The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1899-12-08
GREAT BRITAIN AND CANADA.
Alaska boundary Contention and
other Unsettled Questions.

Alaska boundary Contention and
other Unsettled Questions.
In my last annual message, I referred to
the pending negotiations with Great Brit
ain in respect to the Dominion of Canada.
BY means of an executive agreement,
ioint high commission had been created
for the purpose of adjusting all unsettled
questions between the United States and
Canada, embracing u subjects, among
which were the questions Of the fur seals,
the fisheries of the coast and contiguous
inland waters the Alaska boundary. the
transit of merchandise in bond, the allen
labor laws, mining rights, reciprocity In
trade, revision of the agreement respect
ing naval vessels in the Great Lakes, a
mora complete marking of parts of the
boundary, provision for the conveyance Of
criminals, and for wrecking and salvage.
Much progress had been made by the
commission toward the adjustment of
many of these questions when 1t became
apparent that an irreconcllable difference
of views was entertained respecting the
dellmitation of the Alaska boundary. In
the failure of an agreement to the mean
ing of articles iii and iv OF the treaty Of
1925 between Russia and Great Britain.
which defined the boundary between Alas
ka and Canada, the American commission
ers proposed that the subject of the
boundary be laid aside, and that the re-
naming questions Of difference be pro-
ceeded with some of which were so far
advanced as to assure the probability of
settlement. This being declined by the
British commissioners, an adjournment
was taken until the boundary should be
adjusted by the two governments. The
subject has been receiving the careful at
tention which it's Importance demands,
- ~. H.. n Es.a
provisional demarkations~ in the region
about the head of Lynn canal has been
agreed upon, and It is hoped that the
negotiations now in progress between the
two governments will end in an agree
ment for the establishment and delimita-
ton of permanent boundary.
Attitude I'm AngIO-BOer War.
Apart from these questions growing out
of our relationship with our northern
nelghbor, the most friendly disposition
and ready agreement have marked the
discussion of the numerous matters aris-
ing in the vast and intimate intercourse
of the United States with Great Britain.
This government has maintained an atti-
tude of neutrality in the unfortunate con-
test between Great Britain and the Boer
states of Africa. We have remained
faithful to the precept of avoiding en-
tangling alliances as to affairs not of our
own direct concern. Had circumst tances
suggested that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kind expression
OF the hope of the American people that
/ the war might be averted, good offices
/ would have been gladly rendered. The
United States representative at Pretoria
was early Instructed to see that all neutral
! American interests be respected by the
! combatants. This has been an easy task,
/ in view OF the positive declarations OF
both British and Boer authorities that the
4 personal and property rights of our citi'
zens should be observed.
Upon the withdrawal of the British
agent from Pretoria, the United States
cons II was authorized, upon the request
of the British government, and with the
assent of the South African and Orange
Free State governments to exercise the
customary good offices of a neutral fol
the care Of British interests. In the dis
charge of this function l am happy to say
that abundant opportunity has been af
forded to show the impartiality of thi'
( government to both the combatants fol
the fourth time in the present decade.