Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-21

American sentiment regarding the status
of the Alaskan boundary dispute with Eng
land and Canada has perhaps not been as
outspoken as it would have been had the
question stood alone unclouded by other
important foreign and domestic issues. But
1t is nevertheless apparent that there Is
an almost universal opinion in this country
to the effect that Great Britain has per-
mitted the amity now existing between the
two countries to be unnecessarily threat
ened by her weakness in the treatment of
Canada The latter country has played
her traditional role of a spoiled child. She
is a large. prosperous. important colony.
Through her the government at London
holds access across the North American
continent to the Pacific and thence to Asia
Politically and commercially she is of I'M
told worth to the home government And
she realizes this fact quite as keenly as
does the shrewdest statesman in London,
and she plays her knowledge of the situa-
ton for all it is worth.
In this affair Canada has so persistently
confused the negotiations directly main
tanned between Washington and London as
to create the suspicion that she does not
care to find the two main governments APP
preaching each other more closely than in
the past. The new sentiment of friendli-
ness between the United States and Eng
land has never been as heartily echoed
Som Canada as might have been expected.
: hen the joint high commission began its
sessions the dominant note of the Canadian
comment was that the dominion would
stand to gain materially as result of the
new generosity Of the United States. The
keenest Of business estimates was applied
to the opportunity for a mutual under
standing.
The United States has pursued an entire
" consistent course in this boundary mat
ter. 1t has on the face of things a clear
title to the territory in dispute The text
OF the treaties, the maps, the usages of
time and the course of possession have all
been In its favor. Nevertheless the Cana
dams have repeatedly sought to break over
the line fixed so clearly by ancient agree
ments and have finally precipitated a con-
troversy which has involved a certain de-
gree of danger. The home government
showed a disposition to settle the dispute
on equitable lines, and after negotiations
which were greatly facilitated by the
spirit of international anlity practically ac-
cepted a provisional line which represented
the actual conditions in the territory in
dispute. Immediately Canada raised pro-
test that this line cut her off from part of
i4tf CIstliD, diiU 10 cause Oeldy pro-
posed that this line be referred to arbitra-
ton.
The United States has properly, and with
out in the least weakening it's high position
as to arbitration in general. refused to sub
NIT to neutral the question of what shall
constitute the temporary boundary. 1t de-
clareS that this boundary represents actual
conditions as to sovereignty and jurisdic-
ton. and 1t Furthermore points out that
its temporary recognition will not weaken
OF strengthen either side in it's standing
before such final court or umpire of what
ever nature. as may be asked to determine
as TO the meaning of the treaties and the
force of long-COntinued conditions
There IS no warrant in international law
or in custom for the stubborn insistence of
Canada upon> the arbitration of this tenn
pOrary boundary. There is meanwhile
grave danger in the delay. The miners and
other settlers are harassed on both sides
by the uncertainty of their position. Cana
da has blocked the proceedings to the point
where it would be an act Of wisdom for
England TO take the case entirely out of
her hands and settle upon a provisional line
directly with the United States Failing
this step, the United States should lose no
time in sending troops to occupy the terri
tory recognized as American and to pre-
serve the peace. The government at OF
tawa can then settle its quarrel as best it
may with the government at London.