderance or obstacles of any kind on the 

 part of the British subjects. 



"The French government agrees not to raise any protest against building 

 by the British of establishments on land under their jurisdiction necessary to 

 the development of all industry other than the fishery on the parts of the coast 

 of Newfoundland between Cape Saint- Jean and Cape Raye.' 



"The French will maintain their full right to fish, dry and prepare fish 

 on all parts of the coast between Cape Saint- Jean and Cape Rouge, as is de- 

 fined by the treaties. " 



The arrangement thus brought about could be considered as giving satis- 

 faction to both parties, since, confirming the priority of the rights of the 

 French fishermen to exercise their profession, it took cognizance of the ne- 

 cessity of industrial development of the island in facilitating, in particular, 

 access to the sea for exportation of its mineral and forest resources. 



Once again the intransigence of the islanders overruled the efforts of the 

 diplomats. 



In order to go into effect, the convention had to be approved by the New- 

 foundland Parliament. The government of St. John's whose delegates had par- 

 ticipated in the negotiations was determined to obtain ratification. It failed 

 to receive a vote of confidence and was put out of office. The conservative 



63 



