New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-21
HIGH COMlTSSION ADJOTRNS.
TO MEET AGAIN IN QUEBEC on AU-
GUST Q
GOOD PROGRESS MADE TOWARD SETTLING
MANY IMPORTANT QUEsTIONS-ALAs-
KAN BOUNDARY A STUN
r~-~.- OrK
BLING-BLOCK


KAN BOUNDARY A STUN
BLING-BLOCK
Washington. Feb. 20-The Anglo American
Joint High Commission after a session to-day.
adjourned TO meet at Quebec on August 2. un-
less the chairmen Of the respective Commissions
aPree on another date. The Commission be-
San its labors nearly six months ago. in Can
ada. and has with the exception Of probably a
month been earnestly az work endeavoring 10
accomplish the object for which It was appoint
ed-an agreement with view TO the formulation
Of a treaty covering the many perplexing ques-
tions OF difference affecting the business inter-
ests of the United States and Canada existing
between them. There were several reasons
which prompted the action taken to-day
From a statement made public with the sane
ton OF the two Commissions II appears there
were serious differences Of opinion between them
regarding the important matter Of the delmita-
ton Of the Alaskan boundary. the Canadians
being anxious to obtain seaport on the Lynn
Canal so that Canadian shippers would not be
subjected 70 the petty annoyances which they
asserted they experienced at the hands OF United
States officials Then the time for the meeting
of the Canadian Parliament, at which the pres
ence Of members Of the Commission from that
anxious 10 return as soon as possible. II also
became apparent that there was little Likelihood
Of the possibility OF ratification by the United
States Senate at its present session OF any treaty
which might be framed and this also proDaD'y
figured in the decision 10 adjourn.
A dozen important questions were referred to
the Commission for It's consideration, and the
Commissioners assert that substantial progress
1ircr u
them has been made. Probably those which
have given the most serious trouble and proved
a stumbling block 70 final agreement on all
have been the two relating TO lumber and the
Alaskan boundary question. on both Of which
the Canadians have demanded concessions
which the Americans felt It would be preju-
dlcal 20 the best interests Of the United States
10 grant Il was felt also that an adjournment
FOR a few months might result in q better pros
pect for harmony and a disposition on the part
Of the Canadians to agree 10 propositions made
to them from the Commissioners on this side Of
the boundary line.
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED.
Senator Fairbanks the chairman Of the
American Commission has repeatedly said that
there was no basis for the reports of a rupture
IN the relations of the two bodies. and tonight
he supplemented this by saying that they were
on the best OF terms on behalf ot their re-
spective Commissions Senator Fairbanks. the
chairman Of the American body. and Sir Will
frd Laurler. acting chairman in the absence OF
Lord Herschel Of the Canadian body. who is
Ill., made the following public statement respect
ing the action taken to-day:
The Commission adjourned 70 meet az Quebec
on August . Unless the chairmen Of the respec-
fha~
date
The Commission has made very substantial
rrozress in the settlement and adjustment Of
many Of the questions upon which {; has been
earnestly engaged. But It has been unable 70
agree upon the settlement n the Alaskan boun-
dairy This problem has been q complicated and
difficult one. but the Commissioners. acting In
the utmost frierdl.ness and cordiality. have been
unable 70 agree upon a satisfactory adjustment.
The difficulties apart from the immediate de-
limitation u this boundary by the Commission
itself arise from the conditions under which
Fl might be referred 20 arbitration. The Brit
ism Commissioners desired that the whole ques
ton should he referred on terms similar 70 those
prOvlfe I'd in the reference II the Venezuelan
boundary line. and which by providing an UNI
pire. would insure certainty and tn2lity. The
United states Commissioners on the othe; hanc'
thought the local conditions IN Alaska 50 diIer-
ert that some mobilization of the Venezuela
boundary reference should be introduced. They
thought the reference should be made to SIX emf
nert furists. three chosen by each Of the high
contracting parties without providing Tor an
umpire they believing that fnality would be
secured by a majority vote Of tie jursts SO
chosen.
They ala not any present prospect ~
agreeing 20 a European umpire % oe selected
in the manner proposed hy the British COM
rissioners. while the British Commlssioners
We're unwilling 20 agree 70 the selection = an
American umpire ln the manner suggested nv
the United States Commissioners. The United
states Commissioners further contended that
special stipulatons should be made In any
reference 70 arbitration that the existing settle
uenrs on the tidewaters OF the coast should
IN any event continue 70 belong 20 the United
states To this contention the British Com
nlssioners refused 70 agree.
II was therefore deemed advisable 70 adjourn
70 q convenient date, IN order 70 enable the re-
erectfva Governments 70 consider the subject
further with respect 70 which no conclusion
has YET been reached.