The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-09
Kiondike Complications.

II we may judge from the tone of the
Toronto press serious complications be-
tween the governments of the United
States and Canada are likely soon to
arise because Of the rush of gold-seek-
ers to the KlOndike region.
On Friday of last week the senate at
Washington passed a bill giving to
Canadians the right to enter goods at
the American port on the Yukon known
as Fort Wrangel and tranship in bond
upon the following conditions: %
That Canada shall allow all American
miners entering the Yukon to carry
into British American territory, duty
free, half a ton of food, clothing and
outfit to each man: CD that Canadians
shall permit American fishermen to
purchase bait in Canadian ports: go
that Canada shall give charters to
American railways beginning at Dyea
and Skaguay and desiring to build
through Canadian territory; and (D
that Canada issue miners licenses at
points convenient for American citi-
zens.
a clause in the treaty of Washing
ton reads that the navigation of the
Rivers Yukon, Porcupine and Stkine
ascending and descending from. to and
into the sea, shall forever remain free
and ooen for the purpose of commerce
to the subjects Of her Britannia Majesty
and the citizens of the United States.
subject to any laws and regulations of
either country within it's own territory,
not inconsistent with such privilege of
free navigation" 1t was under the
privileges implied in this clause that
the Canadian government originated
what is termed the all-Canadian route
to the Yukon district. This route,
known as the Yukon railway, begins
in Canadian territory about $50 miles
above the mouth of the Stkine river,
tome 90 miles of which, near the mouth.
are in American territory. The Sitkine
river is shallow and there are bars
upon it which prevent deep-laden ocean
craft from passing up the river, so that
it win be necessary to tranship at an
American port, Fort Wrangel, to tighten
from deep-draught vessels to smaller
in the river itself, or to use for part
of the ocean trip light-draught vessels
that can pass up the river.
In the aforementioned case the domin-
ion government, as we learn from an
Ottawa dispatch in the Toronto Globe
holds that the United States cannot
without violating the treaty place any
obstacle In the way Of Canadian trade
The Canadian authorities go further
and claim that the right of navigation
implies, If 1t does not expressly con.
VeS, the right TO land on the banks OF
the river and tighten the cargo where
necessary, always, of course, under
reasonable customs regulations calcu.
lated to prevent the sale of Canadian
goods in American territory without
payment of duty. 1.-The answer of ouI
government TO the remarkable legisla.
tion passed by the senate at Washing
ton, should II receive the president.
sanction, will," says the Globe, "be g
courteous reminder that we intend tC
navigate the Sitkine under the treaty
rights, which give us this privilege fol
ever"
Concerning the conditions imposed In
the aforementioned bill the Globe cor.
respondent says:
There is not a petty South American
state that would allow itself to be held up
N this manner Take the case OF the sup.
alles, The admission free of duty of hall
l9n Of s'Dnlses wonld prohahy a'"@rI