The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-04
BOUNDARY OF ALASKA.
WHAT mas BEEN DONE mr. 1H1
BRITISH. AMERICAN COMMISSION.
Lines in the Original boundary Provided
by Treaty Which Cannot NJ
Properly Laid Down.


WASHINGTON. Jan. 2--The statement
in Lord Aberdeen's address TO the
Canadian Parliament at its opeu-
ing session to-day, that the Com
missioaers appointed by Great BTU
ain and the United States for the
purpose OF delimiting the boundary De-
tween Alaska and Canada, had conciuo-
ed their labors, and signed n Joint report
for presentation TO their respective Ges-
efnments, Is liable 10 mis- ')nstruction
v6-hout explanation. II must nos D
assumed that these Commissioners nave
agreed upon a boundary line between
Alaska and Canada they have simply
signed report upon the results or Sc
ries CT surveys that have been IN progress
for several years past
These surveys were carried on by par
ties from the United States and Canada
under direction OF a Commissioner from
each country, appointed pursuant to tue
provisions of Convention concluded IN
Washington. July y. lse2. for the purpose
OF determining. II possible. the boundary
line OF Southeast Alaska. The CommiS-
soner for the United States was DR.. y
&. Mendenhall. Superintendent OF the
Coast and Geodetic Survey frcm Sept >.
1892. until July I, 1894. and his successor
at the head OF the survey. Gen. W. W.
DuHield. since his retirement: for CANADA
W. i. King. 5. ID. T. s., Chief Astrono-
mer of the Department of Interior, has
served continuously as Commissioner. :,
The boundary line between Alaska ana
Canada was fixed IN a treaty between
Russia and Great Britain. which dehneu
It. in substance, as follows: Beginning
at the southernmost point OF Prince OF
MALES Island. northward through the wa
ters of Portland Canal TO its head; thence
following the summit OF the mountains
TO a point where they intersect the hlst
meridian of longitude. provided that al no
point shall the boundary be located moro
/ than ten marine leagues from the shore.
/ This provision was inserted by Canning
/ who had had some experience with maps
! OF that period, and knew how unfeiapie
! they were. The mountain range taken as
the basis of the boundary delimited IN
the treaty. appeared on all the maps or
! the day, ard would have formed an ao-
mirable natural boundary line. But, I'M
! fortunately, as IL subsequently proNcu'
/ they did not exist i'm the shape shown on
the map. with a well-defined summit, ana
so the true line has always been In DOUBT
Messrs Dufleld and King met at Ma
{ cara Falls last week 10 sign their report.
the period for It's completion having ex-
I pired on the 3lst of December. What tnat
/ report is cannot, OF course. be toid' p"t
+ n Is believed that II comprises statement
| 10 run a line a. laid down I'm the treaty
] The surveys have demonstrated the iact.
| What next Is to he done Is question TOT
the diplomats, who will have TO determines
! what shall be substituted for that impossi-
! BILE line.
| The necessity for speedily reaching
conclusion in this regard was urged upon
| Congress by President Cleveland In MS
| annual message.
| Inc n boundary
| 1tlst meridian from Mount ST. Elias north
| 10 the Arctic Ocean. the situation IS much
! simpler Mr.. Ogilvie. a Canadian survey
! or. and J. f. NcGrath, OF the On'ted
| states Coast Survey, established that me-
| ridian at it's crossing OF the kukon river
; practically agreeing In their location. The
| line was continued to the POrcupine RIVER
and thence north 20 the Arctic ocean
| by ] II. Turner. of the Coast Survey III
1912, since which time no work mas oeeh
| dome nv the United States officials.
Mr. Olcilvie. however. has been the past
! summer engaged I'm extending the line
south from the Kukon river TO Forty
| Mile creek. and beyond The crossing
! Of the Yukon Is about 300 miles north or
| Mount St Elias II appears TO ne pret!y
well settled by the United States surveys
that the gold mines on Forty Mile creek
must be approached through British TER
ritory the junction of that stream Win
the Yukon river being well WITHIN ff'r
lines. The agitation OF the quesl OF
the boundary southeast of Mount y hsiihs
is really due. IL Is believed. 10 the desire
NJ the British authorities to possess the
entrance into the Yukon country from the
south II she can do this, Journey OF
I 600 miles around the coast and 1000 mics
M the river itself to the gold-bearing re-
oions can be avoided. York Times.