The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-24
But the Dominion Authorities
Refuse to Give Out the
Result.
THE SURVEYS OF THE REGION.
One Significant Fact Is That the Force
Of Mounted Police Is Being
Increased.

OTTAWA, ONT, Nov. 23.-The Canadian
Boundary Commission sent to the seat of
the present troubles in Alaska returned to-
day, and will at once make its report to
the British Home Office. A report has
ment, but it will not be made public until
sanction has been received from the
Colonial Secretary.
A rumor has, however, leaked out from
an official source that the Alaskan ques-
ton is far from settled in spite of the re-
ports sent out week ago by the Canadian
authorities that the settlement of the
whole matter would be very simple and
only matter of few days. Since the re-
turn of the officials forming the commits
sion the Dominion authorities have re-
fused to make anything public as regards
the work done or the probable action that
will be taken.
When seen tonight Mr.. White, who had
charge of the entire investigation party
and who has also had the complete super
intendence of the surveying of the dis
puted region, stated that the work had
progressed in very satisfactory manner,
and that all the required initial surveys
had been made, and that this would prob
ably end the surveying unless closer one
were dem anded by the home authorities.
AS to the question of the settlement of the
dispute ne was non-committal, but in the
course of his remarks broadly limited that
Canada had established a pretty good
claim, or sufficiently good enough to be
perfectly satisfactory to the mem ers of
the commission. He said that the work of
the commission had been extremely diff
cult, but that it had to be carried through
very accurately in spite of difficulties
which seemed almost insurmountable and
even with more dispatch than was first an
tlcipated, as it was not expected that the
entire survey would be completed before
the end of December.
Speaking of the reported threatening
attitude of the miners, he said: "That
period has now passed, and the force Of
Dominion police at present in the region
will be able to cope with any troubles that
may arise. am struck by the very grave
manner in which the whole question is
viewed in the United States and Canada,
as it is really question that there should
be no dispute about, as the rights of each
are very clearly defined. In spite of the
general expression of feeling, from per-
sonal investigation I can say that there is
no thoughts of resisting the Canadian
Government. The miners are attending
to their work, and from the present indi-
cations there is reason to believe that the
claims that have been made as to the ex-
treme wealth of the richness of the region
have been in no wise exaggerated and
that with the progress of settlement it
will prove very rich region.
''The report of the commission has al
ready been made and l am not at liberty
to make any statements until the author
tiles have decided that it should be proper
l can only say that we have satisfied our
selves as to what rights we have and we
shall also respect these rights which we
have accorded to the United States"
From another source it is stated that the
report of the commission has greatly
changed the tone of affairs and tn at it
completely upsets the reports of the sur
veying commission made early in the
month to the Dominion authorities, as in
increasing the benefits to Canada it also
belittles those of the United States.
Another fact which is viewed with the
greatest interest by those who have fol-
lowed the question and which in diplo-
matte circles is supposed to carry great
weight is that notwithstanding the report
of the commission that the force of
Dominion police in the disputed region at
present is sufficient to cope with any dis
orders which may arise internally, the
Government still continues to send re-
endorsements as expeditiously as possible.
The return of the commission has given
new light to the whole affair, and the
general feeling is now that considerable
trouble will be experienced before the
matter is finally settled.