The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-12-07

ence Of Washington and concurred in
suggesting March l. 1895, as the date t
be set by proclamation for carrying thes
rules into general effect, her majesty
government, having encountered opposi
ton on the part of British shipping inter
ests, announced its inability to accept thu
findings Of the conference, which was con
sequently cancelled. The entire matte
is still in allegiance, without prospect Of {
better condition in the near future.
The commissioners appointed to mari
the international boundary in Passama
quoddy 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 it strikes the 141st 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
| p, 1892 and the supplementary conven-
| ton of February 3. 1894. As to the remain
| ing section of the Alaskan boundary,
/ NltNn 4OllOWS the ItlSl llctlui1l AlOA III
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 a given meridian
at particular point is work requiring
much time and careful observations and
surveys. Such observations and surveys
were undertaken by the United States
coast and peOdpffp in
while similar work in the same quarters
under British auspices are believed to
give nearly coincident results, but these
surveys have been Independently conduct
ed and no international agreement to
mark those or any other parts Of the
141st meridian by permanent monuments
has yet been made.
In the meantime. the valley of the Yu-
kon is becoming a highway through the
hitherto unexplored 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 it's tributaries. In
these circumstances it is eXpedient, in
deed imperative. that the jurisdictional
limits of the respective governments has
proposed a joint delimitation of the 141st
meridian by an International commission
of experts, which. if congress will au-
thorize it and make due provision there
for, can be accomplished with no unreal
sonable delays.
1t is impossible to overlook the vital i'm
pOrtance of continuing the work already
entered upon and experimenting it by
further effective measures looking to the
exact location of this entire boundary
line.
1 call attention to the unsatisfactory |
delimitation of the respective jurisdictions |
of 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 |
frequented by fishermen of both nation
alities 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 &C
eepted standard is not easily to be reach
cd. A joint commission to determine the
inc in these quarters on a practical basis,
by measured courses following range
marks on shore is a necessity for which
immediate provision should be made.
VENEZUELAN QUESTION.
1t being apparent that the boundary dis
)ute between Great Britain and the re-
,ublic of Venezuela concerning the limits
# British Guiana was approaching an
-Cult SNdlGs d uClllAllC statement OIL the | I
interest and policy of the United States as
egards the controversy seemed to be re-
uired both on its own account and in
lew of its relations with the friendly | !
overs directly concerned.
In July last, therefore, a dispatch was |
to our ambassador at London ,
or communication to the British govern ;
lent in which the attitude of the United :
tates was fully and distinctly set forth
he orannra1 |
nd formulated are in substance that the
additional and established policy of this
oVernment is firmly opposed to a forci-
lie increase by any European power of \
S territorial possessions on this CONT n
ent; that this policy is as well founded in a
'inciple as it is strongly supported by n
lmerous presidents that as a conse- o
lence the United States is bound to pro- r
st against the enlargement of area of
ritish Guinea in derOgatiOn of the rights p
Id against the will of Venezuela: that, il
nsidering the disparity in the strength n
Great Britain and Venezuela, the Ii
rritorial dispute between them can be Il
asonably settled only by friendly, i'm Of
rtial arbitration and the resort to such in
should include the whole con- IL
oversy and is not satisfied if one of al
e powers concerned is permitted to draw ju
arbitrary line through the territory in ST
bate and to declare that it will submit W
arbitration only the portion lying on
e side of it. In view of these conclu- OF
ms, the dispatch in question called upon | W
e British government for definite an &C
-er to the question whether it would m
bmit the territorial controversy between in
elf and Venezuela in its entirety to i'm fiC
rtial arbitration. The answer of the er
itish government has not yet been re- su
wed but is expected shortly, when fur CT
er communication on the subject will be
Obably be made to congress. N