The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-13
New Light ON Northwest boundary
Dispute by senator Davis, of For
efgn Relations Committee.
SECRET OF ENGLISH CLAIM
GREAT TERRITORY FOR WHICH
BRIgIsHERs DESIRE sEACoAsT.
PROLONGED Debate in the Senate This
Week Expected ON the silver
Substitute.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Davis,
OF the committee on foreign relations. has
ZEN giving considerable attention TO the
Alaskan boundary dispute. He has found
nothing in his Investigations which would
cause him to change the lines which have
always been understood the boundary,
and on which both countries have been pro-
ceeding for many years. He says that the
only question in dispute is whether the ten
marine leagues from the ocean meant from
the main land or from the adjacent islands.
Mr.. Davis says that this does not even pre-
sent a case for arbitration, because it is
manifestly plain that the shore of the main
land OF the continent Is the basis OF the
true line. 1t Is also evident from the selec-
ton OF the mountain range as line that
the men who drew the boundary agreement
meant that the line should be ten leagues
from the ocean where it touched the main
lands Islands. he says, always go with the
shore, and when a question arises as to
whether an island, no matter at what time
settled or claimed, belongs TO one country
or another, it goes always to the country
owning the main land if the main land is
adjacent. SO 1t is with the islands Of the
Alaskan Archipelago They became the
property OF Russia because Russia owned
the main lduQ Oh the SnOre, ana became
the property OF the United States when
Alaska was sold to this country
The desire OF Great Britain for a portion
OF the Alaskan coast is plainly apparent,
declares Senator Davis, when it is consid-
cred that there is vast country in the
Northwest territory which can reach the
seaDoard only through a pass IN the north
ROCKY mountains ana thence across the strip
OF land owned by the United States. East OF
fof and If
Aiaskan coast is a country OF almost ines
Unable extent, known as the Peace river
country. There may be 100,OO0Oc0 acres of
tiiiaoie or pastoral ground there. 1t has
the benefit OF the warm-air currents from
the Pacii1c, which make IL milder climate
than in those portions Of the northwest ter
ritory still further east. 1t Is desired by
Great Britain TO open up this great wheat
ana stock-producing country and secure
canadian Pacific road could be built through
this Peace River region, and by a pass
through the mountains reach the sea coast
without much trouble and by a much
shorter haul than by railroads further
south. This would give the Canadian Pa
CHIC another Western terminus, would build
up a British city right on the flank of the
Alaskan possession OF the United States:
there would be another great naval station
and military pest commanding our Alask-
an territory, and the protection which the
Alaskan coast now gives to this country
would be largely nullfied. The object of
Fertile nndn Is quite o p.aa bpop the great
road TO the coast through the Peace River
region there would be vast fields of cereals
competing with the grains raised in our
states along the northern border At pres
ent these fields cannot be opened nor the
lands developed because OF the long rail
maui to the terminus of the Canadian Pa
chic road Without another terminus in
Alaska these great fields cannot be opened
without the consent OF the United States
Senator Davis does not think this govern
ment VIII ever seriously consider the uues-
ton OF arbitrating the Alaskan boundary.