Evening star., 1897-07-30
Wants to Share the Possession Of
Alaskan Gold Fields.
MAY give Rise TO COMPLICATIONS
Statement by the Superintendent
Of Coast and Geodetic Survey.
THE TRUE LINES DEFINED

amount of public attention for some time
to come, If, indeed, 1t does not become
vital question and give rise to diplomatic
complications between the United States
and England. The claim is regarded by
government officials here as preposterous.
1t is considered unfortunate that the Sem
ate, before which body the boundary ques-
tion was brought the outcome of
treaty negotiated by Secretary Olney and
Sir Julian Pauncefote. did not place itself
on record on the matter. Before vote
was taken Congress adjourned, that
the location of the divisional line, which
has been in dispute since 1884, is no nearer
settlement than it has been at any period
during the past thirteen years. -
Gen. Duffield, superintendent of the coast
and geodetic survey, was a member of the
boundary commission. The survey author
lied by 1t has until recently been deemed
official and correct by both countries. In
talking with Star reporter today Gen.
Duffield said:
up to 1884 both countries were prac-
tically united as to the boundary line from
Mount Saint Elias to the southeast. Ac
cording to the terms of the treaty between
Russia and Great Britain, the United States
in purchasing Alaska in 1867 acquired all
OF Russia's rights. In describing the south
eastern boundary, the Anglo-Russian treaty
read:
1.-The line of demarkation between the
possession of the high contracting parties
upon the coast of the continent and the is
lands of America to the northwest shall
be drawn in the following manner:
The Outlines.
Commencing from the southernmost
point of the island called Prince of Wales
Island, which point lies in the parallel Of 81
degrees 10 minutes north latitude, and be-
tween the 13lst degree and the 133d degree
of west longitude, the same line shall as
cend to the north along the channel called
Portland channel, as far as the point OF
the continent where it strikes the 56th de-
gree of north latitude. From this last mem
toned point the line of demarkation shall
follow the summit of the mountains situ-
ated parallel to the coast as far as the
point of intersection of the 141st degree OF
west longitude of the same meridian, and
finally from the said point of intersection
the said meridian line of the 141st degree,
in its prolongation far as the frozen
ocean, shall form sthe limit between the
Russian and British possessions on the con-
tinent OF America to the northwest.
Wherever the summit Of the mountains,
which extend in a direc ton parallel to the
coast from the seth degree of north latf-
tude to the point of intersection of
the 141st degree of west longitude.
shall prove to be at distance of
more than ten marine leagues from the
ocean. the limit between the British pos
sessions and the line of coast which is to
belong to Russia. as above mentioned shall
be formed by line parallel to the winding
of the coast and which shall never exceed
the distance of ten marine leagues there
from
The Recognised boundary.
ION all maps from 1925 down to 1884
the boundary line had been shown as in
general terms parallel to the winding of the
coast and thirty-fve 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 canal
this Canadian map showed the boundary
as passing up Behm canal, an arm of the
sea some sixty or seventy miles west of
Portland canal, this change having been
made on the bare assertion that the words
Portland canal as inserted were errone-
GUS. By this change the line and an area
of American territory about equal in size
to the state of Connecticut was transferred
to British territory. There three facts
which go to show that this map was incor-
rect In the first place, the British ad-
miralty, when usrveying the northern limit
of the British Columbian possessions in
1868, one year after the ceSsion of Alaska,
surveyed Portland canal and not Benin ca
nal, and thus. by implication, admitted this
canal the boundary line. Second, the
region now claimed by British Columbia
was at that time occupied a military
post of the United States without obiec-
tion or protest on the part of British Co
lumbia- Third, Annette Island in this
region was by act Of Congress four years
ago set apart as reservation for the use
of the Metlaktala Indians, who sought
asylum under the American flag to escape
annoyances experienced under the British
flag.
Stalking Off a "Claim."
Another change was made at Lynn
canal, the northernmost extension of the
Alexander Archipelago, which runs north
of Juneau. and is the land outlet for the
Yukon trade The official Canadian map
of 1884 carried the boundary line around
the head of this canal. Another Canadian
map three years later carried the line
across the head of the canal in such
manner as to throw its headquarters into
British territory. Still later Canadian
maps carry the line, not across the head
OF the canal, but across near it's mouth.
some sixty or seventy miles south of the
former line. in such way as to practi- |
caliy take in Juneau. or at least all over
land Immediately back of it. And the.yery
latest Canadian map. published at Ottawa
within few days. while it runs no line at |
all southeast OF Alaska, prints the legend
British Columbia over portions of the
Lynn canal which are now administered
by the United States"
United States Survey.
A recent report Of United States sur
veyors as to the boundary line in this re-
gion said: |
I'm substance. these determinations to
throw the digg1ngs at the mouth of Forty |
Mile creek within the territory of the !
United States. The whole valley of Birch |
creek, another most valuable gold-produc-
ing part Of the country. is also in the |
United States. Most of the gold is to the |
west of the crossing of the 141st meridian |
at Forty Mile creek. II we produce the
14ist meridian on chart the mouth of
Millers creek, a tributary of Sixty Mile
creek, and a valuable gold region, is five
miles west in an air line. or seven miles
according to the winding of the stream
all within the territory of the United
States. In substance, the only places in
the Yukon region where gold in quantity
has been found are therefore all to the
west Of the boundary line between CAM
ada and the United States"
It can readily be seen that the claim
OF the United States Is directly opposed
to that of the Canadians. 1t Is true that
the arbitration of the Hist meridian was
favored by the United States surveyors
but some OF them were angered at the
claims Of tho English with regard to Lynn
creek and the whole southeastern boun.
dary, AND oppressed the belief that tho
United States would ref,lse to erbitrate
this portion OF the. bsan0ary. ss