The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-04

based on the recommendations of the mari
CURED In. suggesting Marcn /, 1895. as the
date to De set by proclamation for carrying
these rules into general effect. her Maj
position on the part OF British shipping in
terests. announced its inability to accept the
entire matter Is still In allegiance, without
future. ~
The commissioners appointed to mark the
International boundary in Passamaquoddy
bay. according to the description of the
i. treaty of Client. have not yet fully agreed
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The completion OF the preliminary survey
Of that Alaskan boundary which follows
the contour of the coast from the SOUTH
ernmost point OF Prince OF Wales Island
until II strikes the one-hundred-and-forty-
first meridian at or near the summit Of
Mount st. Elias. awaits further necessary
appropriation. which is urgently recon-
nended- This survey was undertaken I'M
der provisions of the convention entered
into by this country and Great Britain
July % 1892, and the supplementary con-
vention OF Feb. ,. 1894 As TO the remaining
section OF the Alaskan boundary, which
follows the observation-disclosures me-
ridan northwardly from Mount st. Elias
which involves the physical location OF the
meridian mentioned. no conventional agree
ment has yet been made. The ascertain s,I,,ia
point is work requiring much time and
careful observations and surveys Such OBJ
the United States Coast and Geodetic Sur
similar " work in the same quar-
ter under British auspices are believed
to give nearly coincident results, but these
surveys have been independently conduct
ed. and no International agreement TO
hundred-and- forty-first meridian by perma-
nent monuments has yet been made.
In the meantime, the valley of the Yukon
unknown. unexplored wilds of Alaska, and
abundant mineral wealth has been discov-
cred in that region, especially at or near
with the Yukon and its tributaries. In
these circumstances Ii Is expedient, and.
indeed. imperative. that the jurisdictional
limits of the respective governments in this
new region be speedily determined. Her
Britannia Majesty's government has pro-
posed joint dslimitasl ;d OF the one sItar
national commission OF experts, which. il
Congress will authorize IT and make due
With no unreasonable delay It is tmpos-
sible to overlook the vital Importance OF
continuing the work already entered on.
and supplementing 1t by further effective
measures looking to the exact location of
this entire boundary line.
I call attention to the unsatisfactory de-
the United States and ,ne Dominion of
Canada In the great lakes at the approach
es 10 the narrow waters that connect them.
TIE waters in question are frequented by
fishermen OF both nationalities. and their
nets are there used. Owing to the uncer-
tainty and Ignorance as 10 the true boun-
ures of boats and nets by Canadian cruz
sers often occur. While any positive set
Element thereof by an accepted standard is
not easily to be reached, joint commits
sion to determine the line In those quar-
ters on a practical basis. by measures
courses following range marks on shore. is
necessity for which immediate provision
should be made.
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION.
1t being apparent that the boundary dis
pute between Great Britain and the re-
public OF Venezuela concerning the limits
of British Guiana was approaching an
acute stage, a definite statement of the in
tercst and policy of the United States as
regards the controversy seemed to be
Quired, both on its own account and in
view of it's relations with the friendly
powers directly concerned. In July last.
therefore, dispatch was addressed to our
ambassador at London. for communication
to the British government, in which the
attitude OF the United States was fully
and distinctly set forth. The general con-
clusions there reached and formulated
in substance that the traditional and estab-
opposed to a forcible Increase by any Eu-
ropean power Of its territorial possessions
On this continent: that this policy is as well
founded in principle liz Is strongly sup
ported by numerous precedents: that, as
consequence, the United States Is bound
to protest against the enlargement OF the
area of British Guiana in derogation of the
rights and against the will of Venezuela;
that, considering the disparity in strength
OF Great Britain and Venezuela, the terri
tory in dispute between them can be rea-
sonably settled only by friendly and I'M
partial arbitration. and that the resort 10
controversy. and is not satisfied IL one of
the powers concerned is permitted TO- draw
an arbitrary line through the territory in
TO arbitration only the portion lying on enc
side of IT. In view of these conclusions
the dispatch in question called on the Brit
ish government for a definite answer TO
the question whether II would or would not
submit the territorial controversy between
itself and Venezuela in its entirety to i'm
British government has not yet been re-
ceived. but is expected shortly, when fur.
prebaSiy be made to tR e co one uD'e' VIII
In last years message narrated at some
length the jurisdictional questions then
freshly arisen in the Mosquito Indian strip
OF Nicaragua. Since that time. by the vol
untary act OF the Mosquito nation, the ter
ritory reserved to them has been incorpor-
ated with Nicaragua, the Indians formally
subjecting themselves TO be governed by
the general laws and regulations of the re-
public. instead OF by their own customs and
regulations. and thus availing themselves
or privilege secured to them by the
treaty between Nicaragua and Great Brit
ain of Jan. IS. 1860.
After this extension of uniform Nicara-
guam administration TO the Mosquito strip
the OF the British vice consul, Hatch.
and of several of his countrymen who had
been summarily expelled from Nicaragua
and treated with considerable indignity,
provoked a claim by Great Britain on Mo
aragua for pecuniary indemnity, which,
upon Nicaragua's refusal to admit liabil-
fty, was enforced by Great Britain. While
the sovereignty and jurisdiction OF Nicara-
gLa was In no way questioned by Great
Britain, the formers arbitrary conduct in
regard to British subjects furnished the
ground for this proceeding British ma
val force occupied. without resistance, the
Pacific seaport of Corinto, but was soon
after withdrawn on the promise that the
sum demanded would be paid.
Throughout this incident the kindly offices
OF the United States were invoked, and
were employed in favor of a peaceful set
element and as much consideration and in
diligence toward Nicaragua were con-
sistent with the nature of the case. Our
efforts have since been made the subject OF
appreciative and grateful recognition by
Nicaragua
THE CUBAN INsURRECTION.