New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-13

States have been warned by the Canadian au-
thortles not To cut or remove the timber under
pain OF connscation and the same authorities
have assumed and attempted to exercise jurs-
diction over Islands In Rainy Lake and other
lands in that region which are claimed and gen
orally believed TO lie within the United States.
and upon which valuable deposits OF gold have
been discovered and developed to some extent
within the last year
These matters have been brought 20 the at
tcntion OF the Departments Of state and the
Interior in Washington, as we'll as 10 that OF
Congress, and have been the subject OF some
correspondence between the Secretary OF State
and the diplomatic representative OF Great
Britain. That they have caused great irritation
on both sides OF the international boundary
every body knows who is convcrsant with the facts
and 1t is apparent that the causes ~ irritation
Will multiply with the rapid development and
Increase 81 population Of the country along the
border, until the boundary line is clearly de-
nned ana properly marked which can be done
only by an international Boundary Commission.
The necessity that this should be- speedily done
appears at last 10 have been recognized by the
State Department, Tor In January, 1896. Secre-
tary Olney in a communication TO Chairman
Hltt, ~ the House Committee on Foreign Az
fairs, said.
To this end negotiations have been in prog
ress FOR some time. and y is the view Of the De
partnent that should an Appropriation be made.
In the event 81 the negotiation OF a treaty. for
the purpose 20 dcfray the expenses OF Joint
survey and commission 10 report an agreement
founded upon the true intent of the previous
boundary treaties as may be demonstrated by
an accurate examination Of the territory re-
ferred to- 81 would materially assist IN the set
Element Of this un1dJustcd boundary.
COMPLICATED BOUNDARY
This communication referred specifically 10
that portion OF the boundary extending from
Lake Superior to the Lake OF the Woods. From
a point near Isle Royale. in Lake Superior. to
Chaudiere Falls. in Rainy Lake the boundary
line has never been chared upon maps having
the international force and effect OF treaty. but
Il was described in Article III OF the Webster
Ashburton treaty, concluded in 1912. That de-
scripton. however. as well az the attempt to
delineate other portions OF the line from the
lower rapids OF Saint Mary's River to Isle Roy
ale. and from Chaudierc Falls. in Rainy Lake.
TO the Lake of the Woods. has still left the mat
ter according to n communication addressed by
Secretary Uhl to the British Charge In July.
1890 in n vague and unsatisfactory condition"
which required the careful attention OF the two
governments" This Is especially true OF that
portion Of the boundary extending from the
mouth OF Pigeon River. on the north shore Of
Lake Superior. 10 the foot OF Rainy Lake. n dis
lance OF several hundred miles through the tor
tuous water communication. which consists OF
a chain OF lakes and rivers. dlled with almost In
Vulnerable islands. In Rainy Lake alone there
are no fewer than one hundred and six Islands
on the American side Of the supposed boundary
line which have been surveyed and plated I'M
der the direction OF the General Land Office. TO
90 he isla nda m hat ~ for
which lie north OF the line. Every other lake
and stream Is likewise studded with islands and
Islets and Il would be impractcable TO make
n canoe voyage from the Lake OF the Woods
IN Lake Superior to-day without the aid OF
Indian guides OF course these conditions nat
urally result In conflicting claims OF title and
Jurisdiction between the settlers and officials on
either side Of the actual or supposed boundary,
and the number of such claims. both individual
and official, Is constantly increasing the nat
ural resources OF the region become better known
and understood.
Indications are not wanting that the interests
of the United States and Its citizens have al
ready suffered account OF the long delay In
fixing and marking the boundary which. accord
ing to Article IL of the Treaty Of 1912, was to
follow the main channels Of the streams and
the middle OF the lakes which formed a chain OF
water communication between Lake Superior
and the Lake Of the Woods. What Is called
Hunters Island Is fair example. This island
Is shown on the accompanying map OF that por-
ton of the boundary line extending from the
east end Of the island to near the western
end Of Rainy Lake. and contains from 500 to
500 square miles of land. The alleged boundary
line. as delineated on the map. runs south OF
Hunters Island and also south OF a smaller
Island. marked A. which is known as Coleman's
Island The claim Of Canada to the latter Is
understood to have been recently abandoned
The map here reproduced Is a certified copy
OF one on file In the General Land Office, which
was published In Philadelphia in 1881 and was
selected for reproduction here because 1t showed
better than any other that could be found the
chain OF water communication which marks that
portion OF the boundary line which in Article |
III Of the Treaty Of 1912 is described run |
ming through Saissaginaga Lake and thence to |
and through Cyrus Lake. Lac du Bots Blanc |
Lac In Croix. Little Vermilllon Lake and Lake |
California Excavations.
UpexceIitd