The evening times., 1899-10-20
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY
Great Britain Approves of the
M0dus Vivendi.
A Provisional Line Between Cana
dian and American Territory De-
fned-Text of the Agreement En-
tered Into With the United States.
Marking Officers 10 Be Appointed.

The text of the modus viysndi between
the United States and Great Britain es-
tablishing boundary lines between Canada
and Alaska, was made public at the State
Department today. Mr.. Reginald Tower.
Charge dAffaires of the British Embassy,
called at the State Department this morn
ing to present the formal note in reply to
the one handed to him by Mr.. Hay yester-
day. Under the agreement the United
States is possessed of the whole valley OF
Porcupine Creek, which was the territory
in dispute. The agreement follows the
precedent established by Secretary Evarts
in 1873 in agreeing upon a temporary
boundary on the Stikine River in Alaska,
by an exchange of notes.
Under the modus vivendi the line on the
Chilkat River is twenty-five and one-quar-
ter statute miles from the head OF naviga-
tion on Chilkat Inlet of Lynn Canal, and
on the Klehini River twelve statute miles
further in, and the whole valley of Por-
cupine Creek is included within the
American line. On White and Chilkoot
Passes the line is fixed at the summit, or
watershed, being the points which have
for some time past been observed by the
customs authorities of the two countries.
On the Dyea and Skagway trails the line
agreed upon is marked by the SUBMITS OF
Chilkoot and White Passes. The follow
ing is the text of the agreement:
1t is hereby agreed between the Gov
ernments of the United States and OF
Great Britain that the boundary line be-
tween Canada and the Territory of Alaska
in the region about the head of Lynn
Canal shall be Professionally fixed without
prejudice 10 the claims of either party in
the permanent adjustment OF the inter-
national boundary, as follows:
In the region of the Dalton trail.
line beginning at the Peak west OF Porcu-
pine Greek. marked on the map No. 10. OF
the United States Commission December
81, 1895, and on sheet No. Is of the Brit
ish Commission. December 3E 1898, with
the number $500; thence running TO the
KIehini tor Klaheela1 river in the direc-
ton of the Peak north of that river, mark
ed SEQ on the aforesaid United States
nap and 5025 on the aforesaid British
map; thence following the higa or nght
bank of the said Kiehini River TO the
junction thereof with the Chilkat River, a
mile and half, more or less, north OF
Klukwan-provided, that persons proceed
ing to or from Porcupine Creek
shall be freely permitted to follow
the trail between the said creek
and tee said junction of the rivers,
dian side of the temporary line wherever
the trail crosses TO such side, and. subject
TO such reasonable regulations for the pro-
lection of the revenue as the Canadian gov
ernment may prescribe. to carry with them
over such part or parts OF the trail be
tween the said points as may lie on the
Canadian side of the temporary line, such
goods and articles as they desire without
being required to pay any customs duties
on such goods and articles; and from said
junction TO the summit OF the peak east OF
the Chilkat river. marked on the aforesaid
map No. 10 of the United States Com
mission with the number $40, and on the
map number IL, of the aforesaid British
commission with the number 5.490.
ION the Dyea and Skagway trails the
SUBMITS of the Chilkoot and White
passes il is understood, as formerly set
forth in communications of the Department
of State of the Unitetd States that the
citizens or subjects of either power found
by this arrangement within the temporary
jurisdiction of the other. shall suffer 70
diminution of the rights and privileges
which they now enjoy.
The Government of the United States
will at once appoint an officer or officers in
conjunction with an officer or officers to
be named by the government of Her Britain
mic Majesty. to mark the temporary line
agreed upon by the erection of posts.
stakes, or other appropriate temporary
marks"