The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-31
And the Trouble Over Bound-
ary Dispute Settled.
ON ASTRONOMICAL BASIS
THE TREATY ADJUSTING ALAS
KAN MATTERS SIGNED.
MINERS CAN MINE ON
And the Two Great Countries Can
POSSESSES Their Souls in Peace
For While at Least.

Washington, Jan. 30.-Secretary Oiney
and SIR Julian Pauncefote to-day slghed
4he convention for the definition by coln-
mission of 50 much of the boundary Eae
between Alaska and the British possess
eons as rs marked by the l4ist MeTl-
dan. The treaty will be sent 10 bne Sen
ate on Monday. Its outlines already nave
been f9recasted exclusively by the Asso-
GATED Press.
Its u.asose Is to settle beyond doubt
the exact location of the meridan ana
thus Drayent the clashing between 1lle
n,ineu,s who have been attracted IN large
numbers TO the vicinity of the boundary
and the local officials of the two coun-
tries. The meridan named, the l4lst
west longitude was not selected as the
boundary line by SECRETARY Olney and
Sir Julian pauncefote, but was lain
down as the line of division in the treaty
OF session by which Alaska was passed
nv Russia to the United States. The dtf-
fculty has been to tel just where the
meridian actually runs, by no means an
easy task in such a rough, ragged and
enowbound country as central Alaska.
AS laid down ON the charters the
month of Forty Mile Greek, the Mecca Of
the gold hunters, debouches into the great
Yukon river just near enough to the mer-
idan to cause each side, American and
British TO set up the claim that It Ees
I'M their territory.
TT j. stated at the State Department
that there is no reasonable chance Tor
srict;on or a radical difference among
the scientists who are to undertake une
work of laying down the meridian, as inns
is mainly an astronomical calcu& non. AS
set distance points wall ne estaDilSied
by astronomical observations and nnese
will be connected by lines run by survey
eors i'm the usual manner; monuments VIII
be erected and the boundary will be def
nately fixed. The work of the commits
sion will be final for no appeal will lie
from their decision.
The treaty just signed does not apply
to the boundary in the southern part or
Alaska, but only to that Of the l4lst me-
ridian. readily fixed by astronomical OBJ
.seryations in the northern part Of Alaska
1t is the southern branch of the contro-
yersy which presents serious difficulties.
involving questions Of territory between
the United States and Great Britain.
The main point involved is whether the
boundary is to be measured from the
mainland or from the outer fringe of is
lands along the coast. II is a repetition
of the old contest over a closed sea or
mare clausum, which brought on the dis
pute referred to the Fisheries Commis-
sion.
The rights of the United States are
those ceded from Prussia when the terri
tory was purchased. The boundary is
easily established in the northern part,
and the treaty just signed will run the
line alvng the 141st meridian. But the
cession from Alaska states that the south
ern boundary shall be along crest Of
mountains supposed to exist near the
coast. and if these are not located, then
the boundary is to be ten marine leagues
$40 miles) from the coast until the line
reaches the 141st meridian.
About two years ago the United States
and Great Britain made joint effort to
locate the supposed mountain range.
General W. w. Duffield was named by
the United States as commissioner, and
r. w King was appointed on the part Of
Great Britain. They organized joint
surveying parties. Their report agreed
end is now in the hands Of the Secretary
of State. Both commissioners state that
there is no range OF mountains along
which to run the line. In TINS case the
only means Of establishing the line is By
fixing it ten marine leagues from the
coast The report Of the two commits
sioners does NOT say where this would To-
cate the line, but merely submits a survey
of the entire country, leaving the polit-
ical question yet to be settled as to
whether the ten marine leagues is to be
from the outer fringe of islands, or from
the mainland This question involves
vast stretch Of land, valuable for miner
ais, including gold, and for its fishing.