Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-25
Arbitration on Terms Similar to These
Alent Venezuela.
sKAGUAY AND DYEA TO BE OURS.
This on Condition That Canada Is
from Russia Regarding Boring
Sea Difference.
Sea Difference.

LONDON. October 2L-The Associated
Press is enabled to give authoritativey
Canada's final Proposition for perma-
nent settlement of the Alaska dispute. IL
is very different from her former de-
mands. and was delivered to United
States Ambassador Choate by the Cana
dian Minister Of Marine and Fisheries,
Sir Louis Henry Davies, late tonight, be-
fore the latter sailed, and dispatched to-
day to Washington by the officials of the
United States Embassy. 1t is as follows:
THAT the boundary line be arbitrated
upon terms similar to those imposed by
tho United States and Great Britain over
Venezuela territory, those provisions
making fifty years occupancy by either
side conclusive evidence of title, occu-
pancy of less than that period to be taken
as equity allows under international law.
THAT as a condition precedent to and
absolutely preliminary TO arbitration,
Skaguay and Dyea will be conceded to
the United States, without further claim,
il Canada receives Pyramid Harbor.
"In other words. Canada gives up much
Of the disputed gold country in return for
seaport, but stipulates that she must
get the latter before she agrees to arbi-
trate the boundary line"
BOTH SIDES SURPRISED.
The propositions OF Sir Louis Henry
Davies were made privately and were,
apparently, the result Of an unexpected
Communication from his government, for
Sir Louis. the day previous. expressed no
inkling that he was empowered TO make
such sweeping proposals The Canadian
statesman heretofore has insistently de-
MED the United States contention that
Dyea and skaguay must first be ceded to
the United states before treating on this
subject. and his sudden change OF front
and the concession OF two such important
d .nts are apparently intended as coup.
and MI ChOate was found, To u certain
extent, unprepared. The only reply he
could make was that he would inform
the authorities at Washington and await
their advices. as his instructions did not
contemplate such a change OF base by
Canada.
The Associated Press is reliably in
formed that Canada's new position was
greatly influenced By Imperial pressure.
and il can be stated definitely that Mr..
Chamberlain advised concession as much
as possible, in order TO gain a port Of
entry free from United states control,
with the profossed reason that COM
mercial advantage would accrue there
from. But IL is said that the Interior
motive IL to increase British naval
strength by making Pyramid harbor
strong naval base.
BRITISH ARGUMENT.
Regarding the probable action Of the
United States in these altered conditions
British official opinion is that the United
States. having been granted Dyea and
Skaguay, cannot refuse 10 accept the
Identical form OF arbitration they COM
PEELED England 10 take toward Venezuela.
This course is contingent upon the United
States deciding that the old Berins coun-
try is more valuable than Pyramid har-
Dor.
OUR KLONDIKE CLAIM.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. October 2i-It
is said at the state Department that the
proposition as TO ii permanent Alaskan
boundary. laid down by Sir Louis Davies.
IS nothing more nor less than sum-
mary Of claims heretofore preferred.
When the commission was Ia session
last spring and the Canadian proposition
was made to settle the boundary ques-
ton By arbitration. the American COM
missioners replied with an OFFER 10 ac-
cept arbitration, with the proviss that
no point occupied by Americans for a
specihed term of years should be sub
mltted TO the arbitration. In other
words. the term was so 1Xed that by
no possibility could the title 10 skaguay.
Dyea, or any other place that the Ameri-
cans had occupied for a period repre-
"a. ,f h..
field be called into question by the arbi-
tration.
This was one Of the final propositions
rejected BY the Canadian commissioners
which caused the failure of the joint con-
ference. Since that time there have been
several suggestions in the nature OF COM
PROMISES. and included among these as
one Ike this embodied in Sir Louis La
vies's p.cTceitions-n that the
Unvcd Stetes should confirm the Cana
dian title 70 Pyramid harbor. In return
for Canadian confirmation OF the Ameri-
can title to SkagGay and Dyea.
PYRAMID HARBOR OURS, TOO.
1t is not possible 10 accurately forecast
the view that the State Department Will
take OF this last proposition, but II may
be proper 10 recall the fact that, in the
opinion OF the department. Canada has
no more Cltln 10 IAIiHll HAlDDi IMAM
IL has to Skaguay and Dyea. and the
British Government has already been in
formed OF that belief Therefore II
seems probable that Sir Louis Daves's
proposition will not materially advance
a permanent settlement Of the boundary
question. and that tho two countries Will
continue TO act for some time to come
under the terms Of the modus vivendi
recently arranged by Secretary Hay and
Mr. Tower.
RUSSIA AGREES TO ARBITRATE.
LONDON, October A.-Russia, It has
been learned by tile Associated Press, has
at last agreed to arbitrate with the
United states the claims resulting from
tho seizure Of sealeTs In Boring sea, which
have been pending for about eight years.
A protocol between the two govern
ments has been drawn uD, the final for
malitles are expected 20 be concluded
next month, and the arbitration VIII
probably take the form Of the Venezuelan
court.
ORIGIN or ANTI-RUSSIA CLAIMS.
WASHINGTON, October 2+-These
Claims originated In the seizure by the
Russian authorities OF tho coast OF sioe-
ria OF three American sealing vessels the
estimated damages claimed agsregatlng
bout sl50, coo. The vessels were the James
Hamilton Lewis the Cape Horn Pigeon,