711.428/1054
The British Ambassador ( Howard ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 20.]
Sir: I have the honour to refer to Sir Auckland Geddes’ note No. 337 of May 18th [19th], 1922,10 and to subsequent correspondence regarding [Page 31] the desirability of ensuring proper protection to the Fraser River sockeye salmon fisheries and to inform you of the receipt of a communication from the Governor-General of Canada drawing attention to the fact that although a treaty for the protection and rehabilitation of the Pacific halibut fishery has been concluded, the Fraser River situation, which offers much greater possibilities for the achievement of the end in view by international co-operation, remains unchanged.
I understand that as the result of the fish culture operations carried on by the Dominion Government in a somewhat small way for some years past in the Stuart Lake region, last year, for the first time since the slide into the River at Hell’s Gate in 1913, an important number of sockeye salmon returned to the upper waters of the Fraser, thus indicating that by adequate international co-operation the River can be brought back to a maximum of productivity.
It is estimated that at present prices this would involve a production of sockeye salmon alone worth more than thirty-five million dollars annually, instead of one worth about two and a half million dollars, to both countries interested in the question.
In these circumstances, I should be glad to learn at your convenience whether the United States Government are disposed to take under early consideration the possibility of cooperating with the Dominion Government in the manner desired.
I have [etc.]