The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-02-14
BOUNDARY LINES.
Disputes Between the United
States and England,
What They Were and How They
Were Settled.

i
between the United States and Great
Britain, showing how they originated
and how they have been dealt with
and settled.
These disputes began soon after the
United States became an independent
nation and they have arisen at various
times since. They have all been
amicably settled, either by arbitration
commissioners or by treaty, except
the pending one touching the Alaskan
boundary.
The first ono to spring up related
to the ST. Croix River. In tho treaty
Of peace Of 1888, which defined the
line Of separation between the United
States and British possessions to the
north, the source Of the St Croix
River was specified as an important
point on the boundary line. A ques-
ton was soon raised as to what river
was meant by the St Croix River,
and after a warm debate it was agreed
to refer the matter to the adjudication
OF three commissioners, one to be
named by the United States, one by
Great Britain and a third to be select
ed by the two so named. These com
missioners gave their decision in 1898,
holding that the Schodiao was the
river intended by the treaty. This de-
cision was accepted as final and salts
factory.
Then came the Passamoquoddy Bay
dispute, arising under the article of
the treaty of peace which conceded to
the United States the islands within
twenty leagues of the coast. The
United States claimed Grand Menan,
in the Bay of Fundy, and the islands
in Passamaquoddy Bay, a part of the
Bay of Fundy. These islands we're
claimed by Great Britain on the
ground that when the treaty was
signed they were within the limits of
Nova Scotia, and hence were exempt
: from cession. A prolonged and heated
diplomatic controversy ensued, and
finally, by the treaty of Client in
1914, it was stipulated to submit the
dispute to two commissioners, and if
they failed to agree the final arbitra-
ment was to be made by some friendly
sovereign. The commissioners agreed
to award three islands in the Bay OF
PassamOquoddy to the United States
and all the others to England. This
compromise was accepted by both
sides.
In 1914, when the Treaty of Client
was signed, the northeastern boundary
was still in dispute. Two commits
t sioners were chosen to settle it, but
a after several years consideration they
: failed to agree. 1t was then sub
s mitted to the King of the Netherlands
= as a sole arbiter, who made an award
: which the two governments subse
l quently agreed to waive. After years
n of contention and diplomatic contro
e versy the whole northeastern boundary
It was finally settled by the conclusion
}, of the Webster Ashburton treaty il
i 1912.
o Meanwhile a dispute had arisen a
it to the northwestern boundary. A
d early as 1918 a temporary agreement
10 had been entered into by convention
u but the opening up of the countr,
o soon called for definite and perma
= nent understanding. The controvers,
Ia waxed SO warm that in 1914 it wa
a made part issue in this country. TIL
[e parallel of 81 degrees 40 minutes wa
,e claimed as the northern boundar,
n of the United States, an,
l. "tifty-four-forty or fight" became tn
is democratic campaign cry. Englan
or centended for the 49th parallel. /
t. 1916 the Buchanan Pakenham treat
le wus concluded and ratified by tn
is Senate, recognizing the boundary-lin
lg as running as running along the ACT
he parallel westward to the middle of til
It's channel which separates the mainlan
d, from Vancouver's Island and theme
to southeast to the Pacific. The con
We missioners appointed under this treat
as to locate the boundary line disagree
We as to the Interpretation of the treat.
- = g.. - L.n,L II -. ~.