The Secretary of State to
Chargé Carter.
Department of State,
Washington, January 4,
1906.
No. 120.]
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your
No. 111 of the 20th ultimo, confirming your telegram of the same date,
which transmits information reported to Sir Edward Grey through the
inspector of customs, Mr. Joseph O’Reilly, of the enlistment of
Newfoundland fishermen by American vessels on the advice of Mr.
Alexander, of the Grampus, and also inclosing a
copy of Mr. O’Reilly’s letter, upon which your telegram was based.
Your telegram was communicated in full to the Secretary of Commerce and
Labor, who, in reply, stated that Mr. Alexander would be called upon for
a statement in regard to the matter upon his return to Washington, where
he is expected to arrive during the present week.
Meanwhile, under date of the 29th ultimo, Secretary Metcalf has
transmitted to me a letter dated December 21, 1905, from Mr. Alexander,
which, while not in direct reply to the allegations contained in your
telegram of December 20, denies that at any time since this season’s
fishing began have Newfoundland fishermen been shipped by American
vessels in territorial waters, or that men have been in any way assisted
by American masters to cross the 3-mile limit for enlistment.
I inclose copy of this letter. Its contents may be made known to Sir
Edward Grey.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
The Secretary of Commerce and
Labor to the Secretary of
State.
Department of Commerce and Labor,
Office of the
Secretary,
Washington, December 29,
1905.
Sir: There is transmitted herewith copy of
a letter just received from fisheries agent A. B. Alexander, dated
Bay of Islands, Newfoundland, December 21, 1905.
[Subinclosure.]
Mr. Alexander
to the Commissioner of
Fisheries.
Bay
of Islands, Newfoundland,
December 21, 1905.
Sir: Your letter of the 8th instant with
inclosed copy of telegram from the American ambassador at London to
the Secretary of State transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce and
Labor, together with his reply addressed to the Secretary of State,
was only received yesterday, it having been sent by mistake to St.
Johns, causing a delay of several days.
In reply to the dispatch received by the Secretary of State I would
repeat what has been stated in my letter of November 20 to the
Secretary of Commerce and Labor that at no time since the herring
fishery began this season at Bay of Islands have the laws of
Newfoundland been evaded by shipping men on American vessels in the
manner to which special attention is called. The schooners Independence II and Oregon enlisted Newfoundland men in the same manner that
men were shipped on the schooners Gossip, Carrie
W. Babson, and other American vessels engaged in the
herring fishery this season.
[Page 665]
In the dispatch considerable stress is laid upon alleged facts
regarding taking men acress the 3-mile limit for enlistment and
bringing them back. In no instance has such a method been employed.
The men, each time, have rowed and sailed in their own boats outside
territorial waters, not going on board the vessel on which they were
shipped until they were beyond the 3-mile limit, and were previously
engaged by agents for owners and not by the masters of said vessels,
neither was assistance rendered to either vessel in the enlistment
of men other than being a witness that the transaction was legally
performed. Not until the receipt of your letter was I aware that any
question had been raised regarding the method of procedure. It will
be remembered that at the time men were shipped on the schooner Gossip a report reached St. Johns,
Newfoundland, and shortly after was sent to Washington and
Gloucester that unlawful methods had been employed in enlisting the
men. Whoever circulated the report had no grounds for making such
charge. It may be that the second report, which is equally false,
emanated from the same source.
A letter, dated December 16, from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor
with inclosed copy of letter from the Secretary of State addressed
to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor with reference to freezing
herring on shore, fishing with various kinds of apparatus, etc., was
received yesterday. The information bearing upon the points in
question has been imparted to masters and owners of vessels. The
American captains now fully understand the interpretation the
Government places upon the questions involved, both as regards to
curing on shore, methods of capture, etc., and conforming to days
and seasons.
The vessels are now fishing in Middle and Goose arms, where,
probably, they will remain until loaded. The captains will now have
little or no communication with Birchy Cove, and only a limited
amount of information concerning their movements and catches made
can be obtained.
The herring fishery will end in about three weeks. Should vessels
remain later, they are likely to be frozen in the arms. If a
suitable steam vessel were on the ground near the end of the fishing
season, she no doubt would be of considerable service. In past years
vessels have frequently remained on the ground a day or two longer
than they should in order to obtain full cargoes, and by so doing
were caught in the ice, where they had to remain until the following
spring. Had assistance been near, the cargoes would have been
saved.
Fifteen American vessels have sailed with full cargoes and a number
of others are nearly loaded. Ten American vessels this season have
shipped 136 men outside 3-mile limit.
Very respectfully,
