The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-04
MESSAGE
IContinued.from First rage.l

in those waters. The need of a more
effective enforcement of existing reg
1lations. as well as the adoption OF
such additional regulations as expert
ence has shown to be absolutely nee
essary to carry out the intent OF the a.
ward. have been earnestly urged upon
the british Government, but thus far
without effective results. In the mean
time the depletion of the seal herds by
means of pelagic hunting has so a
larmingly progressed that unless their
slaughter is at once effectively check
ed their extinction within a few years
seems to be matter Of absolute GER
tainty, The understanding by which
the United States was to pay, and
Great Britain to receive, lump sum
of 1925 900 in full settlement of all Bri-
fish claims for damages arising from
our seizure of British sealing vessels
unauthorized under the award of the
Paris tribunal of arbitra ION, was not
confirmed by the last Congress, which
declined to make the necessary appro-
priation. | am still OF the opinion that
this arrangement was a iudicious and
advantageous one for the government
and l earnestly recommend that it be
again considered and sanctioned. If,
however, this does not meet with the
favor of Congress-. it certainly will
hardly dissent from the proposition
that the government is bound by every
consideration Of honor and good faith
to provide for the speedy adjustment
of these claims by arbitration as the
only other alternative. treaty OF ar
bitration has therefore been agreed up
on, and will be Immediately laid before
the Senate, SO that in one of the modes
suggested final settlement may be
reached. Notwithstanding that Great
Britain originated the proposal to en-
force international rules for the pre-
vention of collisions at sea. based on
the recommendations of the marine
conference of Washington and con
CURED in suggesting March /, 1895, as
the date to be set by proclamation for
carrying these rules into general ef-
feet, her majesty's government, hav
ing encountered opposition on the part
of British shipping interests, announc-
ed its inability TO accept that date.
which was consequently cancelled. The
entire matter is still in allegiance, with
out prospect of better condition in
the near future.
PASSAMAQUODDY BAY.
The commissioners appointed to
mark the international boundary in
Passamaquoddy bay according to- the
description of the treaty Of Client have
not yet fully agreed.
JURISDICTION IN THE GREAT
LAKES
/ call attention to the unsatisfactorv
delimitation of the respective iurisdic-
tions of the United States and the do
mnion of Canada in the great lakes at
the approaches to the narrow waters
tnat connect them. The waters in
question are frequented by fishermen
of both nationalities and their nets are
there used. Owing to the uncertainty
and ignorance as to the true boundary,
vexatious disputes and injurious seiz-
ures of boats and nets BY Canadian
cruisers often occur, while any posi-
tive settlement thereof by an accept
ed standard is not easily to be reached.
4 JOINT commission to determine the
me IN those quarters, on a practical
OASIS, by measured courses following
range marks on shore, is a necessity
1er which immediate provision should
be made
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The completion of the preliminary
survey of that Alaskan boundary
which follows the contour of the coast
from the Southernmost point of Prince
of Wales island until it strikes the one
hundred and forty-first medidian at or
near the summit of Mount st. Elias a.
waits further necessary appropriation,
which is urgently recommended. This
survey was undertaken under the pro-
visions OF the convention entered into
ny this country and Great Britain July
-, 1872, and the supplementary con-
tention of February 3, 1894
As to the remaining section of the
Alaskan boundary, which follows the
one hundred and forty-first medidian
northwardiy from Mount Stelias to the
frozen ocean, the settlement of which
involves the physical location of the
meridian mentioned, no conventional
agreement has yet been made. The as
certainment of a given meridian at a
particular point is work requiring
much time and careful observations
surveys. Such observations and sur
veys were undertaken by the United
States Coast and Geodetic survey in
1890 and 1891, while similar work in
the same quarters under British aus
cident result; but these SURVEYS have
been independently conducted and no
international agreement to mark those
or any other parts of the one hundred
and forty-first by permanent moments
has yet been made. In the meantime
the valley of the Yukon is becoming a |
highway through the hitherto unex-
plored wilds of Alaska, and abundant
mineral wealth has been discovered in |
That region, especially at or near the |
junction of the Boundary meridian
with the Yukon and its tributaries In |
these circumstances it is expedent,and
indeed, imperative, that the iurisdic- |
Honal limits of the respective govern
Inents in this new region be speedily |
determined. Her Brittanic Maiesty's |
government has proposed n Joint de- |
Illumination of the one hundred and
iorty-iirst meridian by an information
al commission Of experts, which, if |
congress will authorize and make due |
provision therefor, can be accomplish
ed with no unreasonable delay. 1t is |
impossible to overlook the vital impor-