The San Francisco call., 1899-05-20
1OHN BULL
IS BLUFFlNC
IN ALASKA
Objects to the Dispatch Of
American Troops to
tie North.
Special Dispatch. to The Call.

NEW YORK, May 19.-The Herald's
/ Washington correspondent sends the
following: While pressing the United
States to agree to arbitration of the
Alaskan boundary controversy the
British Government has entered objec-
| ton to the dispatch of additional Amer
! lean troops to that territory.
The controversy between the two
governments has assumed a more ser1-
Gus aspect than is generally supposed
While the President is bound to the
principle of arbitration and while, on
its face the case the United States
could present would, it is believed, re-
suit in a triumph for this Government,
there remains a possibility that the ar
bitration tribunal might decide that the
British Government is entitled to port
on the Pacific Coast-perhaps Skaguay,
of which Great Britain desires to OBJ
tain possession.
In view of the great commercial in
terests of the Pacific Coast of the
United States the administration does
not feel justified in accepting arbitra-
tion and the British Government has
been given to understand that this is
the Presidents way of looking at the
proposition. So far as 1 have been able
to learn, however England continues
to strongly press arbitration.
With respect to the dispatch of three
companies of regulars to Alaska to pa
troll the boundary line, the purpose this
Government had in view was to pre-
serve peace and prevent conflict be-
tween Canadian and American miners.
which reports from Governor Brady
show is likely to occur at any moment.
1t is probable, however, that in view
of Great Britain's objection the troops
will not be sent to Pyramid Harbor
as originally intended, but will be To-
Gated at a point accessible to the dis
puted territory, so as to be available in
case of emergency.
In its representation to the American
Government the British Government
takes the view that in the dispatch of
troops to Alaska the United States pro-
poses to retain by force the territory
which it claims, and that consequently
it feels in the interest of friendly rela-
tiOnS between the two governments
they should not go.
Great Britain had indicated that she
has no intention of sending troops to
patrol her side of the boundary line,
and the officials here have no reason to
believe she will take such action. In
fact Great Britain, like the United
States, is extremely anxious to have
the controversy settled as promptly and
as amicably as possible, but she appre-
ciates the imperative need of an outlet
on the Pacific Coast for her great
Northwest Territory, and she is bend
ing every effort to this end.
1t is apparent that on the settlement
of the Alaskan boundary dispute de
pends the reassembling of the High
Joint Commission in August. The ad-
miniStration would very much prefer
/ if the boundary question were left to
this commission to be disposed of 1t
! is pointed out that the two govern
ments originally determined to submit
the question to the commission and
though the commission failed to reach
decision a further discussion of the
matter might lead to satisfactory set
tlement. There are several other mat
terS which the commission is practi-
cally agreed upon and a treaty pro-
viding for their adjudication could be
drawn up at this time, but the British
Government is averse to making any
concessions unless the Alaskan bound
ary dispute is settled. In other words.
unless port in Alaska is ceded to her
she would prefer the continuance of the
status quo