The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-14
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY.
CANADA FINALLY CONSENTS TO THE
MODUS YIVENDL

1t Establishes n Provisional Boundary Line
Which Leaves the United States in Pos
session. as Now, of Every Water Inlet
to the Canadian Klondike Country.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 13.-No confirmation OF
the statement made BY slr Louis Davies Cana
dian Minister Of Marine and Fisheries. that he
had given Canada's consent to the modus
vivendi, establishing a provisional boundary
line between Alaska and the British possess
sions, thus removing the last obstacle In the
way OF a temporary adjustment OF this emoar-
RAISING question. has been received at the
State Department. but much qualification 10
expressed over the outcome. The modus does
not affect the principle OF the boundary con-
troversy and the provisional line established
10 not to be taken as . concession OF territory
by one side or the other.
The provisional boundary 10, however. to
be observed BY both parties until q peIma-
nent settler ent IL reached. thus reducing to
minimum the chances OF q conflict between the
people in the disputed territory which might
have involved the United States and Great
porary boundary actually deliminated in the
modus 10 only about seventeen miles long. but
d To GSfoo an Paas ana Fs:
sso oa5 ~ Imaginary line and actually de-
From the Canadian custom houses at the
submits OF White Pass and Chilkoot Pass to q
point north OF the Indian village OF Klukwan
northwest OF Klukwan. thence following the
course Of the Tlehini River ~ the junction OF
the Of Sopper GSesi soatR thence
sharply 70 The west to a.
defined on account Of the mountain range be.
tween White and Chlk2ot pa ssss END the point
men n Great Britain does not e port on tide
water or place on a stream leading to tide
water that 10 naviRable even by canoes or other
While the provisional boundary is consld-
cradle distance to the south OF the line mark
the United States. that fact does not mean
that this Government has surrendered any OF
provisional and the claimed boun daries 1t has
been specifically agreed between the two parties
that the ed,ustm emit Of the Temporary n boundary
Of either Great Britain or tho United States.
II such q construction should be contendsd by
could. without violation Of any rule or agree
ment, abrogate the modus Immediately. leaving
SesS Of S Ss .as es Ss
4 |: nov, for the @odu; has no, been signed
agreement. within the authority OF Great
Britain. but that route to the Klondike cannot
be reached without passing through American
Altoeether the arraneement is perfectly sat
isfnctory TO this Government. for 1t not only
tween tho rival miners. with all that such q
States in possession OF every water inlet and
outlet to the Klondike country. retains within
American territory. the ports OF Dyea and
skngway, one Of which Great Britain wanted
and at one time actually claimed. and gives
to the United States the bulk. IL not all. OF the
Klondke trade
Secretary Hay 10 expected hero tomorrow.
The acceptance OF tho m odus by the British
Government was dependent on the assent oil
Canada. and now that that has been given. 40
cording to Sir Louis Davies. official notification
OF the fact will probably be telegraphed to the
British EN- bassy here from the London Foreign
ONCE, and authority given to Mr.. Tower. the
British Charge d'Affairss, to sign the m odus In
behalf OF his Government. Secretary Hay will
sign IL In behalf OF the United States. Grant
ing that Sir Louis Davies has been correctly
quoted, the formal signing will probably take
place i'm IN ediately after Mr.. Hays return.