The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-28
boundary Dispute the Obstacle
That Prevents Resumption Of
Treaty Negotiations.
ARBITRATION WAS PROPOSED
AND WOULD HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED
But FOR THE DOMINION PEOPLE,
Who Demanded Concessions That
No Matter What the Decision.

WASHINGTON, May 27.-To clear up mis-
understandings which appear TO exist both
In London and to some degree in this coun-
try as to the exact status of the negotiations
between the United States and Great Brit
ain respecting Canadian-American Issues,
the following statement of the events that
led I'D to the present conditions was secured
from the best of authority. When the COM
mission adjourned some months ago 1t was
because it had reached an apparently in
surmountable obstacle in the shape of the
Alaskan boundary question. After the ad-
journment the two governments took up this
particular question with a view TO settling
it and thus removing il from the path OF the
many other important issues involved. There
were numerous delays. owing to the need
CT exchanging views between London.
Washington and Ottawa. and the authori-
ties here became convinced that an adjust
ment was hopeless. But the feeling in Lon
don was more hopeful, and when Sir Julian
Pauncefote reached London on his way to
The Hague he held conferences with Lord
Salisbury, which resulted in a definite pro-
posal for settling the boundary issue and
removing 1t as an obstacle TO the work or
the commission. The main point of the pro-
posal was that a separate tribunal OF arbi-
tration should pass on the boundary ques-
ton. 1t was communicated TO Ambassador
Choate and by him to the State Department.
When the plan was received the President
was absent at Hot Springs, Va, and 1t was
felt desirable to await his return before
giving a final answer. There was little or
no doubt that the answer would have been
favorable. Just as the acceptance was about
to be given, the officials here were surprised
to have presented what they regarded as an
extraordinary condition which Canada i'm
posed in connection with the submission of
the question to arbitration. This condition
was that. in any event, Canada should have
Pyramid harbor and a strip of territory on
the Lynn canal, without reference to the
general conclusions reached by the tribunal
of arbitration. This port and the strip Of
territory on the coast would have carried
also the back country leading to the in
terror. This condition, coming after the ar
bitration plan had been formally proposed
and was about to be accepted, caused not
only surprise, but some degree of indigna-
ton among the officials here. After can
vassing the situation, the view prevailed
tina Canada wanted arbitration which
would insure a favorable decision on her
side, or else, If the decision was unfavor-
| able, would give her rights in Pyramid hsr-
Dor and on Lynn canal, contrary to the
general decision of the arbitration. 1t was
| decided not to accept this condition. and a
| p%eremptory refusal was given TO the propo-
sition. Thus the matter stands.
There is every reason to believe that there
| will be no yielding Of the officials here to
Canada's condition. II 1t is withdrawn the
| arbitration may yet be arranged as a means
-. A. L-.-5-rv M. .D;-to.- 4, tka
| highest quarters seems to be positive that,
| without some such adjustment of the bound
| airy matter, the resumption of the work of
| the Joint commission on the many other
topics considered is entirely improbable.
Gen. Joseph Wheeler scents battle. and de-
sires to get into it. He is carried on the pay
rolls of the War Department as a brigadier
general, but he doesn't m anything
but his salary and allowances; therefore he
has been to see President Mckinley and
stated to him in so many words that unless
he can have an active command and be
placed in a position to lead men in battle he
would prefer 10 resume his place in the
House of Representatives, where there is
always more or less of a fight on. President
Mckinley expressed the hope that General
the grizzled veteran said: Unless / am
given command, and that command is near
the lrlng line, Il QOH I QeSlTe 10 stay. IL Il
am to be q military man want to be upon
the scene Of action, and not held up in
Washington"
Wabash, Marion, Jones City and Gas City,
| Ind, will each be allowed additional clerical
assistance in their postofhces on July l.
Calvin Bounner has been appointed night
clerk at the postoficea at Wabash
The Civil-service Commission will hold an
.~.vntootiar TrlN 9 ar Iahannn Ind for
position Of clerks and carriers for duty in
that office.
The following Indianians were to-day adj
mitted to practice before the Interior De-
gartment;, Hugh E; corbets and Charles F.
Waltz, Elkhart; Thomas S. Vawter, Rex
Vile; Levi l. simohs. Warren.
The Navy Department to-day made the
final payment on account of the gunboat
Princeton and she is now the property Of
the government.
Secretary and Mrs. Alger have gone to
Thorndale; Pa. TO spend a few days with
their daughter.
Agent Clifford, Of the Tongue River In
dian agency. in Montana, has reported to
the Interior Department that the reports
Of uneasiness among those indian are base
less and that the only trouble comes from
the actions Of some border whites. In &C
cordance with his recommendation, as a
precautionary measure. secretary Hitch
cock to-day requested the War Department
10 continue its present scheme of furnishing
a small detachment of cavalry from Camp
Merritt TO patrol the reservation border, to-
gether with the regular Indian police.
The informal suggestion that postnasters
cooperate in the Dewey home movement
has already brought contributions from
Postnasters Canty, at Torrington. Col;
Mcneil, at Waycross. Ca; Black, at Lowell,
Wash, and Weaver. at Rapid City, s. d.
Replying TO a suggestion from Postmaster
Thomas, at Dfbble, /. T.. that postmasters
set aside their cancellation returns for a
| month as a contribution. acting Postmaster
General Heath says nc official action can
be taken upon II. as all contributions must
be voluntary.
The postal officials in charge In Porto Rico
| have formulated a set of regulations or In
structions covering the dead-letter work on
] the island. These ipstructious follow gem