The Treaty designed to protect the halibut fishery of the
North Pacific Ocean, which was signed by Canada and the United States on Friday, March 2nd, is of great historical interest, though not of supreme importance in itself. It is the first Treaty between the United States and the British Empire which does not bear the signature of the British Ambassador or any other representative of the Home Government. The Treaty was signed by the Secretary of State and the Canadian Minister of Marine and Fisheries. The Canadian Govern- ment carried on the negotiations and insisted that since the subject was of Canadian as distinct from British interest, the Treaty should be signed by its own pleni- potentiary. Some observers see in this action further desire on the part of Canada to be represented by her own Minister in Washington. Others, however, see no indication that Canada need maintain a diplomatic establishment in Washington, as, whenever matters of purely Canadian interest require to be discussed with the United States, a special plenipotentiary can be appointed, as was done in this case.
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