Great Britain assented to this, and the treaty of Washington proposed
a settlement of both classes of questions.
Those relating to the Alabama claims and to the northwestern water
boundary, commonly known as the San Juan question, have been disposed
of in pursuance of the terms of the treaty.
Those relating to the fisheries were made by the terms of the treaty to
depend upon the legislation which the constitutions of the respective
Governments made necessary to carry those provisions into effect.
Great Britain and her possessions have on their part enacted the
necessary legislation.
This Government is now enjoying the advantages of those provisions of
the treaty which were the result of the condition of its assent to treat
upon the questions which Great Britain had submitted.
The tribunal at Geneva has made an award in favor of the United States
on the Alabama claims, and His Majesty the Emperor of Germany has
decided in favor of the contention of the United States on the
northwestern boundary line.
I can not urge too strongly the importance of your early consideration
of the legislation that may be necessary on the part of this Government.
In addition to the claim that Great Britain may have upon the good faith
of this Government to consider the legislation necessary in connection
with the questions which that Government presented as the subject of a
negotiation which has resulted so favorably to this Government upon the
other questions in which the United States felt so much interest, it is
of importance that the rights of the American fishermen, as provided
for under the treaty, should be determined before the now approaching
fishing season opens, and that the serious difficulties to the fishing
interests and the grave questions between the two Governments that may
arise therefrom be averted.
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