The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-24
canada Now Proposes to Arbi-
trate Dispute
In Relation to the Boundary
Line of Alaska.
WILL GIVE UP CLAIM
To Skaguay and Dyea In Ad-
vance
In Consideration of Receiving
Pyramid HarbOr.

London October 24-The Associated
Press is enabled to give authoritatively
Canada's final proposition for a perma-
nent settlement of the Alaska dispute
1t is very different from her former
demands and was delivered to United
States Ambassador Choate by the Ca
madam minister of marine and fisheries,
Sir Louis Henry Davies, late the night
before the latter sailed and dispatched
today to Washington by the officials OF
the United States embassy.
It is as follows: That the boundary
line be arbitrated upon terms similar
to those composed by the United States
and Great Britain over Venezuela, par
ticuIarly those provisions making SO
years occupancy by either side conclu-
sive evidence of title, occupancy Of less
than that period to be taken as equity
allows under international law. That
as a condition precedent to and abso-
luteIy preliminary to arbitration, Ska
quay and Dyea would be conceded to
the United States without further
claim if Canada received Pyramid har-
bor.
In other words. Canada gives up
much of the disputed gold country in
return for a seaport, but stipulates that
she must get the latter before Sns
agrees to arbitrate the boundary line
The propositions of Sir Louis Henry
Davies were made privately and were
appa rently the result of an unexpected
communication from his government
for Sir Louis the day previous, express
ed no inkling that he was empowered TO
make such sweeping proposals Inc
Canadian statesman, heretofore, mas IS
sistently denied the United States con-
Uention that Dyea and SkaBuay must
| first be ceded to the United States be-
fore further treating on the subject ana
his sad1en-ehange of front and the
| concession of two such important
points are apparently unexpected, as
| Mr.. Choate was found to a certain ex-
! tent unprepared. The only reply JnaL
| he could make was that he would IN
| form the authorities at Washington
| and await their advice as his ms uc-
tions 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 it can be stated definitely
that Mr.. Chamberlain advised conces-
sion as much as possible in order 10
! gain a port of entry free from United
! States control, with the professed rea-
| son that commercial advantages would
| accrue therefrOm. But, it is said thaC
the Interior motive is to increase BTU
| ish naval strength, by making Pyra-
mid HarbOr a strong naval station Re-
| garding the probable action of the I'm
| tied States in these altered conditions,
! British official opinion is that the IN
| tied States, having been granted Dyea
| and Skaguay, can not refuse 70 accept
J the identical form of arbitration they
| compelled England to take towards
| Venezuela
| This course is contingent upon the
! United States deciding that the Old
| Bering sea country is more valuable
| than Pyramid harbor. Ex-COngressman
/ James H. Lewis, who conferred with
| Messrs. Davies and Choate regarding
| the claims Cf the American miners IN
! volved in the disputed territory op-
] posed giving up Pyramid harbOr- He
| pointed out to Mr.. Choate that Canada
| would have an important depot for
| store houses and shipping whence she
! could seriously undersen the United
| States and injure her trade in the
| Orient and also that Great Britain
would secure invaluable strategical ad-
| Vantages. At the committees next sit
| ting Minister Davies strongly opposed
| the claims which he reported being
| boundary dispute and Mr.. Choate up
| held this view, though Mr.. Lewis has
| succeeded in securing the assurance
| that they will be treated in conjunction
| with Canadas claims for seal destruc-
| ton. Mr.. Lewis said to representa-
| tive of the Associated Press:
Il am satisfied with the success of
| my mission. 1t is sure that the Ameri-
cans will now get Justice
Mr.. Lewis has been seriously i'll but
| recovered sufficiently to attend the con-
! ference before Minister Davies depart
ure. He has been honored by the Brit
ihs officials, receiving courtesies in the
British commons from the speaker and
! attended the opening of the law courts
in company with former President
He will sail with Mr.. Harrison fol
| home on the American line steamer st
Paul next Saturday.