The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-03

1hent. have not yet fully agreed
Alaska Boundary Dispute.
The completion OF the preliminary survey ot
that Alaskan boundary which follows the con.
tour OF the coast from the southernmost point
of Prince Of Wales Lsland until 10 strikes the
meridian at or near the summit Of Mount ST.
Elias awaits further necessary appropriation,
which Is urgently recommended.
As 20 the remaining section OF the Alaskan
boundary, which follows the lilst meridian
northwardiy from Mount 81. Eliasto the frozen
ocean, the settlement Of which involves
the physical location of the meridian men.
toned, no conventional agreement has yet
been made.
In the meantime the valley OF the Yukon is
becoming highway through the hitherto un.
explored wilds Of Alaska and abundant min.
eral wealth has been discovered in that re-
gion. In these circumstances II Is imperative
that the jurisdiction limits of the respective
governments ia= this new region be specially
determined Her Britannia majestys govern.
ment has proposed Joint delimitation of the
lilst meridian by an international commission
of experts, which, II congress will authorize
Ii and make due provision therefor can be ac
complshed with no unreasonable delay. II IL
impossible 10 overlook the vital importance OF
continuing the work already entered upon
and supplementing it by further effective
measures looking 10 the exact location of this
entire boundary line.
Great Lake boundaries.
call attention 10 the unsatisfactory delimi
tation OF the respective jurisdictions Of the
United States and the Dominion Of Canada i'm
the great lakes at the approaches to the narrow
waters that connect them. The waters in
question are frequented by fishermen of both
nationaltics and their nets are there 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 settle.
ment thereof by an accepted standard is not
easily 20 be reached.
A joint commission to determine the line in
those quarters, on a practical basis. by
measured courses following range marks on
shore. Is necessity for which immediate
provision should be made.
The Venezuelan Dispute.
II being apparent that the boundary dispute
between Great Britain and the republic Of
Venezuela, concerning the limits Of British
Guiana, was approaching an acute stage.
definite statement of the interest and policy
of the United States, Is regards the contro
versy, seemed 60 be required both on It's own
account and i'm view of its relations with the
friendly powers directly concerned.
In July last, therefore. a dispatch was ad-
dressed 70 our ambassador at London for com
muncation 10 the British government, 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 forcible increase by any European
power Of its territorial possessions On this con-
rirent: that this policy is as well founded in
principle az 1t Is strongly supported by numer-
Gus precedents; that, rs a consequence, the
United States is bound to protest against the
enlargement OF the area OF British Guiana In
1erogation of the rights and against the viii OF
Venczuela. that, considering the disparity
n strength of Great Britain and Venezuela,
the territorial dispute between them can be
reasonably settled only by friendly and i'm
partial arbitration, and that the resort to such
arbitration should include the whole contro-
versy, and is not satisfied If ono Of the powers
concerned is permitted TO draw an arbitrary
line through the territory in debate and TO de-
clare that IL will submit 10 arbitration only
the portion lying on one side OF it.
- In view of thesn conclusions. the dispatch in
question called upon the British government
Tor definite answer TO the question whether
II would or would not submit the territorial
controversy between itself and Venezuela in
Us entirety TO impartial arbitration.
The answer Of the British government has
not been received, but is expected shortly,
when further communication on the subject
will probably be made 10 congress
The Hawaiian Question.
Early in January last an uprising against
the government Of Hawaii was promptly sup
pressed Martial law was forthwith proclaimed,
and numerous arrests were made OF persons
suspected OF being In sympathy with the roy
slist party. Among these were several clu-
zens OF the Unitod States, who were either
convicted by military court and sentenced 20
death, imprisonment or fine, or were deporteo
without trial. The United States, while de-
IN a
Hawaiian cath OF allegiance, Insisted that
martial law, though altering the forms OF
Justice could not supersede,j justice itself, ana
demanded stay OF execution until the pro
ceedings had been submitted TO this govern
ment, and knowledge obtained therefrom that
our citizens had received fair trial.
The death sentences were subsequently com
mutod on were remitted on condition OF leay.
ing the Islands, The cases or c6rraru RmerF
cans arrested and expelled by arbitrary order,
without formal charge or trial. have had at
tention. and in some instances have been
found TO Justify rorr onstrance and claim Tor
indemnity, which Hawaii has not thus far con-
cedod
MrThurston, the Hawaiian minister, having
furnished this government abundant reason
Tor asking that he b. recalled, that course was
pursued, and his successor has lately been re-
oeived.
Padrone system Condemned.
The deplorable lynching OF several Itahan
laborers in Colorado was naturally followed
by international representations, and am
happy 70 say that the best efforts OF the state
in which the outrages occurred have been put
forth 10 discover and punish the authors OF
this atrocious crime.
These manifestations against helpless aliens
may he traced through successive stages 10
the vicious padronc system, which, unchecked
by our immigration and contract - labor
statutes-contrOls these workers from the
moment of landing on our shores, and farms
them out in distant and often rude regions
where their cheapening competition In the
fields OF bread winning toll brings them mo
collision with other labor interests. While
welcoming ~ we should, those who seek our
shores 60 merge themselves IN our body poll
tic and win personal competence by honest
effort, we cannot regard such assemble ages OF
distinctivey al On laoorers, hired ont IN the
mass 90 the profit a alien spectators ana
shipped hthrr and thither as tho prospect of
gain may dictate, as otherwise than repugnant
10 the spirit OF our civilization, deterrent TO
individual Advancement, and hindrances 10
the building up OF stable communities resting
upon the wholesome ambitions OF the citizen
and constituting the prime fnotor in the pros
pcrity and progress Of our nation. IL legls'