The States of New England appear to be dissatisfied with
the award of the Fishery Commissioners, giving England a lump sum for the surrender of her exclusive claims to fishing on the Canadian codfish banks. They say their fishermen obtain "no advantage" from the award, and think that a ground for de- nouncing it—a curious reason, which, if accepted, would be fatal to every arbitration. Their spokesman, Mr. Blaine, even threatened that the award should prevent any renewal of the Reciprocity Treaty. It is, however, it is stated, felt throughout the Union that the Government is bound to abide by its own arrangement, and a Message recommending payment of the money will shortly be sent down to Congress. After the example of the 'Alabama' Arbitration, a refusal to abide by the award would have excited bitter disgust in this country, but we do not believe there ever was a chance of it. Discontents which in England are suppressed by a sort of prescriptive etiquette are in the Union uttered aloud, but the Government none the less guides the foreign policy of the country.
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