The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-04
AN EYE ON CANADA.
She Will Not Be Permitted to
Steal Alaska.
INTEREST IN THE DISCUSSION.
The Seattle Chamber OF Commerce Will
Watch Proceedings New York
Sun Takes Up this Fight.

The Alaska boundary dispute. which
has been officially taken up by the Seat
tie Chamber of Commerce has begun TO
attract wide attention. and the depart
nent at Washington City will no doubt
soon awake TO the danger which Is Inn
minent TO American possessions in The
north The Chamber here has appointed
standing committee to gather informa-
ton on the subject and report from time
to time, in order that the people OF the
United States may not be uniformed OF
Canada's progress In the matter The
New York Sun has begun to be active In
prodding the department to take some
definite action relative TO Canada's stti-
tude, and few days ago the following
article. under date OF Washington City,
appeared in its columns:
Our territorial rights In Alaska. as
against the British claims there. have
again been brought TO the attention of
the state department. The legislature cf
the state of Washington recently took
up the subject, and adopted resolution
OF protest, which, has been sent here. In
the preamble TO the resolution IL is al
legged that England has laid claim 10
those harbors. bays and inlets through
which the commerce and trade OF Alaska
must be carried on: and IN the resoiu-
ton our government is urged TO use sll
honorable means for the maintenance OF
the claim OF the United States TO the
ownership OF the important regions OF
the Alaskan sea coast which right.ully
belong to US by treaty with Russia. The
resolution of the legislature of Washing
ton also expresses desire that IN TN
eQuivocal policy in regard 10 this matter
shall be adopted by the Federal gf vern-
ment
1T is true that, under the reports OF
the American boundary commission ar a
the Angio-Canadian boundary commits
sion OF last year, England lays claim to
large and valuable portions OF Alaska
both IN the interior and on the seaboard,
which had previously been regarded rs
American territory. IL Is also true that
both OF the commissions OF survey came
to very nearly the same conclusion re-
garding the questions which they had
been appointed 10 settle. There were.
however. Emergencies between them re-
garding certain matters which cannot be
overlooked. II may be OF slight conse-
quence that the lofty Mount ST. Elias and
also most OF the Yukon placer mines were
declared TO be within the British lines;
but II Is OF serious consequence that En-
gland shall not, by unfair means. obtain
possession OF the most serviceable har-
bors on the Alaskan seaboard II Is ls-
cause OF her claim TO them that the lcgis-
iature Of the state OF Washington has en-
tered protest against their sure nder
on demand
1.-The fundamental fac. 20 be kept In
mind regarding Alaska. and the joint
British and American survey OF IL. Is
that the boundaries VIII not be finally
settled until they have been made the
subject OF DIPLOMATS negotiations be-
tween the governments at London and at
Washington City. under the terms OF the
treaty OF ks between Russia and Great
Britain. and by which treaty our rights
must be determined. Since the compile
ton OF the survey. Il IL the negotiating
Authorities OF the Two powers In interest
that mus: attempt TO determine the va
laity Of their respective claims. n so far
as they may conflict The English de-
sire that the line shall be drawn so
10 cross some OF She broad inists upon
tae Southwest. through which they can
gain access TO their own domain from
the sea. and near which they can esfsh-
llsh fortlaeattons that may yet be ser
vsceable 20 then. Their claims IN this d.
reetson are held by those here who have
Studied the question 20 Re wholly mad
nllsxlsis. and should they ee presented 20
Secretary Gresham, he need not have any
trouble. IL Is maintained. "a demonstrate