The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-04
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

logically might lead to consequences OF
the gravest character.
1 take pleasure in calling to your at
tention the encomiums bestowed on
these vessels of our new navy which
took part in the notable ceremony OF
the opening of the Kiel canal II was
fitting that this extraordinary achieve
ment of the newer German nationality
should be celebrated in the progress OF
American exposition of the latest de-
velopments of the worlds naval en-
ergy.
WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain. al
ways intimate and important, have de-
manded during the past year even a
greater share of consideration than IS
usual Several vexatious questions
were left undetermined by the decision
of the Boring sea arbitration tribunal.
The application of the principles laid
down by that august body has not
been followed by the results they were
dnteded to accomplish, either because
the principles themselves lacked In
breadth and definiteness or because
their execution has been more or less
Imperfect Much correspondence has
been exchanged between the two gov
ernments ON the subject of preventing
} the DISCRIMINATING slaughter of sea1s.
The insufficlency of British patrol of
Bering sen, under the regulations
agreed on by the two governments has
been pointed out and yet only two
British ships have been on police duty
during this season. in these waters. The
need of a more effective enforcement OF
existing regulations, as well as the
adoption of such additional regulations
as experience has shown to be abso-
autely necessary to carry out the intent
of the awards, have been earnestly
urged upon the British government,
but thus far without effective results.
In the meantime, the depletion of the
seal herds by means of pelagic hunting
has 80 alarm.ngly progressed that un-
less their slaughter Us at once eff s-tive-
ly checked their extinction within
few years seems ito be a matter of alb
Solute certainty.
The understanding by which the
United States was to pay, and Great
Britain to receive "a lump sum of S425,-
900 in full settlement of all BRITISH
claims for damages arising from our
seizure of British sealing vessels unau-
thorized under the award of the Paris
tribunal of arbitration, was not con-
firmed by the hast congress, which de-
cNned to make the necessary appropria-
tion. j am still OF the opinion that
this arrangement was a judiclous and
advantageous one for the government,
and l earnestly recommend that 1t be
again considered and sanctioned. III,
however. this does not meet with the
favor of congress-, 1T certainly will
iilardly 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 and the
only other alternative. A treaty Of
arbitration has therefore been agreed
upon and will be Immediately laid be-
fore the senate, so that in one of the
modes suggested a final settlement
may be reached.
Notwithstanding that Great Britain
originated the proposal, the enforced
international rules for prevention of
collision at sea based on the recon-
mendations of maritime conference of
Washington, and concurred in suggest
ing March /, 1895, as the date to be
set by proclamation for carrying these
rules into general effect, her majesty's
government having encountered oppo-
sjtion on tthe part of British shipping
interests announced sts inability to ac-
cept that which was consequently cam
celed. The entire matter Is still in
allegiance, without prospect of a. better
condition in the near future.
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The commissioners appointed to mark
the international boundary in Passa-
maquoddy bay, according to the de-
scription of the treaty of Ghent, have
not fully agreed. The completion of
the preliminary survey of that Alas
kan boundary which follows the con-
tour of THE coas. from THE southermost
point of Prince of Wales dsland until
Ii strikes the one hundred and forty
first meridian, at or near the summit
of Mount st. ERas, awaits further neces-
sary appropriation which Is urgently
recommended. This survey was under
m.
vention entered into by this country
and Great Britain July 22, 1892, and
the supplementary convention of Feb
ruary 3, 1894. As TO the remaining sec
ton of the Alaskan boundary which
follows the one hundred and forty-first
meridian nort'hwardly from Mount ct.
Elias to the frozen ocean. the settle
ment of which Involves the physical
location of the meridian mentioned, no
conventional agreement has yet been
made. The ascertainment of a given
meridian at a particular point IL
work requiring much time and careful
observations and surveys. Such obser-
vatsons and surveys were undertaken
by the United States coast and geo.
detic survey in 1890 and 1891. while sim
slar work in the same quarters under
British auspices Is believed TO give
nearly coincbdent result; but these sur
veys have been independently conduct
mark those or any other parts OF the
one hundred and forty-first meridian
by permanent monuments has yet been
made. In the meantime. the valley OF
the Yukon Is becoming a highway
through the hitherto UNEMPLOYED wilds
OF Alaska. and abundant mineral
wealth. has been discovered IN that re-
gion especially at or near the junction
of the boundary meridian with the Yu-
kon and it's tributaries
/ call attention TO the unsatisfactory
delimitatson of the respective jurisdlc-
tons OF the United States and the Do
m.nlon OF Canada in the great lakes at
the approaches to the narrow waters
that connect them. The waters IN Ques-
ton are frequented by fishermen Of
both na.ionaEtles and their nets are
there used. Owing 70 the uncertainty
and ignorance as 20 the true boundary
vexatious disputes and injurious se.z-
ures Of boats and nets by Canadian
cruisers often occur. while any posi-
tive settlement thereof by an accepted
standard Is not easily % be reached.
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