New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-22
TO SETTLE OLD DISPUTES.
BRITISH AND UNITED STATES REPRE-
SENTATIvES TO MEET IN QUEBEC.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS LONG IN CONTRO-
VERSY BETWEEN THE TWO COUN-
TRIES TO BE ADJUSTED.

Quebec. Aug. 21.-The first session Of the
United States and Great Britain joint high COM
mission will be held in the Parliament Building.
this city. Tuesday afternoon. A majority of
the Commissioners are now here. but they 90
not expect to do more than take a general sur
vey Of the work and appoint sub-committees at
the first two sessions. The meetings OF the
Commission VIII not be open to the public.
The Commission has ponderous and per
picking task 20 perform Its work is that OF
adjustment and readjustment OF all the most
important questions which have been in contro-
yersy between the United States and Canada
for the last half-century. The Commission is
composed OF sin members from the United
States. four from Canada. one from England
and cne from Newfoundland.
Tn, United States Commissioners are United
States Senator Charles w. Fairbanks. Of Ind
iana chairman: United States Senator George
Cray. Of Delaware: Congressman Nelson Ding
ley OF Maine; General John W. Foster former
Secretary Of State and eY-Minster to Spain,
Russia and Mexico; John A. Kasson. Of Iowa,
former Minister 10 Germany and Austria. and
7. jefferson Coolidge. OF Massachusetts,. former
Minls'c- 10 France.
The Canadian representatives. are Sir Wilfrid
Laurier. Sir Il. J. Cartwright. Sir Louis Davies
and John Charlton. NJ p. Lord Herschell Is
the representative from England. and chairman
OF the British and Canadian delegation. and
Sir james r Writer. Premier OF Newfoundland.
represents the Newfoundland interests.
QUESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED.
The principal questions submitted for tho
consideration Of the Commission are the fol
lowing.
Firsi-The questions in respect to the fur seals
In Behriug Sea and The waters Of the North
Pacific ocean.
OF the Atlantic and Pacnc coasts. and In the
waters Of their common frontier1
Third Provisions for the delimitation and es-
tahiishmenf ~ the Alaska Canadian boundary
by legal and scientific experts II the Commits
sion shall So decide or otherwise.
Fourth-Prov v'sions for the transit Of mer-
chnnd!sr IN transportation 10 OF from either
country. across intermediate territory Of the
other. whether 10y land or water including natu-
raj and artificial waterways and intermediate
transit by sea.
Firth Provisions relating 70 the transit o,
merchandise from one country 10 he delivered
at points IN the other beyond the frontier
sixth The question u the alien labor laws
applicable 20 the citizens % the United states
and ~ Canada
Seventh Mining rights y the citizens of sub
jects II each country within the territory or the
other
TO READJUST CUSTOMS DUTIES.
Eghth-Such Establishments and concessions
as may he deemed mutually advantageous of
customs duties applicable IN each country 70
the products Of the soil or industry ot the other,
upon the tasis of reciprocal equivalents.
Ninth-A revision of tie agreement ot 1911
respecting nava. veseeis - e
Tsnth- Arrangements for the mere complete
definition and marking Of any part of the from
tier line. by land or water. where the same is
now 30 insuncien'ly defined or marked as t.
be liable 20 dispute.
decentralization for tho conveyance for
trial cr pun ,shmcnt ~ persons IN the lawful
custody %, the OH ,ers OF one country through
the territory %, the other.
Twelfth-Ecciprociiy In wrecking and salvage
rights
Other qLcstions concerning the United States
and Canada may be brought before the COM
mission a. the work goes forward. Already
many representatives from the various interests
20 be considered by the commission are here
and eager to present their Views. II will be
impossible however. 10 give general hearings
TO all who may desire TO be heard. Chairman
Fairbanks stated to-day that where large
number ~ men desired 10 DE heard upon ono
question. they would probably BE- asked TO Sc
lect one from their number to present their
areuments to the commission.
All briefs and communications concerning the
work of the commission should be addressed to
Chandler L. Anderson. the commissions sec
retary. who is now In Quebec
WORK IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT.
That the work is TO be important and diihcult
Is Indicated hy the fact that the Commission IL
10 take UP those questions which the inlted
States and Canada have not been able 10 set
tie in ,he past But now in the opinion of Sen
atar Fairbanks there seems TO be disposition
on the part Of England and Canada TO have all
these questions satisfactorily adjusted.
and 90 sar as We are concerned" said Sen
ator Fairbanks "wc shall meet them half way
What disposition will finally be made of the
results Of the Commissions work." he was
asked.
our findings" ne said. win be submitted
in the form Of a treaty for the approval or
the Senate of the United States and OF Great
Britain"
II Is impossible TO say how long the Com
mission Will sit. The United States and Cana
dian members have brought with them an ex-
tenslve equipment Of books. documents and
maps Many OF the maps viii be brought into
use In considering the Alaskan boundaries
which. excepting possibly the sealing and com
,nercial matters will be the most difficult ques-
ton before the Commission.