Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-30
Ono Obstacle t,bvlated.

washington, Jan. 29.--One of the oh.
stacles to the ratification by the senate
OF the general arbitration treaty has
been removed In the arrangement by
negotiation of plan for the settlement
Of the Alaskan boundary question. 1r
the course of a day or two, treaty will
be laid before the senate for its action.
which, ratified. will provide the means
for the final settlement of the long.
standing boundary question.
Certain OF the northwestern senators
have secretly opposed the general ar.
bitration treaty, because of a determi.
nation on their part not to have this
boundary question submitted to arbi-
tration. They felt that the territory
was too valuable, since the discovery Of
the great gold deposits there. to chanc.
its loss through any such accident as
the appointment of an European umpire
and their objections We're not overcome
by repeated representations to the effect
that such disputes might be easily ex.
cepted from the operations of the gen
eral treaty. Now, however by the treat.
ment of the Alaskan boundary in a sep.
arate treaty, the whole subject can be
easily removed from the path of the gen.
eral treaty and disposed of in advance
II necessary. This special treaty il
similar in terms to the usual run O.!
such treaties, and provides for the ap.
po;ntment of commission to visit the
country and fix definitely the l1Ott
meridian. which, under the treaty Of ces
sion to the United States, forms the
boundary between that territory and the
British northwest territory.
To Settle Pacific Railroad Debts.
Washington. Jan. ga step TOWARD
feopening the Pacific railroad legislation
In congress was taken yesterday by the
subcommittee of the house committee
on Pacific railroads, which was appoint
ed to consider the bill for commission
to settle the Indebtedness of the roads to
the government. 1t was decided tt
recommend to the full committee the
bill introduced in the senate by Senator
Gear, with amendments, which is prac
tically Mr.. Harrison's plan, and the bill
Will be reported to the house if it is
agreed upon by the full committee, al
the meeting which Chairman Powers
has called for tomorrow.
The commission provided by the bill
is to consist Of the secretaries of The
treasury anu interior, ana the attorney
general and their successors in office
The commission is to be empowered to
take sworn testimony and summon per.
sons and papers. In any settlement it
makes it must reserve to congress the
risht to regulate freight and passenger
rates. Two amendments were adopted
by the subcommittee one requiring the
commission to report to congress one
year after the passage of the bill, the
other providing that the act shall be sub,
ject to amendment or repeal at any time
shall not impair any rights now existing
in favor of the United States or interfere
with or supersede any pending proceed.
inGs in behalf of the United States OF
any other that the president may cleo,
TO prosecute.
The second amendment was proposed
By Representative Patterson (Tenn.)
Representative Hubbard (Mo.), Offered
as q substitute a bill for a separate
settlement OF the SouiX City and Pacific
debts.