The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-31
ALASKAN BOUNDARY TREATY.
The Convention Signed by Sir Julian
PauncefOte and Secretary OIney.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-Secretary Olney
and Sir Julian Pauncefote, at IL o'clock to-
day signed the convention for the defini-
ton by commission of so much of the
boundary line between Alaska and the
British possessions as is marked by the
14lst meridian. The treaty will be sent to
the Senate on Monday. The treaty pro-
vides a commission of four members. The
names are not given in the treaty. but will
be agreed on hereafter. The commission
will meet, under the terms of the treaty,
In London or Washington.
The formal name of the treaty is "A
convention between the United States and
Great Britain for the demarkation of the
14lst meridian west logitude, may be
necessary for the determination of the
boundary between their respective posses
sions in North America Its purpose is to
settle beyond doubt the exact location OF
the meridian, and thus prevent the clash
ing between the miners who have been at
tracted in large numbers 20 the vicinity of
the boundary and the local officials Of the
two countries. The meridian named, the
141st, west longitude. was not selected as
the boundary line by Secretary Olney and
Sir Julian Pauncefote, but was laid down
as the line of division in the treaty of ces-
sion by which Alaska was passed by Rus
sa to the United States. The difficulty has
been to tell just where the meridian actual
ly runs, by no means easy task in such
a rough, rugged and snow-bound country
as central Alaska. Even in more hospita-
BILE climes the task of defining physically
such an abstract line aS a meridian Is be-
set with difficulties, SO that ii was matter
of no surprise that in the present case the
claims of the two countries should clash
often. now that the territory is known to
include extensive and valuable gold depos-
it's As laid down on the charts, the mouth
of EnrfN PrQpE Mecca
hunters debouches into the Great Yukon
river just near enough to the meridian TO
cause each side, American and British, to
set up the claim that ii lies in their terri
tor As at present marked, the northern
limit of the meridian which forms the
boundary is at demarkation point about
three hundred miles west of Mackenzie
bay. and the southern extremity close to
Mount St. Elias.
there is no reasonable chance for friction
or a radical difference among the scientists
who are to undertake the work OF laying
down the meridian. as this is mainly an
astronomical calculation. At set distances
points will be established by astronomical
observations and these will be connected
by lines run by surveyors in the usual man
ner; monuments will be erected and the
boundary will be definitely fixed. The
work OF the commissioners will be final,
for appeal will lie from their decision
The treaty does not apply to the boundary
in the southern part of Alaska. 1t is this
southern branch OF the controversy which
tions of territory between the United
States and Great Britain. The main ques-
ton involved is whether the boundary lis TO
be measured from the main land or from
the outer fringe of islands along the coast
1t is a repetition of the old contest over
a closed sea. or mare ciausum, which
brought on the dispute referred TO the fish
cries commission. The rights of the United
States are those ceded from Russia when
the territory was purchased. This boun-
dairy is easily established in the northern
part, and the treaty Just signed viii run
the line along the one-hundred-and-fo forty
first meridian. But the cession from Alas
ka states that the southerly boundary shall
be along'a crest of mourt tairs supposed TO
exist near the coast. and If these are not
rine leagues (thirty miles) from the coast,
until the line reaches the one -hundred-and-
forty-hrSt meridian
About two years ago the United States
and Great Britain made joint effort 10
locate the supposed mountain range. Gen.
w. w. Duffield was named by the United
States as a commissioner and r. w. King
was appointed on the part OF Great Britain.
They organized joint surveying parties.
Their report agreed and is now in the hands
of the secretary of state. Both commits
sioners state that <there is no range OF
mountains along which to run the line. In
this case the only means OF establishing the
line Is by fixing Ii ten marines 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 political
question yet TO be settled as to whether the
ten marine leagues Is TO be from the outer
fringe OF islands or from the main land.
This question involves vast stretch OF
land. valuable for minerals, including gold,
and for its fishing.
So far as the line can be definitely fixed
1t begins 1t The southernmosI point Of