Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-06-10

1t is known that the arrangement of a
modus vivendi to govern the relations Of
the United States and Canada ON the
Alaskan boundary is receiving a great
deal of Ambassador Choate's attention.
The basis for the temporary delimta-
ton of the boundary in the neighborhood
of the passes leading into the klondike
from the Linn canal will, if the present
effort succeed. be on White pass on the
east, and on Chilkoot pass in the middle,
at the points where the Canadian Gus
tom houses We're established about IS
months ago. On the Dalton trail the
point has not yet been selected, and as
the pressure toward the sea on this west
ernmost trail by the Canadians has been
more severe than at any other point very
naturally great difficulty is experienced
In reconciling, even temporarily. the con-
tlicting claims to Jurisdiction. While
Pyramid harbor is not insisted upon at
this juncture by the Canadians as part
of the temporary arrangement, they de-
sire to get as near to tide water as pos
sible, and their claim in this quarter in
cludes the important Indian village of
klukwan, a town that has long been un-
der the protection of the United States.
1t is said. however, that too much as
surance should not be taken that COM
plete accord is certain. The officials
agree with the London view that the out
look is rather brighter because negotia-
tons are on again, but they qualify this
W saying that the agreement Is not yet
concluded. and that when concluded it
will still leave much to be settled by fu-
lure negotiations. In view of the fact
hat the protocol reciting the proceedings
of the joint high commission on Feb is
asst in Washington had been made pub
'ic in the Canadian legislature while an
abstract of its contents has also been
published in London as we'll as in this
country. the state department has
deemed 1t proper to give out for publi-
.ation the entire protocol.
This particular protocol is regarded by
he department as of great Importance,
for it marked the failure of the commits
zion under peculiar conditions. The
.ecord shows that the joint commission
net at 10 o'clock that morning: that the
British side proposed arbitration, and
that the Americans accepted the propo-
stion in general using it as IA basis for
4 treaty, as offered by the British How
ever, it is shown that when the Ameri-
cans offered an amendment the British
side promptly refused to accept it, and
without affordng further opportunity
FOR the erection of an arbitration treaty
stopped the negotiations and referred the
matter to their own government, not
withstanding the urging of the Ameri-
cans that the commission at least con-
;lude their negotiations upon the remain
ing subjects.
These facts We're the basis of the
American contention that the Canadians
had not afforded real opportunity for
arbitration ard were responsible for the
disruption of the joint commission. The
points of the British arbitration pro-
posal and also of the proposition put for
ward by the Americans as an amend.
ment have already been indicated i'm the
cable dispatches, and the following
points are given as those upon which i'm
portance is laid by the Americans:
In putting forward their proposal the
British side said: The commissioners of
The United states announced that thew
accepted the proposals made as the basis
of adjustment. but desired an amend
ment in relation to the arbitral tribunal
and modification of rule C to make II
conform to the present local conditions
in Alaska"
The British objections to the American
counter proposal have also been pub
lished and the record on that point reads.
Holding these views. the British COM
missioners are of the opinion thai no use
full end would be served by further DR., ss-
Ing at the present time the negotiations.
and must refer the matter to their gov
ernment."