The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-04
ghe auha 1au Eagle aednesaau gaorune august 1897
phcafions between the United States and
England. The claim is regarded by gov

England. The claim is regarded by gov
ernmefit officials here as preposterous.
II is considered unfortunate that the
senate TO which body the boundary ques
ton was brought as the outcome OF
treaty negotiated by Secretary Olney
and Sir Julian Pauncefote. did not place
itself on record in the matter. Before a
vote was taken congress adjourned, SO
that the location of the divisional line
which has been in dispute since 1854. is
no nearer settlement than il has been
al any period during the last thirteen
years.
coast survey, was a member Of the
boundary commission. The survey au-
;horized by it has until recently been
deemed official. In an interview today
General Duifield said:
up 10 1854 both countries were prac-
tically united as TO the boundary line
from Noun. St. Elias to the southeast
According 70 the terms of the treaty be-
tween Russia and Great Britain. the
United States in purchasing Alaska in
1867 acquired all of Russia's rights. II
describing the southeastern boundary,
the Anglo-Russian treaty said:
The line OF demarkation between
the possession OF the high contracting
parties upon the coast of the continen;
and the islands Of America to the north
west shall be drawn in the following
manner:
Commencing from the sou.hernmos.
point OF the island called Prince Of Wales
Island. which point lies in the parallel
of 81 degrees 20 minutes north latitude
and between the 131st degree and the 1880
degree OF west longitude, the same line
shall ascend to the north along the chan
mel called Portland Channel as Far as the
point OF continent, where it strikes the
5Sth degree of north latitude. From this
last point the line of demarkation shall
follow the summit of the mountains sit
uated parallel TO the coast as far as the
point OF intersection of the IA st degree
OF west longitude of the same meridian,
and finally from the said point of inter
section, the said merriam line Of the 14is.
degree in its prolongation as far as the
frozen ocean shall form the limit between
the Russian and British possessions on
the continent Of America to the north
west.
Wherever the summit Of the noun
tains. which extend in a direction par
allel to the coast from the fifty-sixth de-
gree Of latitude TO the point OF intersec-
ton &C the enc hundred and for.y-first
degree Of west longitude, shall prove 10
be at a distance of more that ten ma
riIe leagues from the ocean. the limit
between the British possessions and the
line of coast which is 10 belong TO Russia
as aoove mentioned, shall be formed by
a lire parallel TO the winding OF the
coast and which shall never exceed the
distance os ten marine leagues there
from
''On all maps from 1875 down to 1884
the boundary line had been shown as
in general terms parallel TO the winding
Of the coast and 35 miles from it. In
1884, however, an official Canadian map
showed a marked DETECTION in this line
at its south end. Instead of passing up
Portland Channel, this Canadian map
showed the boundary as passing up
Benin Channel, an arm of the sea. 60 or
20 miles west Of Portland Channel, this
change having been made on the bare
assertion that the words Portland Chan |
nel.' as inserted. were erroneous. BY this |
change in the line an erea of American !
territory about equal in size to the state |
OF Connecticut was transferred 20 Brit !
ISL territory.
There are three facts which go to |
show that this map was incorrect. In /
the first place, the British admiralty |
British Columbian possessions in 1868 af- |
ter the cession of Alaska surveyed Port I
land Channel and not Benin Channel, and /
thus by implication admitted this chan
mel TO be the boundary line. Second,
the region now claimed by British Co |
umbia was a. that time occupied az a
military post Of the United States, with
out objection or protest on the part OF |
British Columbia. Third, Annette Is
and IN This region was by act Of con-
gress four years ago set apart as res
ervation for the use of the Melak;ala In
1ians, who sought asylum under the
American flag 10 escape annoyances ex-
oerinenced under the British flag.
Another change was made at Lynn
the northern-most extension OF
he Alexander Archipelago, which runs
north OF Juneau and is the and outlet
'or the Yukon trade. The official Cana
1ian map Of 1854 carried the boundary
inc around the head OF this channel.
Another Canadian map three years later
carried the line across the htad OF the
channel in such a manner as to throw
is head waters into British territory.
'St;ll later Canadian maps carry the line
lot across the head of the channel but
cross near its mouth 80 or 20 miles south
Il the former line, in such q way as TO
practically take in Juneau. or at least all
and Immediately back OF IL. And the very I
attest Canadian map. published at Ottawa
within few days, while IL runs no line a,
III southeast OF Alaska, prints the legend /
British Columbia over portions Of the
lynn Channel which are now administered
" the United States"
a recent report OF the United surveyors
S 10 the boundary line in this reg!ous sad:
I'm substances. these determinations
brow the diggrgs AT the mouth OF Forty
i:le creek within the territory OF the Unit
d States. The whole valley OF Birch
reek. another most valuable goli-proiuc-
ng part OF the country. also is in the Unit
q Sta.es. Most o. ;he gold Is 70 the west
( the crossing OF the last meridian q.
creek II we produce the Iiis;
meridian on a chart. the mouth OF Niiler's
reek. a tributary OF SixJy-Mile creek and
valuable gold region. is five miles NEST
\ an air lre or seven miles according 10
re win6ing OF the stream-ai within the
er-itory Of the United States. In sub
lance, the only places in The Yukon region
where sold in quantity has ben found
therefore, are all 10 the west OF the boun-