The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-21
Canadian and American Commits
SionerS Adjourn Until August.
REACHED NO AGREEMENT
DIFFERENCES OVER ALASKAN
BOUNDARY QUESTION.
Commissioners Believe There viii Be
Better Prospects of Agreement
When Negotiations Are Resumed
Difference Arose Over Methods
Of Adjusting Boundary Dispute.

Washington, Feb. 20-The American
Canadian joint high commission, after
a session today, adjourned TO meet at
Quebec Aug ?, unless the chairmen Of
the respective commissions agree upon
another date. There were several rea-
sons which prompted the action taken
today. From statement made public
with the sanction of the two commits
slons, II appears there were serious diff
1erenceS OF opinion between them re-
gardins the important matter of the
dellmitation of the Alaskan boundary.
the Canadians n this connection being
anxious to obtain a seaport in Lynn
cahaI, so that its shippers would not
De subjected TO the petty annoyanceS
which they assert they experienced at
the hands of United States officials.
Then the time for the meeting of the
Canadian parliament, at which the
presence of members Of the commission
from that country is desired, is over
due, and the latter are anxious to re-
turn as soon as possible. 1t also be-
came apparent that there was little
likelihood of the ratification by the
United States senate at its present ses-
sion of any treaty which might be
framed, which also probably figures in
the decision to adjourn.
A dozen important questions were re-
ferred to the commission for it's con-
sideratiOn, and the commissioners as
sert that substantial progress in the
settlement and adjustment OF many of
the questions has been made. PrOba-
bly, those which have given the most
serious trouble and proved a stumbling
block To a final agreement on all have
been the two relating TO lumber and
the Alaskan boundary question, on
both Of which the Canadians have de-
manded concessions which the Ameri-
cans fel it would be prejudicial to the
best interests of the United States to
grant. 1t was felt also that an ad-
journment for a few months might re-
suit in better prospect for harmony
and disposition on the part of the
Canadians TO agree to propositions
made TO them from the commissioners
on this side of the boundary line
Senator Fairbanks, the chairman Of
the American commission. has repeated
ly stated that there was no basis for
the reports of a rupture in the relations
of the TWO bodies, and tonight supple
mented this by saying that they were
on the best of terms.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
On behalf of their respective com
missions. Senator Fairbanks, the chair
man of the American board, and Sir
Wilfrid Laurier, acting chairman in the
absence of Lord Herscheil, who is i'll,
Of the Canadian board. made the fol-
lowing public statement respecting the
action taken today:
The commission adjourned to meet
at Quebec Aug. >. unless the chairmen
Of the respective commissions shall
agree upon another date.
The commission has made very sub
sta1tiai progress in the settlement and
adjustment of many of the questions
upon which it has been earnestly en-
gagged But it has been unable to agree
upon the settlement Of the Alaskan
boundary. This problem has been
and difficult. but the COM
acting in the utmost friendh-
ness and cOrdiality, have been unable
to agree upon a satisfactory adjust.
nent.
The difficulties apart from the imme-
late ILLUMINATION of this boundary by
he commission itself arise from, the
conditions under which it might be re-
'erred to arbitration. The British COM
nissiOnerS desired that the whole queS-
ion should be referred on terms SINH
ar to those provided in the reference
# the Venezuela boundary line, and
which. by providing an umpire, would
insure certainty and hnality. The Unit
d States commissioners, on the other
land, thought the local conditions in
Alaska so different that some mOdifica-
ions of the Venezuela boundary refer
nee should be introduced They thought
he reference should be made to six en-
nent jurists. three chosen by each of
he high contracting parties, without
for an umpire, they believing
hat finality would be secured by a ma
Orty vote of the jurists so chosen.
They did not see any present prospect
# agreeing to a European umpire to be
elected in the manner proposed by the
British commissioners, while the Brit
sh commissioners were unwilling to
gree to the selection of an American
umpire in the manner suggested by the
United States commissioners.
The United States commissioners
urther contended that special stipuIa-
ions should be made in any reference
o arbitration that the existing settle
lents on the tide waters of the coast
hould in any result continue to belong
D the United States. To this contention
he British commissioners refused TO
gree.
1t was therefore. deemed advisable
D adjourn to convenient date in or
er 10 enable the respective govern
lents to further consider the subject,
18th respect to which no conclusion has
OF haes1 reached -