The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1895-12-07

ence Of Washington and concurrsd in
suggesting March /. 1855, as the date &
be set by proclamation for carrying thee
rules into general effect. her majesty
government having encountered opposi
tion on the part OF British shipping inter
ests. announced its inability to accept tn,
findings of the conference. which was con
seauently cancelled. The entire matte
Is stu In allegiance. without prospect OF
better condition In the near future.
The commissioners appointed to mari
the International boundary In Passama
auoddy 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
southernmost point Of Prince Of Wales
| island until II strikes the l4lst 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
| :. iNe. and the supplementary conven-
ton OF February ) 1884. As to the remain
| ing section of the Alaskan boundary.
| which follows the last meridian north
| 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 q given meridian
a; 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 1850 and 1897
while similar work in h.a
under British auspices are believed to
give nearly coineident results. but these
surveys have been Independently conduct
ed and no international agreement to
mark those or any other parts Of the
lust 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 near
the junction OF the boundary meridian
with the Yukon and its tributaries. In
these circumstances /, Is expedient, In
deed imperative. that the jurisdict ional
limits OF the respective governments has
proposed joint delimitation of the Hist
meridian by an International commission
OF experts, which. II congress will au-
thorlze IL and make due provision there
for, can be accomplished with no unreal
sonable delays.
II is impossible to overlook the vital i'm
portance OF continuing the work already
entered upon and experimenting 1t by
further effective measures looking to the
exact location OF this entire boundary
line.
l call attention TO the unsatisfactory
dellmitation OF the respective jurisdictions
or the United States and the Dominion OF
Canada in the great lakes and the ap-
proaches TO the narrow waters that con-
meet them. The waters in question are
rrequented by fishermen OF both nation
alties and their nets are here used. Owing
to the uncertainty and ignorance as to the
true boundary vexatious disputes and in
furious seizures of boats and nets by
Canadian cruisers often occur while any
positive settlement thereof by an ac-
cepted standard Is not easily to be reach
ed. A joint commission to determine the
line In these quarters on practical basis.
by measured courses following range
marks on shore Is a necessity for which
immediate provision should be made
VENEZUELAN QUESTION.
II being apparent that the boundary dis |
pute between Great Britain and the re-
public of Venezuela concerning the limits
~ British Guiana was approaching an |
acute state. a definite statement OF the |
interest and policy OF the United States as |
regards the controversy seemed to be re-
luired both on its own account. and In |
view OF Its relations with the friendly |
powers directly concerned
In July last, therefore, a dispatch was
addressed TO our ambassador at London |
for communication to the British govern
ment in which the attitude OF the United
states was fully and distinctly set forth |
The general conclusions therein reached
and formulated are in substance that the
traditional and established policy Of this
government Is firmly opposed to a forci-
Die Increase by any European power OF |
rs territorial possessions on this contl-
lent; that this policy Is as well founded In
principle as II IL strongly supported by |
numerous presidents; that as consa-
Iuence the United States Is bound to pro |
est against the enlargement of area OF |
British Guinea in teroga ton OF the rights
md against the will OF Venezuela. that
considering the disparity in the strength
n Great Britain and Venezuela the
erritorial dispute between them can b.
easonably settled only by friendly. i'm.
'artial arbitration and the resort TO such
should include the whole CON |
roversy and il not satisfied II one Of |
he powers concerned IS permitted to draw |
n arbitrary line through the territory in |
ebate and to declare that 1t will submit |
o arbitration only the portion living on
ne side Of IT, In view Of these conch,- ,
ions, the dispatch in question called upon | ,
he British government for A dernit. an ,
wer to the question whether IL would ,
uomlt the territorial controversy between
-self and Venezuela in its entirety to i'm
artial arbitration. The answer Of the :
british government has not yet been re- :
e!ved but Is expected shortly. when fur
her communication on the subject will |
robably be made to congress