New-York tribune., 1899-05-18
ARBITRATION PROPOSED.
NEW PLAN FOR SETTLING THE ALAS
KAN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
PROSPECT OF REMOVING THE CHIEF OBJ
sTACLE TO AN AGREEMENT WITH
CANADA-COMMIssION TO
MEET AGAIN.

MEET AGAlN
Washington. May 1.-THE negotiations for the
settlement Of questions at issue between the
United States and Canada have taken ne"
turn, by the suggestion that the Alaskan
boundary question be submitted to arbitration
independent Of the other issues involved, thus
leaving the Joint High Commission free to re-
sumo It's work on the many other pending ques-
tions. The boundary question is said to be the
chief obstacle in the way Of agreement-so
much so that the Commission took its last ad-
journment because of manifest inability TO come
together this point. Since that time the two
Governments have tried to settle the question
and some progress has been made. final
agreement does not yet appear to be In sight
and a temporary adjustment by modus
vvendi is still open.
In the circumstances the officials concerned
in the negotiations are favorably considering
arbitration as means Of settling the boundary
matter If that plan could be carried out II is
said, the Commission would not only he sure OF
reassembing but 1t would meet with every
prospect of winding up all the outstanding dirn-
culties between Canada and the United States
While the plan of arbitration is most favoraoy
entertained by officials here. 1t is not known
how far II has gone in the way Of negotiations
with Lord Salisbury
As the result of conference held at the
Foreign Office in London between Lord sans
bury, Sir Julian Pauncefote and Ambassador
Choate the latter acting under direct instruc-
tions from Secretary Hay. 1t is predicted tha'
the Joint High Commission will reassemble IN
the coming summer or the early fall. Ihis IL "o.
vet positively assur ed but Mr. Choate's report OF
the conference at the Foreign once certaniS
conveys great encouragement 10 the officials
tha
tions may be resumed with some prospect OF
reaching an agreement between the two
branches of the Commission.
II can he said that II the Commission recon-
venes II will only do on a complete apah-
donment OF the old basis. which proved 10 pe
unsuitable for reaching a complete agreement
and this Government will have some sort OF
assurance in advan Of the nature ana oesree
of the concessions which may be expected from
the other side. the lack OF which, IL Is sa'u'
caused the failure Of the first negotiations
Senator Fairbanks the chairman of the Amer
lean branch OF the Commission. was at the state
Department to-day in conference with secre-
tary Hay regarding the outcome or the Lohuo"
meeting and he is convinced that tiie
Commission can be reassembled on new pasis.
re was recalled from New York for the purpose
of holding this consultation and mas nlouinsd mo- ~,
his summer plans in a measure TO sun t
changed prospects. de VIII sun ",.,i,,r mar 70
tended Journey to Alaska, but IS piaIiI,mns -
return to the United States by the mlddIe , Il
Julv a little in advance Of the date 10 which
the Commission adjourned. ..,,or
The projected modus vvendi on the Aiaskd. ' ,sn
boundary question has become involved III 'nc nc
noeot,ations now proceeding In London, and lts
Contamination is entirely dependent on tnelIl'
n Mr. Choate succeeds in arranging sne sn,oI prs ss
I,r,inaries for the meeting of the GollnllSsio 90
&C. no,y exnected the two Governments VIII
nroceed Immediately to arrange modus vIvemu,
n regulate Affairs In the Klondike In the coii''iie
summer and fall.