Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-12-13

pletion of the seal herds. by means of
pelagic hunting, has so harmfully pro-
crossed that unless their slaughter IL at
once checked their extinction within a
few years seems to be a matter Of abso-
lutte certainty.
The understanding by which the United
States was to pay and Great Britain to
receive a lump sum of $425 900 In full set
Element of all British claims for damages
arising from our seizure Of British seal
ing vessels unauthorized under the award
OF the Paris tribunal of arbitration. was
not confirmed by the last congress. which
declined to make the necessary appropria-
ton. / am still OF the opinion that this
arrangement was a judicious and advan-
tageous one for the government. and
earnestly recommend that 1t be again con-
sidered 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. A treaty of arbitration
has therefore been agreed upon and will
be Immediately laid before the senate
SO that in one of the modes suggested
a final settlement may be reached.
Notwithstanding that Great Britain
originated the proposal that there be en-
forced international rules for the preven-
ton Of collision at sea, based on the rec
concentrations of the maritime confer
ence of Washington and concurred In.
suggesting March /. 1895, as the date to
be set by proclamation for carrying these
rules into general effect, her majesty's
government. having encountered opposi-
ton on the part of British shipping inter-
ests. announced its inability to accept the
findings of the conference, which was con-
sequently cancelled. The entire matter
il still in allegiance. without prospect OF
better condition In the near future.
The commissioners appointed to mark
the international boundary In Passama-
quoddy bay. according to the description
of the treaty Of Client. have not fully
agreed.
ALASKAN SURVEY.
The completion of the preliminary sur
vey of that Alaskan boundary which fol-
lows the contour of the coast from the
southefnmost point Of Prince OF Wales
island until 1t strikes the 141st meridian
at or near the summit of Mount st. Elias,
awaits further necessary appropriations,
which is urgently recommended.
This survey was undertaken under the
provisions of the convention entered In
to by this country and Great Britain July
%, 1892. and the supplementary conven-
ton of February 8. 1894 AS to the remain
ing section of the Alaskan boundary,
wardly from Mount st. Elias to the frozen
ocean, the settlement of which involves
the physical location Of the meridian men
toned, no conventional agreement has yet
been made.
The ascertainment of a given meridian
at a particular point Is work requiring
much time and careful observations and
surveys Such observations and surveys
were undertaken by the United States
coast and geodetic survey in 1880 and 1881,
while similar work in the same quarters
| under British auspices are believed to
give nearly coincident results, but these
surveys have been Independently conduct
| ed and no international agreement to
mark those or any other parts OF the
| 141st meridian by permanent monuments
has yet been made.
| In the meantime. the valley Of the Yu.
| kon is becoming a highway through the
| hitherto UNEMPLOYED wilds OF Alaska
| Abundant mineral wealth has been discov'
| cred in that region, especially at or neal
the junction of the boundary meridian
| with the Yukon and its tributaries. Ii
| these circumstances 1t is expedient, in
| deed imperative, that the Jurisdictions
| limits of the respective governpents has
| proposed a joint delimitation OF the l4ls
meridian by an International commission
| of experts, which. If congress will au
| thorize it and make due provision there
for, can be accomplished with no unrea
sonable delays.
1t Is impossible to overlook the vital i'm
| portance of continuing the work alread!
entered upon and experimenting 1t b.
| further effective measures looking to thu
| exact location of this entire boundar.
line.
l call attention to the unsatisfactor.
delimitation of the respective Jurisdiction
of the United States and the Dominion
Canada in the great lakes and the ap
proaches to the narrow waters that con
meet them. The waters in question ar
frequented by fishermen of both nation
| alities and their nets are here used. OWin
to the uncertainty and ignorance as to tn
| true boundary vexatious disputes and In
furious seizures of boats and nets b.
Canadian cruisers often occur, while an
| positive settlement thereof by an &C
| cepted standard is not easily to be reach
ed A joint commission to determine tn
line in these quarters on practical basis
by measured courses following rang
| marks on shore is a necessity for whic
| immediate provision should be made.
VENEZUELAN QUESTION.
| 1t being apparent that the boundary dis
| pute between Great Britain and the re
public of Venezuela concerning the limit
of British Guiana was approaching a
acute state. definite statement Of tn
interest and policy OF the United States a
| regards the controversy seemed to be re
| quired both on its own account and
| view of its relations with the friendl
| powers directly concerned.
In July last, therefore. a dispatch wa
| addressed to our ambassador at Londo
, for communication to the British govern
| ment in which the attitude of the Unite
|, States was fully and distinctly set fortl
The general conclusions therein reache
and formulated are in substance that tn
|, | traditional and established policy of tn
, government is firmly opposed to fore
, BILE increase by any European power {
/ | it's territorial possessions on this cont
nent; that this policy is as well founded
) principle as 1t Is strongly supported
f | numerous presidents; that as cons
quence the United States is bound to pr
test against the enlargement of area
British Guinea in derogation of the RICH
and against the will of Venezuela: tina
considering the disparity in the streng'
e of Great Britain and Venezuela, II
t | territorial dispute between them can
: | reasonably settled only by friendly. In
S partial arbitration and the resort to SUI
r | arbitration should include the whole CO.
] | troversy and Is not satisfied II one
n the powers concerned Is permitted to ORA
s an arbitrary line through the territory
| debate and to declare that 1t will subrn
to arbitration only the portion lying