Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-05-29
CANADA THE OBSTACLE
Her Demand For Pyramid llarbor, In
Alaska, Refused.
JOINT COMMISSION BLOCKED.
An Extraordinary Condition Attach
ed to Arhitrntion.-( auNc of the
Deadiock In NeGUtiatiOns.
officials Are Indignant.

Washington, May 20.-To clear up mis-
understandings which appear to exist
both in London and to some degree III
this country as to the exact status of the
negotiations between the United StnteS
and Great Britain respecting Canadian
American issues the following statement
Of the events that led up to the present
conditions Mas secured from the best of
authority. When the commission aid
joulucd some months ago, it was be-
cause it had reached an apparently in
surmountHblc obstacle in the shape of
the Alaskan boundary question. After
the Adjournment the two governments
took up this particular question with a
view to settling it and thus removing it
from the path of the many other i'm
port0nt iSsucS involved. There were
numerous delays owing to the need of
exchanging views between London
Wnshingtpn and Ottawa and the au-
thoritcs here became convinced that an
adjustment was hopeless. But the feel
ing in London WAS more hopeful, and
when Sir Julian Pauncefote reached
London ON his way 10 The Hague he held
conferences with Lord Salisbury. which
resulted in Il dofinitr proposal for set
Ting the hoUnluty ISSUE and removing it
us an oDstacr to the work of the com
mission. The main point of this pro-
loSlI WAS thai Il separate tribunal of
arbitration shoUld pass on the boundary
question: II wa, communicated to EN-
basSador Choatc and by him to the state
department.
C.TciasM surprised.
When III" 'llau WAS received the pres
idcnt WAS absent at Hot Springs, Va,
and i, was felt desirable to await his
return before giving Il final answer.
There was little or no doubt that the an
sWer would have been Favorable. Just
rs tn" acceptance was about to be given
the officials here We're surprised to have
presented what they regarded as an cX-
traordinarY coalition which Canada i'm
posed in connection with tn" submission
of the question to arbitration. This con
diton was that III amy event Canada
should have Pyramid harbor and IL strip
of territory on the Lynn canal without
reference to the general conclusions
reached by III tribunal of arbitration
This port ami the strip of territory of
the coast WoHld have carried also the
back country leading to the interior.
This condition. coming after the arbi-
tration plan had been formally proposed
and was about to be accepted, caused not
only surprise, but some degree of indig-
nation among the officials here. After
cnnvnSsing the situation the view pre-
vailed that Canada wanted arbitration
which would insure Il Favorable decision
on her side or else. if the decision was
1IHfayorlNIc. would give her rights in
Pyramid halbo.' and on the Lynn canal
contrary to the general decision of tn,
arbitration. 1t was decided not to accept
this condition, and Il percmptory refusal
was given to the proposition. Thus tn,
matter stands. There is every reason t.
believe tE2t ere will be no yielding OF
the officials her" to Canada $ condition
If it is Withdrawn. the arbitration may
yet he arranged AZ II means of settling
the boundary. The opinion in the high
est quarters seems 70 he positive thai
without som" such adjustment Of tn,
boundary matter tn" resumption of tn,
worl of tho joint commission ON the
many other topics considered is cntrcl!
Improbable.