The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-07

british May Try TO Use Them in the
Alaska Boundary Dispute.


Alaska Boundary Dispute.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.--The officials of
the government are watching with some
interest the attempts Of British Columbian
publications to make it appear that valua-
bic territory in southeastern Alaska is with
in the British possessions. The semi-oficaf
map put out in the British Columbian Year
Book is but one instance of British trickery
to make it appear that such important
points as Juneau, Dyea and Sl.aguay are
within her Majestys territory.
A still more dangerous publication than
the year book has been issued. 1t is an Off
cial map published by the surveyor general
in the Interior Department at Ottawa. This
map has just been received at the coast and
geodetic survey here and has excited some
comment 1t marks no boundary at all be-
tween the United States territory and Brit
ish Columbia south of Mount st. Elias,
where the e-hundred-and-forty- me-
ridian crosses that marks division of
which there is no dispute. South of that
point however, the map makes it appear
that all the territory is in the British pos
sessions. There is a legend written across
the face of this part of the map, reading:
Underlined boundary" 1t requires second
glance, however, TO perceive these words.
Superintendent Pritchett of the coast and
geodetic survey said with regard to the
claim of the Canadians 70 Dyea, Skaguay
and Juneau: I'VE have no notice of any
such claim having been made. 1t probably
arises out of the indefinite marking of the
new map just issued by the surveyor gen.
eral at Ottawa. We do not know officially
that the Canadian government ever in Its
map defined the boundary south of Mount
St. Elias, but the old treaty defining the
English ana Russian possessions IS very
clear in defining the distance this boundary
shall be located from the coast line. The
treaty now pending in the Senate for a joint
survey of the line between Alaska and the
British possessions Will probably put an end
10 this controversy. Our maps are drawn
in accordance with the old treaty. and the
towns mentioned are clearly within United
States territory.
The new official map OF this region is
looked on as another English trick. They
will not acknowledge that there is any de-
fined boundary and in the meantime convey
the impression by their publications that
they own everything clear TO the Pacific
ocean. The coast and geodetic survey has
just completed the most accurate map yet
published Of the Yukon district. Ii shows
the river in all it's detail, with the route
of travel clearly defined to those who wish
To reach the gold fields in that vicinity.
1t shows that at present the ocean vessels
have to go as far up as st. MichaelS. which
Is now the center OF a military reservation,
having u radius of one hundred miles. At
st. Michaels the vessels have to be unload
ed and the cargoeS transferred to lighter
draft boats that can enter the mouths of
the Yukon u long distance south of St
Michael's
The United States survey will have two
parties at work soon the weather
will permit surveying the mouths of the
Yukon in an endeavOr TO find deep-water
channel up that river Such channel has
been reported as existing. and is marked
tentatively on the new map. In case il is
finally located il is expected that ocean
going vessels can go right UP the river for
hundreds of miles before it becomes neces-
sary to transfer cargoes This new map.
taken IN connection with one of southeast
ern Alaska. issued short time ago, gives
the public the two great routes by which
the klondike can be reached. The latter
traversed from Juneau by way of Dyea and
Skaguy up through the chain of lakes and
various rivers until the gold territory is
reached The government officials say that
no notice car be taken of the misleading
maps sent out in Canada unless there is
an official line designated that varies from
that laid out by the treaty. -