The times., 1899-10-14
THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
a Provisional Alaskan Line Believed
to He Agreed Unon.

10 BE Agreed Upon.
Although no confirmation of the state
ment made by Sir Louis Davies, Canadian
/ Minister of Marine and Fisheries. that he
had given Csnadas consent to the modus
yfyendi establishing a provisional boun-
dary line between Alaska and the British
possessions, thus removing the last obsta-
Gle in the way sef temporary adjustment
of this embarrassing question. has been
received at the State Department, much
qualification is expressed over the probable
outcome of negotiations.
The modus does not affect the principle OF
the boundary controversy and the pro-
sional boundary is to be observed by
both parties until permanent settle
ment is reached thus reducing to mini
mum the chances Of a conflict between the
people in the disputed territory which
might have involved the United States and
Great Britain in attitudes of hostility.
The temporary boundary actually delimi-
ted in the modus is only about seventeen
miles long, but 1t is continued on an
imaginary line less clearly defined to
Chilcoot Pass and White Pass. The boun-
dary by imaginary line and actually de-
fined, Is as follows: From the Canadian
custom houses at the summit or Whlte
Pass and Chilcoot house to point north
of the Indian village of Klukwan, thence
southwark to point mile and ha1
northwest Of Klukwan, thence following
the course OF the Tlehini River to the
junction of the Tlehini with Copper Creek,
thence following the course OF Cooper
Creek south, thence sharply to the west
to nameless mountain peak just to the
southwest OF Daiton's cache.
The imaginary line could not be more
clearly defined on account OF the noun
tain range between White and Chileoct
passes and the point north of the village
of Klukwan.l BY this agreement Great
Britain does not get port In tidewater
or place on a stream leading to tide
water that is navigable even by canoes
or other light draft carriers. The ports
of Dyea and Skaguay remain on the
American side of the line. While the mo-
dus is in force Canada cannot send goods
into the Klondike except through AmerI-
can territory.
While the provisional boundary is a con-
siderable distance to the south of the line
marking the maximum claim of territory
made by the United States that fact does
not mean that the Government has sur
rendered any Of its asserted rights to the
area between the provisional and the
claimed boundaries Ii has been specifi-
cally agreed between the two parties that
the adjustment Of the temporary boundary
is not to be considered as prejudicing the
rights of either Great Britain or the United
States. II such construction should be
cortended by Great Britain, for example,
the United States could without any vio-
lation Of any rule or agreement abrogate
the modus, Immediately, leaving the po-
Sifinn oF zach std
has been up to the arrangement of the
provisional boundary, and as matter of
fact, as 1t is now, for the modus has not
yet been signed.
The ChiIkat River Is left, by the tenn
porary agreement, with the authority or
Great Britain, but that route to the Klon-
dixie cannot be reached without passing
through American territory. Although the
arrangement is perfectly satisfactory to this
Government. for it not only practically as
sures a continuance Of peace between the
rival miners. with all that such condi-
ton MEANS but ii leaves the United States
in possession of every water inlet and out
Let to the KIondike country, retains within
American territory the ports Of Dyea and
Skaguay, one OF which Great Britain want
ed. and at enc time actually claimed. and
gives to the United States the bulk, il
not all. OF the Klondike trade
Secretary Hay is expected here today.
The acceptance Of the modus by the Brit
fsh Government was dependent on the as
sent of Canada, and now that that has
been given, according to Sir Louis Davies,
official notification of the fact will proba-
bly, be telegraphed to the British Embassy
here from the London Foreign Office, and
authority given to Mr.. Tower. the British
Charge d'Affaires, to sign the modus in
behalf Of his Government. Secretary Hay
will sign in behalf of the United States
Granting that Sir Louis Davies has been
correctly quoted the formal signing will
probably take place Immediately after Mr.
Hays return.