File No. 573/146.

The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State .

No. 180.]

Sir: In a note No. 152, of the 3d instant, I had the honor to inform the United States Government of the result of the inquiries by the Dominion government into the case of the American schooner Alert. In that note the circumstances of the case and the conditions governing trap-net fishing in the waters in question were fully explained and it was shown that the action of the Canadian officers was based on principles long ago adopted in the interests of the preservation of the fisheries.

I am, further, now instructed to inform the United States Government that, as an evidence of the spirit in which the Dominion government regards these questions and have approached this case, and in order to prevent the possibility of friction in further cases of a similar character, the Canadian government have instructed their officers not to interfere with any trap set by an American fisherman in waters where a license for such a trap would not be refused to a British subject, even though no special license, as required by Canadian law, has been taken out; but only to report such cases for the consideration of the department of fisheries.

I am, however, to express the hope of the Dominion government that the United States Government will direct their fishermen to apply for licenses for trap nets, informing them that these will be issued by the Dominion government under the same conditions as to British fishermen. The advantages accruing to all interested in the fisheries from such a regulation of title to and use of trap nets will, I trust, recommend this proposal to the acceptance of the United States Government.

I have, etc.,

James Bryce.