Treaty Timeline
November 10, 1919
Draft of treaty with Canada forwarded to U.S. State Department concerning port privileges of fishing vessels, protection of the halibut fishery, lobster fishing, and tariff on fresh fish
March 14, 1922
Letter of Charles Evan Hughes, Secretary of State, U.S., to Sir Auckland Geddes, Ambassador of Great Britain at Washington, transmitting draft of convention between U.S. and Great Britain which had been prepared for the protection of Pacific halibut fishery in a manner contemplated by Article VII of above treaty.
March 2, 1923
Treaty transmitted by Secretary of State to President with view to its transmission to Senate, etc.
Treaty transmitted by President to Senate with view to receiving its advice and consent to its ratification.
Signing of treaty by Mr. Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Marine and Fisheries, as plenipotentiary for His Majesty the King, and Mr. Charles Evan Hughes as plenipotentiary for the President of the United States.
March 4, 1923
Injunction of secrecy removed; resolution of ratification by Senate added to treaty.
In the executive session this day the following convention between the United States and Great Britain, signed March 2, 1923, for the preservation of the halibut fishery of the northern Pacific Ocean, including Behring Sea [sic], was adopted; and on the motion of M. Lodge, the injunction of secrecy was removed therefrom and from the papers accompanying the same:
In the Executive Session, Senate of the United States
Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present concurring therein) that the Senate advise and consent to the ratification of Executive D, 67th Congress, 4th session, a convention between the United States and Great Britain, signed at Washington March 2, 1923, for the preservation of the halibut fishery of the northern Pacific Ocean, including Behring Sea, subject to the understanding, which is hereby made a part of this resolution of ratification, that none of the nationals and inhabitants and vessels and boats of any other part of Great Britain shall engage in halibut fishing contrary to any of the provisions of this treaty.
(Text of treaty included with Resolution)
March 5, 1923
Letter of Charles E. Hughes, Secretary of State, to Sir Auckland Geddes, British Ambassador, transmitting Resolution of Ratification by Senate and asking him to bring the action of the Senate to the attention of His Majesty's Government and express this Government's hope that His Majesty's Government will accept the understanding which the Senate makes a part of its resolution of ratification.
March 6, 1923
Canadian House of Commons
Report on treaty by Mr. Lapointe, Minister of Marine and Fisheries, in response to question signing of treaty. Some discussion on resolution of ratification.
March 12, 1923
Mr. Meighen requests copy of correspondence, papers, etc. respecting halibut fishery treaty.
March 16, 1923
Mr. Meighen again asks for correspondence. Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King states that delay has been caused on account of cable having been sent to British Government with respect to some papers and reply has not been received. Will probably be given to Mr. Meighen today.
March 19, 1923
Correspondence tabled.
March 20, 1923
Discussion of treaty similar to that of March 6. Right of Canada to sign, will the treaty be enacted by ratification of House of Commons and what is intention of government as respects U.S. proviso. Mr. King states that since full powers have been given to Canadian minister, the British Government will undoubtedly carry out the treaty.
June 27, 1923
Debates in Canadian House of Commons re treaty with U.S.: Canada's signature; treaty-making powers; Imperial partnership; representation at Washington; Canadian status; Constitutional aspect, etc. Prime Minister moved that Parliament approve treaty. Motion agreed to. Treaty and U.S. Senate's resolution of ratification debated at length. Enabling Act "The Northern Pacific Halibut Fishery Protection Act" also introduced and debated, then presented as Bill 247, considered by Committee of the Whole, and passed.
June 29, 1923
Treaty approved by Senate and House of Commons (Canada).
Bill 247 passed by Senate (Canada).
June 30, 1923
Royal Assent given to Bill 247 (Enabling Act)
December 11, 1923
Preservation of halibut fishery of northern Pacific Ocean Report from the Secretary of State and a copy of note, dated September 6, 1923, from British Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, relating to the convention signed Washington, March 2, 1923, between the United States and Great Britain for the preservation of halibut fishery of northern Pacific Ocean, including Behring Sea.
March 14, 1924
Lapointe (Canada) states in an address in reply to the Governor General's speech that he has the strongest assurances on the strongest authority that the Senate of the U.S. will not insist on that rider (Resolution of ratification) and that the treaty will be ratified in the present session of Congress.
In Executive session (Executive E) of 68th Congress, 1st session, the following convention was ratified and on the motion of Mr. Lodge the injunction of secrecy was removed therefrom. (Text of treaty given as it was finally proclaimed--no mention of Senate resolution of ratification as introduced on March 4, 1923)
June 4, 1924
Ratified by the President
July 21, 1924
Ratified by Great Britain
October 21, 1924
Ratifications exchanged at Washington
October 22, 1924
Proclaimed
