The sun., 1891-08-30
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY LINE
RESULTS OF THE RECENT SURVEY
ON THE YUKON RIVER.
The Consolation - Disnppointiur Because
II Connrms Okiivie's survey Giving the
Gold Dieaines TO the Canadlans.


II Connrms Okiivie's Survey Giving the
Gold Dieaines 10 the Cnnadians.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 27.-The news brought
back by tho Government Coast and Geojetic
Survey party which set ou' for Alaska two
years ago Is. as whole. disappointing Tho
boundary line between tina, Territory and tho
Dominion OF Canada. as fixed BY the treaty OF
1925 between Eussia and Great Britain. is the
14lst meridian Of west longitude: but It has
long been a mater OF dispute exactly whero
that meridian runs OF late years tho discovery
OF gold close 10 the presumed boundary has
made this question important. The general
result Of tho recent survey is reported to be
that OF showing that tho true line at Forty
Mile Creek is not tho one assumed by our
Government. but the one recently established
by Ogilve for the British Gov osernmrnt. several
miles further to the west. and far cnonrh dis
tant 10 put tho Yukon gold fields In Canadian
territory II the statement thus attributed to
an officer OF the expedition Is correct. disap-
pointment will eventually be felt by the people
OF Alaska. who have counted on the population
and the wealth Of this mining district as their
own. No doubt, also. the American miners
now established therc will he sorry TO find that
they are under Dominion control.
Tho last Canadian survey of the disputed
boundary line was undertaken two years
earlier than ours Ly Mr.. William OGilvie. VINO
made n prolonged and valuable exploration.
beginning at Chilkoot Inlet in 1887. lie
covered a grHnt axtcnt o' territory In his work.
and markell tho place At which lie tou' that
tho boun iary line crossed the Yukon: and Tho
result was to put the Yukon mines in british
territory. The minors there gathered. to the
number OF about three hundred. were In
formed by him OF his conclusions. and were
them Amoitrnn soil The difference between
American AZ B itish !ninins laws. OF witch
very earnest sub ect OF inquiry: but they ", 70
dnu, trss IN no haste to accept a view which
tho % 81 p % provided u"1rr ind pH iis laws I
uhey awaited surrey by "u own Govern
Ss; onn.s s tbs il STs s ae IL ,Ss
miners. who are mostly Americans will proba-
bly, have 70 submit 10 Candisn jurisdiction.
tho form of taxes and the establishment OF
One partial consolation for Alaska s rrospec-
t,s io.f ths 1qSon S Ed sds Is ,hs, the
ed, ana ha. thr >aiened iistur rHanses. viii
vaui h. The reports troucnt back by our sur
ysy {ar'y arc tHss tns unpcr auk is a.:
ownership might be anserous.. 1t Is we'll that
be settled beyond iispute. and the substa tial
agreement OF two SURVEYS. undertaken in on.
poste in5e'ests' VIII do much to bring about
Nv ,he exact del!ml!ationn o. the frontier
s1n s ana q, an mtu. n wGes
no, yet appear hat tho results of the Ame inn
ad tue 'H.snsn parties ws,o abs S ute!y
in tracing tho boundary line in he soul hern
part "f Alaska whore /. forms n comparati, civ
y so5 se the
line as follows:
s" ., y: T. eG9: Of IL: II:
in the para ei Of =. ~. north antmde and between
=: 3 $:;s:s
hss .hs pon ss ss:l. .s.. n:
d.srss Of attitude and from th,: on.d
ssn; =: : y; = y; :%:
:a POINT ., tns.ssi t :.ia @ meridian % lin. 'hs
Ocean .a. form NJ IL: itn. Russia. and Ell.
northwsM
The fourth article Of the treaty gave Prince
Of " ales Island to Russia. and forty-two years
island. with ali other Russian territory in
North Amerirn But he same treaty article
in
s.sts: 1ssas. a. rross q .s s. u.
Of NOR than ~, ten e.
e"s>. % When /. 6.ionz M f as aSoS. l
marine leagues therrfrom.
One difficulty in defining the boupdesy, nm.
der these tr"a'N strulat ms il that hc British
geog arhers and orr own mot quite ngre", as
to the sou horn starting point at ortlHHd In
let. in tn" Prince Of Wales Archipe ago. The
treaty sreaks plai MY I. .ouEh OF the channel
prise there Ike The famous one in r,'eren:e to
San juan lslard and the strai,s Of Fuca which
had TO be s"tt!eI ~ arbitration.
still more prolific in .aEreemcnts might be
limo along the ummit Of the mon nntains n" rail-
lei to tho coast. wi h tho occasional substtn-
| tion Of lEo arnllel t. Ibe later not exceed
| in z ten mar no Leagues th~ra'rom. In a iiton
TO- Tho grsnt irree rlarities in tho summit lin es
| with the possibility VI decided breaks In the
range. an! spu.s a,so 80 as 10 Eha Is meant
there are pa, allel lines OF peaks the denssl1
woodeh heights wonl' mako the work OF accu-
| rate survey difficult and costly.
For this reason. probably. although Canada
| initiate proceedings nenrlT twenty years ago
| for an intHrnat' onnl surv and agreement
and Congress has re' e'sateily been aske . 10
concur IN such an arapcem.nn,, ~ !, : } has been
bia took aldi ional stsps Tor this purpose and
Yukon and forcnp ne rivers are laid lefore
| Congress-. the whole subject oi a Joint survey
| a a oil itutt kar ~tt,An