The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-11-13
The Alaskan Boundary Dis
pute.

RAVOs
Some reference has already been
made in these columns to the Alaskan
boundary dispute. which during the
last week or 80 has been made to assume
a considerable degree Of importance.
The question is still 10 more or less
vague condition. and any light that
may be thrown upon it should be vel
comed. For definite information bear
ing on the question We shall have to
wait until the report of the jeint COM
mission appointed TO survey the terri
tory adjacent to the boundary line has
been made public For the present we
muse be content with such indications
as will be forthcoming in press dis
patches from Washington.
Ooe of these dispatches gives the
following account Of the boundary ques-
ton, and what: has been so far accom-
plished By the surveys 80 far had:
Uuder the treaty between Russia aud
Great Britain. fixing the boundary lioe
of Alaska. and the subsequent treaty
BY which Alaska became the property
Of the Uoited States, the boundary line
was to run. from the point where the
Portland Canal intersects the fifty
fourth degree. of latitude. northward
along the crest of the mountain range.
if there should be any, 90 the l4lss
degree of longitude it 10 mountain
range we're found, the line was to run
ten marine leagues from the coast line.
No range of mountains vas found so
that the Uuited States territory under
the treaty is strip of land ten marine
leagues 10 width along the coast.
Along the coast are series OF
islands, beginning with Prince OF
Wales Island to the southwark.
kuowu as the Alexander Archipelago,
aud when the reports Of the surveys
are made, the question as to whether
the ten marine leagues is to rur io'aod
frog. the line of these islands or from the
main land. aud as to whether the coast
line shall he considered to run from
headlapd to headlaud or to fellow the
actual coast line, must be determined
under rhe President aud Secretary
Olney on. behalf Of the United States,
and Queen. Victoria and Sir Julian
Pauncefots. on behalf. Of Crest Britain.
The Canadian maps now make the
boundary line Gun .eo marine leagues
from the outer coast line of the island
Of the Alexander Archipelago. show
ing that Great Britain is already pre-
pared to make contention for cha.
line. The point at which the Portland
Canal crosses the 26th degree o: lati-
tude' has been determined. and also the
point at which the ten marine leagues
line mae.a the 141st parallel. NJ uos
St.. .Eliaa, it has been ascerta,ued. is in
longitude 40: degrees aud Al minutes
west. i.:...
Another point Of importance to be
determined by the snrveysis is as to the
places at which the l41st degree of
longitude crosses the. .Forty-mlle Creek
and the Yukon river. ? poiat which
involves the ownership Of some gold
mines nov being developed. For def:
mite information on all these questions
we must wait until the publication OF
the report Of the survey.
4 circumstance which has drawn at:
ten.lon to the boundary question dur
ing the last week or soils a report of
trouble between Uoited States spd
British miners. A somewhat sensation
al report hes been made public to the
effect that troops organized and drilled
uuder the inspection of revenue officers
are in Alaska, north Of Juneau. pre-.
pared to protect American miners in
their rights As to the grounds for this
report. ALI that can be said is that as
far as it can be ascertaiped sach action
as tha, rumored has not been taken un-
der the. authorization Of any recognized
national officials. but If disputes or con-
diets have occurred, it must have been
between miners acting 10 purely pri.
vate capacity. That opportunities for
such conflicts naturally present them.
selves under the conditions hedging
about the Alaskan boundry line cannot
be disputed. but it seems likely that
they will not lead to any trouble of
Importance, certainly not until further
steps looking toward delimita1ion OF
the Boundary have been made By both
governments. .--Bradstreet.
An Excellent Show.