The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-06-10
HOUSTON, SATURDAY. JUNE 10, $500.
TEN PAGES TODAY.
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY QUESTION


For several days past It has been in
timated by the press dispatches that some
trouble of a serious nature might arise
between Great Britain and th7 United
States over the unsettled boundary lines
delimi;ing the frontiers of the two coun-
tries in Alaska.
1t has been question ever since the
purchase by this country of the Territory
of Alaska from Russia as to where the
dividing line existed. The Domtt.4on Of
Canada has contended for one boundary
and the United States for another Two
or three important towns are involved in
the dispute and some valuable mining
country. The riches recently discovered in
the Klondike, which is really the terri
tory in question, have added a new inter-
est to tbs matter and created a feeling
in the premises that otherwise would not
have arisen.
Two years ago this issue would have
been dangerous. ii it had come up in it's
present form There was then that same
old jealousy, animosity and Irritating tric-
ton in our relations. with England that
had existed for a hundred years Now.
happily, we see both countries viewing
the issue in conservative manner and ex-
pressing a willingness to submit the ques
ton TO arbitration, without any undue ex-
element Even the yellow press of both
nations seem disposed to keep cool under
the circumstances and advise fair in
vestigation by arbitrators.
This fact is significant in more respects
than one. II demonstrates unmstakably
in the ilrst place that the "rapproachment
which was heralded during the Spanish
American war between America and Great
Britain was a reality--that the great Eng
lish speaking peoples have actually got
together" It also shows that both the
Americans and the British at last recognize
the fact that they can not afford TO settle
their differences in any other way than
by arbitrstion-~that strip of territory is
of far less consequence to either than mu =
tual good viii and a continued friendly
understanding.
In the phenomenal development OF the
past two or three years of our foreign
trade, Great Britain and its dependencies
have been by far our best customers.
over 90 per cent of our exports go to the
British empire' Any rupture of our AMIGA
BILE relations with Great Britain would be
the costliest commercial catastrophe that
could happen TO us. At the same time any
considerable cessation OF our trade with the
British people would come nearer reducing
them to suffering than any trouble they
could have with any other nation. Aside,
therefore from sentmen: and the com
paratively trivial character of the matter
In dispute the highest dictates OF business
foresight and wise National policy suggest
that neither power should become upduly
exercised over the Alaskan boundary.
N agreeing, therefore. to mo-
aus vivendi until arbitration can
hnally settle the issue. the Brit
ish ard American governments are not
Only conserving their own best interests
ana discrediting any foolish purpose nv M.
people OF press of either side to arouse
III feeling or International excitement hut
are setting an admirable example lust now
TO the peace conference at The Haera 4,
the direction of the settlement Of interr,
uonal disputes by other means tba, 60.