The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-10
Chamber of Commerce Advises
Against Paying Them.
LETTER TO SEC. SHERMAN
Effort to Add to Brisain's Domain by
nett viii Fail-ren Leagues From
th~ Coast L. the Ltmft-Command de r
and Lights for the Yukon River,

The correspondence created by the COM
nsnlcaiion from Arthur c. Van Doren.
d; Dyea, In which the subject OF Cana
dian collection of duties In American ter
ritory was stated. and the correspondence
On the buoying and lighting at the
mouth OF the Yukon, were the matters Of
greatest importance brought up at yes
ferday's meeting OF the board of trustees
Of the Chamber OF Commerce. The state
nen;s contained ia Mr.. Van Dorsn's let
ter. printed a week ago In the Post-Intel-
LgeEcsr, have attracted wide attention
from their International Importance and
the fact that the Seattle Chamber Of Com
merce has taken the correspondence ND
with the washington delegation in con-
gress has been sent all over the country
Copies OF Mr.. Van Doren's letter and
clippings from the Post-InteiIigencer OF
later date In which L. G. Branson cor
yoborated the statement regarding the oc-
cupaDcy Of the land az Lake Bennett BY
the Canadians have been forwarded 10
Secretary Sherman and to the senators
and congressman from this state The
chamber BY its acting secretary Mir.
Thomas Prosch. aiso addressed a letter
10 Mr.. Van Doren at Dyea. of which the
following Is a copy.
Don's Pay Duty.
your letter Of January q was placed be-
fore the Chamber OF Commerce today II
received marked attention; may almost
say created sensation. THE Idea Of every
man iresent was that. apon your presenta-
b wrong for you TO pay duties TO the
Ganadian officers and government The
ten marine leagues of the coast The
claim has In the past been recognized by
The British. imperial authorities. by the
Dominion OF Canada and by the provincial
government OF British Columbia.
The dispute rs 10 the location Of the ltae
! q recent date, and has YET hardly
reached the cities of London and Washing
ton. tuiN II does. and until our govern
ment gives way - far as 20 admit that
there Ii ground for contention. ard pro-
vides for Joint occupancy. the territory
within ten marine leagues Is solely and ex-
clusively that OF the United States, There
r. nothing. however. TO prevent Canadian
Officers from dwelling upon The land and
from doing business upon II. any more than
taefe is 70 prevent any other foreigner In
private life. but they Will be there only by
eufferance and without power 10 monopo-
lze the lands and enforce their official
aets. You need have no apprehension or
their infilciing upon your business any in
Jury. and they VIII practice upon you no
coercion that yoa strongly and steadfastly
resist
"in early days we had in Washington
territory similar situation. Prior 10 june
Is 1886 Great Britain and the United
States both claimed the entire territory.
then Oregon. Ships came and went with
cut hindrance or cost. Goods were landed
try or duty. II WAS fand In dispute, and
both nations agreed 10 practice no official
anqs9n hnr ana 70 r nn III, snos rg psone 10
tied II finally ended In favor OF the
United States. when the laws Of the latter
were n once put IN foree and Great Britain
retired from the field. That is. the greater
part of the field was abandoned in accord
Rnce with the treaty but no; the whole OF
r. The British ssii claimed and attempted
To hold the Islands OF he Hare archipelago
After number Of yeans they relinauished
all but San Juan. and from iSSs 90 is12 that
period neither the United States nor Great
Britain exercised upon the island any but
military and postal functions. There WAS
absolutely free trade. Residents imported
from Victoria or Puget sound without;
4 WAS every mans land, hat no nations.
The Emperor William settled the question
OF owne rShip IN favor of the United states
since which time the laws OF cur country
have been enforced just as IN any other
part OF tho American domain.
1.-The situation In Alaska Is somewhat
similar. About the only difference s that
the British have In the past repeatedly and
fer a 9",p3rsd years rscognizssd the right,
States. 10 the lapd you refer 80. and their
present contention Is only the suit Of
recent thought or Of a recent desire TO ada
80 their national domain at the expense Of
the United States. That the effort viii
fan this body and We personally have no
Considering all things we have no hes
ilaiion IN advising you 90 pay no duties to
Of tho coast. Further, am directed 70 ten
You thar the matter viii ~ placed before
Tire goFs rnment ~ Washington tety. |
may also add that committee Of tive
metnbers has been appointed 20 whom your
letter has been referred for further con
siaeration"
'InclaSet and a copy Of a letter frcsn
Arthur c. Van Doren. Mr. Van Doren Tor
over two YEARS past has been resident ~
Alaska. Prior 70 that time he lived in Sc
4Iite and was secretary cf the Chamber OF
Commerce lie Is known 10 Us and
have condolences In his statements Mr. Van
norsn VIII b. advised bN this chamber 20
ray no duties 20 Canadians in the terri
tory within ten marine leagues Of the
coaat In the Interest OF our own country
and Of oar own people. We DO not want %
Rave him o. other Americans I'm the dir
puied district molestsd and trust that
You and our other Representatives a. tire
ard their henslf"
Letter to sherman.
our attention ia respectfully called "a
ne letter incicSed from Arthur & Van
poten dated pvea Alaska. January n
aad also 70 ceny az the reply letter - this
thzmher dated this dax Nj Van D1rea
= an fN-rs~58ent ~ Seattle where he &c
Vel known and who're niS statements are
.ehN'd@rvd worthy ~ entire cresience
- : oriy enc ~ several Ike eases ~
sai'A one - mere may have sre this heea
hForEef before yea. Ore ~ ~. first Of
these cases is that Of Mr. Willis Thorn
also Hn eN-resfHouf ~ this city from
wAon hrsateHtnE demand was made hy
.hs Canadian authorities for dsatfps on a
lafse seek 80 meats held bv him A; about
NE place rVfeTFed 20 hv Mr. Nan porsr
-. hc0 HIh ard as A mind Enclosure 3
tiip23ns from sbe Seattle Pasf-InteIlixsu-
~ a.son "h'eh appears letter from FoFt
~ ~>>&~~>> 80