The modus vivendi arranged between the Foreign Office and the
American Government in regard to the outstanding disputes over the terms of the Convention of 1818, which secures certain American fishery rights on the coast of New- foundland, is being violently attacked in the Colony. We, on our part, agree that for the present season we will not put into force the Newfoundland Foreign Fishing Vessels Act, 1906, and also the provisions of the first and third sections of the Act of 1905 as to boarding and bringing into port,. We also agree to the use of purse seines by the American fishermen. In return the United States Government will direct the masters of American fishing-vessels to conform, when physically possible, with the Colonial Customs Law as to reporting at a Custom-house on arrival and departure from Colonial waters, to pay light dues, and to abstain from Sunday fishing. The United States Government further, while retaining their right to recruit Newfoundlanders for the fishery outside territorial waters, assure his Majesty's Government that such shipments, if found necessary, will be at a sufficient distance to meet the three-mile-limit rule.
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