The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-07
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY SURVEY.
What II to Re Accomplished
Method Of Work.

MethO0 OF WORK.
The exact boundary between Alaska and the
adjoining Canadian territory has never been
defined. and its location with fairness and Jus.
tice to both countries Is the end now sought,
and toward the accomplishment of which the
sending out of the present parties of exploratory
surveyors 10 an important step. Long years ago
when the present century was young, Russia
had . number OF settlements on the far north
ern coast Of America, while Great Britain had
lishment of boundary line was in 1928 whom
the two countries interested entered into con-
vention which provided the division OF juris-
diction since recognized.
Il was cited that the boundary should com.
mencs at the southernmost point Of the island
called Prince OF Wales island, which point lies
In north latitude'54 degrees 40 minutes and be-
tween the l3lst and 1884 msridians of longitude,
and should ascend to tho north along the chan
mel called Portland channel - far a. the point
OF the continent where It strikes the Seth
parallel. From this aforementioned point IL was
laid down that the line should follow the sum-
NIT Of the mountains situated parallel to the
coast a. Ear a. the 14lst meridian of west longi-
tude. Thenceit was to follow the l4Ist meridian
to the Arctic ocean.
There was proviso that the whole Of Prince
Of Wales island should belong to Russia; aud
another that wherever the summit OF the mount
aims extending in direction parallel to the coast
be found to be at q distance moro than ton
marine leagues from the ocean. the line was to
be drawn parallel to the winnings of the coast
and at q distance not exceeding ten marine
leagues inland.
That line has never been defined, and when
in 1867 the United states purchased the terri
tory of Alaska from Russia it was subject to the
same treaty as to boundary. Nothing further In
the direction of establishing a definite bound
AIRY has since been done, except In 1875 when q
provisional line for customs purposes was sur
veyed by Mr. Hunter at the Stickeeu.
Realizing the growing i'm portance Of the long
strip of territory traversed by the uncertain
boundary line, convention was entered into
between Great Britain aud the United States in
August OF last year by which each country ap-
pointed a commissioner to make joint survey
for the purpose of ascertaining the facts and
data necessary for the permanent deiineation of
the boundary line according TO the existing
treaties. These commissioners, ProfA King and
Mendenhali-gentlemen selected for the work
ON account Of their peculiar fitness. demon
strated by long experence-are required to re-
port in two years the result of their explorations
and observations
The chief point in debate is to how far the
mountains and how far the imaginary line fol.
lowing the sinuosifies of the coast shall carry
the boundary. The Americans claim, and their
charts aud maps show, United States territory
~ forming q strip ten marine leagues I'm width
all along the seaboard. The British contention
on the other hand is according to the evident
intention as we'll as express wording Of the
treaty, the mountains running parallel with
the coast carry the line wherever they occur
within the ten marine leagues of the seashore-
the maximum limit of United States posses
sion. AS the mountains are generally believed
to skirt the coast almost continuously. this
gives the Americans q very narrow strip OF ter.
ritory-qui;e different from one ten leagues in
width uniformly.
To find out what the character Of this hith-
erto unexpiored country IL 10 one Of the chief
objects of the present expedition. and from the
maps and reports OF the surveyors just departed
the necessary ''facts and data" will be detained
Just hat snuosities will DO entitled to carry
the coast line and what are to be regarded al
mere fndensions will also b determined by
these maps aud repo1tA
The explorations of Schwatka, Ogilvie and the
few Others who have visited certain portions of
the land TO be surveyed will be OF little IL any
value to the present purpose, a. the atteE tons
OF these pioneer explorers have been directed
further inland. IL IL already known that but
little agricultural land exists in the disputed
territory, ana in all the long stretch OF seaooard
but few rivers met with that extend more
than ten marine leagues inland. among them
the Unuk, 6icKeen, Taku, Chiicat and Alsek.
There are, however. many mountain torrents
which pour themselves over PERCEPTIONS cliffs
into the and are q characteristics par, OF
scenery which for savage grandeur cannot DO
surpassed the world over.
As far a. exploration along the coast An inlets
has developed the character Of the region into
whose heart the surveyors are now advancing,
It has been found to consist OF rugged noun.
tains, rich In gold and silver quartz, rningl1ng
with other precious metals Nor Is Il probable
that the coast Groupings OF ore are more than
hint Is 10 the contents OF the s,iIl unopened
treasure house beyond As to the rivers IL 10
not a. presen, known thar any canneries upon
them are found IN disputed territory, the head
quarters OF the Ais-ka salmon Industry being a,
poin,e along the coast itself
In prosecuting this years work the Americans,
a. before announced, will do most o. the coas.
surveying, their force being distributed in four
large pArtles- That in charge OF Mr. Ogden will
go up the Taku river: Mr.. McGrath viii survey
Taku Inlet: Mr.. Tismsna's work lies up III.
s.ickeen. and NJ Dickens MP the Unuk. They
viii also have officers accompanying their
various astronomical parties, fixing the points
along the coast; these Will carry the most i'm.