The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-19
First She Makes a Point and
Then, in Possession, Pro.
ceedS to Argue.
a STATEMENT OF THE CASE
No Reason Why the Exact Line
Should Not Have Been De.
termined Long Ago.

marked out by monuments long ago. The
United States made the purchase of Alaska
from Russia nearly thirty years ago and
took possession at once. The limits of the
Russian territory known as Russian
America were defined in the treaty of
cession March 50, 1867, in terms quite
unequivocal, and, except on one or two
points, leaving no room for dispute And
there would have been no dispute what
ever had the work of location been done in
the earlier years of our ownership, when
the country was UNEMPLOYED and the exist
ence and location of its rich gold mines
unknown, and the value of certain points
a. the head OF navigation and inlets reach
ing up into the country little dreamed of.
Then the lines could have been run i'm
partially and in accordance with the terms
of the treaty between Russia and Great
Britain, by which they were laid down
This treaty was made in 1925, when there
had been but little exploration even Of the
coast line, much less the interior.
No attempt was ever made to survey and
establish the permanent boundary while
Russia held possession. and none was made
after it passed to the ownership of the
United States until 1892 when an agree
ment was made between Great Britain and
the United States for the determination of
this boundary line. This convention was
concluded July %, went through all the
formallties and redtape of both London
and Washington, crossed the ocean twice
and was proclaimed and put in force with
in ninety days. Prompt work so far. In
view of the high-handed acts OF usurpation
OF authority by the Canadian Government
over the people in the territory in dispute,
hitherto conceded without question to be
within the boundaries and jurisdiction of
the United States, this convention will
be read with much interest.
1t Will be readily observed that the sur
vey under this agreement only covers the
part of the boundary line from the most
southerly point-Cape Muzon of Prince of
Wales Island-to the intersection of the
boundary as it may be run with the one
hundred and forty-f first meridian, and there
it stops. There is no provision fer a Joint
surrey and establishment of the line of
that meridian from this point of intersec-
ton northward to the Arctic Ocean. 1t
forms the boundary line for distance of
800 miles and cuts right through the min
ing region about Forty mile Greek, and it is
matter OF much importance that its exact
location in the Yukon Valley should be de-
termlned and marked as early as practi-
cable when spring opens, by joint survey
Ing commission under special agreement.
By the terms of the above convention
both parties were to submit their final re-
ports to the two Governments within
two years after the date of their first meet
ing. 1t was, however, found necessary to
extend the time, which was done by sup
Elemental agreement of February g. 1894,
extending it to December 81, 1895.
Now, it takes but little study of this con-
vention to show any man OF ordinary in
telligence that the Canadian authorities
are acting in most unwarranted and high
handed manner, usurping authority and
control over territory in which they have
no conceded rights.
The convention between the United
States of America and the United King
dom Of Great Britain and Ireland for
joint survey of the territory adjacent TO
the boundary line OF the United States of
America and the Dominion of Canada, di- |
viding the Territory of Alaska from the |
Province OF British Columbia and the |
Northwest Territory of Canada, was con-
Guided at Washington July %, 1892 rati- |
tications exchanged at Washington, August |
%, 1892; proclaimed August %, 1892.
& The following articles were adopted
Article l. The high contracting parties
agree that coincident or joint survey (as
may be found in practice most conveniently,
shall be made of the territory adjacent to
that part of the boundary line of the
United States of America and the Domin-
ion Of Canada dividing the Territory of
Alaska from the Province of British CO.
lumbia and the Northwest Territory of
Canada from the latitude OF 81 deg. 40 min
north TO the point where the said boundary
line encounters the 141st deg. of longitude
westward from the meridian OF Green
wich, by commissioners to be appointed by
the high contracting parties, with view
to the ascertainment of the facts and data
necessary to the permanent deiimitation
of said boundary line in accordance with |
the spirit and intent of the existing treat
les i'll regard to it between Great Britain
and Russia ard between Russia and the |
United States. y The respective |
commissioners shall complete the survey
and su omit their final reports thereof |
within two years from the date of their
first meeting. The commissioners shall,
so far as they may be able to
agree, make joint report to each !
of the two Governments, and they |
shall also report, either Jointly or sever
ally, to each Governm ent on any points on
which they may be unable to agree. 4
The high contracting parties agree that,
as soon IS practicable after the report or
reports of the commissioners shall have
been received. they will proceed to con-
slider and establish the boundary line in
question.
In defiance of the general spirit of amity
under which the convention was made and
the rules and customs of nations in like
cases, our people in Washington, seemingly
without protest. have allowed the Canadian
authorities to take armed possession
of a part of district not in dis
pute and proceed to collect customs
and exercise other acts of sovereign
authority over American citizens estab-
iished on what is American soil until,
by joint agreement of the two Govern
ments, it is made British soil.
By these acts of seizure and usurpation