The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-11
WHAT D0CANUCKS FEAR?
THEY WILL NOT LET OUR SOLDIERS
ENTER THE KLONDIKE.
Review OF the correspondence he
tween the War Department and
the Dominion Authorities.

WASHINGTON, Feb 10-In view of the
apparent disposition of the Canadian au-
thorities to prevent United States troops
from accompanying the relief expedition
into the gold country, brief review of the
correspondence that has taken place be-
tween the two governments may be in or
der. The negotiations proper started Dec.
80 last between acting Secretary Nickel
john, of the War Department, and Mr.. Sif-
ton, minister of the interior for Canada,
then in Washington. The official report
then was that complete agreement, as it
was understood at the time, was reached
as to the course to be followed by the ex-
petition and its escort. Soon after Mr.. Sif
tons return to Ottawa question arose as
to the free admission of supplies to be
taken in by the government expedition in
case they were to be sold at cost, which
was disposed of by a prompt telegram from
Mr.. Sifton, in answer to Mr.. Meikeljohn,
saying that it was intended 10 charge no
duty on provisions to be sent in. Mr.. Sifton
also reminded Mr.. Meikeljohn of the stipu-
lation between them that no unofficial or
unauthorized persons should accompany the
expedition. TO facilitate free entry he
asked for certified list of the persons and
an inventory of the outfit of the expedition.
In confirmation of this came a note from
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambas-
sador, confirming the statement as to the
free entry of goods, and having this impor-
tant paragraph as bearing on the present
controversy also, that conveys may be
accompanied by such reasonable escort as
the United States government may desire
to provide for them, and each convoy shall
be likewise accompanied by Canadian Of
ticer, the expenses of such Canadian officer
being borne by the Dominion government"
Surprising that this understanding was
perfect, it came as surprise to the War
Department when Mr.. Sifton wrote on Jan.
q that he took it for granted
that the fifty-five enlisted men who
were to accompany the expedition
were not intended to go beyond the
boundary line, which, he Says, lis Irovi-
sionally at the summit of the mountains,
about the middle of the pass" Mr. Sifton
added that the arrangement into which he
had entered was that he should furnish es-
cort for the American expedition, and he
had accordingly sent forward the men for
that purpose. In reply under date of Jan.
81, Mr. Meikejohn SAID that his understand
ing was that the entire escort designated
by our government should accompany the
expedition to its destination as necessary
to render assistance in overcoming antici-
pated difficulties, subject to Canadian law,
and to be accompanied by Canadian Off
Ger. Enlisted men, instead of civilians,
were selected as more available, more
amenable to discipline and costing less. 1t
is proposed to withdraw them after getting
the supplies through. The escort is not re-
garded as a military expedition but on
Canadian soil its service will be of civil
nature. Mr.. Meikeljohn thereupon remind
ed Mr.. Sifton of the agreement with Sir
Julian as to the reasonable escort to be
permitted. He pointed to the conditions
that would confront the expedition if it ar
rived on the Canadian border with supplies
and had to go beyond to meet hungry and
desperate people without single arm for
the protection of the expedition, its sup
plies or equipments. So far no further
communication has been had with the Ca
madam government this subject. The
route to be followed by the expedition is,
therefore, uncertain.