ATLANTIC FISHERIES

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 860, 5 July 1910, Page 5

ATLANTIC FISHERIES

BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY DISREGARDED, UNITED STATES ACTION. By Telegraph—Pross Association—Copyright. London, July 3. "Tho Times" Toronto correspondent states that tho United States has authorised Americans whaling in northern waters to disregard Canada's claims of sovereignty in thoso waters, and offers protection to United States fishermen refusing to pay a license fee to Canada or to rccoguiso Great Britain's sovereignty, THE ARBITRATION CASE. ARGUMENT' PROCEEDING. The Hague, July :!. Arguments in the Newfoundland Fisheries Disputo aro proceeding before tho Arbitration Tribunal. THE RIVAL CLAIMS. The differences between Great Britain aniP-the United States arise out of the intcrjiretntion of the Convention of Uhent of isisi under which subjects of the United Stales were given the right to fish along parte of the coast of Newloundland and Labrador, their territorial rights, however, being restricted to the right to purchase wood for fuel, to proeuro water, and to shelter from storms and for repairs. There aro five points in dispute:—(l) The United States claims it can send crews of Scandinavians, Poles, or Spaniards to take the fish for them. Great Britain says no. (2) Tho United States refuses to pay light dues for the maintenance of lighthouses and fog-horn stations, on tho ground that such did not exist in 1818. Great Britain demands that American ships shall' pay as do those of every other nation. (3; Great Britain claims sole power to make fisheries laws and regulations in Canadian and Newfoundland waters. The United States claims that in the treaty waters the regulations must be made jointly with her. (■t) Cireat Britain holds that United States vessels touching at Newfoundland under the treaty provisions must enter and clear at the Customs in the ordinary way. This the American Government refuses to admit. (5) The treaty words give the Americans tho right to tisli "on the coast" in Ncwloundhind? and "on the coasts, bays, harbourp. and creeks" of Labrador. The British under this claim that the American lishermen must not enter into the "bays, harbours, and creeks" of Newfoundland in their fishing operations, and they refuse to abide by this. The chief market for the fish caught in Newfoundland is the United States, and- tho British fishermen aro barred from this by the tariff, while the Americans get their catches in duty free. Tlub has been the main cause ot' tho friction.