Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-28


Washington, May 27.-To clear up
misunderstanding which appear to ex-
lst both in London and to some degree
in this country as to the exact status
of the negotiations between the United
States and Great Britain respecting
Canadian-American issues, the follow
ing statement of the events that led up
to the present conditions was secured
from the best of authority. When the
commission adjourned some months
ago 1t was because il had reached an
apparently unSurmountaDle obstacle in
the shape OF the Alaskan boundary
question. After the adjournment the
TWO governments took up this particu-
Iar question with d view to settling it
and thus removing it from the path OF
the many otner important issues in
VOWED. There were numerous delays
owing to the need of exchanging views
between London, Washington and OF
tawa and the authorities here became
convinced that an adjustment was
hopeless. But the feeling in London
was more hopeful, and when Sir Julian
Pauncefote reached London on his way
to The Hague he held conferences with
Lord Salisbury, which resulted in a
definite proposal for settling the boun-
dairy issue, and removing it as an OBJ
stacle to the work of the commission.
The main point of this proposal was
that separate tribunal OF arbitration
should pass on the boundary question.
1t was communicated TO Ambassador
ffh04rp and nv him n
partment
When the plan was received the
President was absent at Hot Springs.
Va, and it was felt desirable to await
MS return before giving a final answer
There was little or no doubt that the
answer would have been favorable
Just as the acceptance was about to
be given, the officials here were sur
prised to have presented what they re-
garded as an extraordinary condition,
which Canada imposed in connection
with the submission of the question
10 arbitration. This condition was that
in any event, Canada should have Pyr-
amid Harbor and strip of territory
on the Lynn canal, without reference
TO the general conclusions reached by
the tribunal of arbitration This port
and the strip of territory on the coast
would have carried also the back
country leading to the interior.
This condition, coming after the arbi-
tration plan had been formally pro-
posed and was about to be accepted,
caused not only surprise, but some de-
gree OF Indignation among the officials
here. After canvassing the situation,
the view prevailed that Canada wanted
arbitration which would ensure IA
vOrable decision on her side. or else.
if the decision was unfavorable would
give her rights in Pyramid Harbor and
on the Lynn Canal contrary TO the
general decision of the arbitration. 1t
was decided not to accept this condi-
ton, and peremptoTy refusal was
given to the proposition. Thus the
matter stands. There is every reason
TO believe that there will be no yield
ing of the officials here to Canada's
condition. II it is Withdrawn the arbi-
tration may yet be arranged, as a
means of settling the boundary. The
opinion in the highest quarters seems
10 be positive that without some such
adjustment of the boundary matter the
resumption of the work of the joint
commission on the other topics con-
sidered is entirely improbable.