The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-03-05
DISPUTED alaska BOUNDARY
Full Text Of the Treaty for
It's Determination.
SIGNED BY SECRETARY oLNEY

Provides That an Early Survey b,
Made by q Commissioner From
! Each Government-Other Details
Washington, March 2.-The follow
ing is the full text of the treaty for thu
determination of the Alaska boundary
signed January 80, 1897, by Secretary
Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote:
"Article Each government shall
appoint one commissioner, with whom
may be associated such surveyors, as.
tronomers and other assistants as eacI
government may elect.
The commissioners shall at as early
period as practicable proceed to trace
and mark, under their joint direction
and by joint operations in the field, SO
much of the 141st meridian of west
longitude as is necessary to be defined
for the purpose of determining the exact
limits of the territory ceded to the
United States by the treaty between the
United States and Russia by the act of
March 80, 1867.
'Inasmuch as the summit of St.
Elias, though not ascertained to lie in
fact upon said 141st meridian, is so
nearly coincident Herewith that it may
be conveniently taken as visible land
mark whereby the initial part of said
meridian shall be established, it is
agreed that the commissioners, should
they conclude that it is advisable so to
do, may defect the most southerly
portion of said line SO as to make the
same range with the summit of Mount
st. Elias, such DETECTION not to extend
more than twenty geographical miles
northwardly from the initial point.
Article 2-The data relating to the
determinations already made at this
time by either of the two governments
concerned of points on or near the 141st
meridian, for the purpose of fixing its
position, shall be submitted by each
government to the commissioners. who
shall decide which of the results of the
determination shall be adopted by them.
In case of disagreement between the
commissioners as to the correct geo.
graphical co-ordinates of one and the
same point shall be described by such
views, maps separately, position mid
way between the two locations in ques-
ton of the 141st meridian shall be
adopted, provided the discrepancy be-
tween them shall not exceed 900 feet.
In case of greater discrepancy, a new
joint determination shall be made by
the commissioners.
Article 3-The location of the 141st
as determined hereunder,
shall be marked by visible objects, nat
ura1 or artificial, at such distances apart
as the commissioner SHAH agree upon,
and by such additional marks as they
shall deem necessary, and the line,
when and where thus marked, in whole
or in part, shall be deemed to perma-
nently define for all international pur-
poses the 141st meridian mentioned in
the treaty of March 80, 1867, between
the United States and Russia, and in
the treaty of. February %, 1895, be-
tween Great Britain and Russia. The
marks shall be determined by such
views, maps and other means as the |
commissioners shall decide upon, and
duplicate records of these descriptions
shall be attached by the commissioners
ointly and deposited by them with
heir respective governments, together |
With their final report, hereinafter men
ioned.
Article Each government shall
,ear the expenses incident to the en-
'loyment of its own appointees and of
he operations conducted by them, but
he cost of material used in permanent
y marking the meridian, and of it's
transportation, shall be borne jointly
nd equally by the two governments.
Article 5-The commissioners shall
iligently prosecute the work to it's
and they shall submit to-
heir respective governments from time
o time, and at least once in every cal
ndar year, joint report of progress
nd final comprehensive report upon
he completion of the whole work.
The present convention shall be
uly ratified by the president of the
United States OF America, by and with
he advice and consent of the senate
hereof, and by her Britannia majesty,
nd the ratifcations shall be exchanged
t Washington or in London as soon as
ossible within twelve months from the
ate thereof. In faith whereof we, the
espective plenipotentiaries, have
gned this convention and have here
nto fixed our seals.
Done in duplicate in Washington
ne 30th day of January, 1897. Is,
Richard Olney, !
Julian Pauncefote." ,