The San Francisco call., 1899-07-22
MODUS V|VEND|
NOW HOPED FOR
Prospect of Settlement
Of Alaskan Boundary.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE RESUMED
GREAT BRITAIN MAKES SLIGHT
CONCESSION.
Has Not Given Up the Claim to
Port on Lynn Canal, but Aban-
dons the Idea of Securing
Pyramid Harbor
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CALL HEADQUARTERS. WELLIN1-
TON HOTEL. WASHINGTON, July IL
AS a result of the resumption or neSo-
tiations respecting the Alaskan boundary
controversy administration officials seem
to be growing confident that the moouS
vivendi will be at last agreed upon.
Naturally the authorities dislike to give
expression to any optimism because the
two governments are not by any means
vet out of the woods. but the fact thal
the British Government replied TO the
American note, and it was stated author-
itatively to-day, had made concession
slight, perhaps, but nevertheless a con-
cession, is considered by well informed
officials to mean that an agreement may
yet be reached.
Great Britain, acting for Canada. has
not vet given up the hope of securing a
port on Lynn Canal. though she has aban-
doned her proposition that her right to
Pyramid HarbOr be inserted in the modu9
Yivendi.
1 understand that the two governments
are agreed that the modus vivendi shaH
not be construed as in any way prejudlc-
ing their claims to the territory in con-
troversv. but in urging her claim to Pyra-
mid HarbOr Great Britain was actualeu'
it is believed, by a desire to show before
an arbitral tribunal that might be ap-
pointed to determine the exact location
OIL IDe DOuHudIN me tl4SiN ti4r
States has so little faith in its own pre-
tensions that it permitted her to occupy
Pyramid Harbor.
The determined objection Of this Gov
ernment caused the abandonment OF the
British proposition, and while there Il
still considerable difference in the claims
of the two governments yet II IS hopeu IN IN
view of Secretary Hays courteous repi9
sent yesterday that the British Govern, ~,
ment will be willing to advance sun Sun
further in order TO meet the suggestions 157
of this Government 1t can oe IeIIet ICl d ,3ct
positively that the United States does hol
propose to permit Great Britain to naE naE
Jurisdiction over the territory occupleu
by American mines. and for this reason d.
well as it's desire to strictly observe tut
treaties defining the boundary the me
must be fixed above the village OF hluch-
wan as already fixed by Secretary hay
Because of the muddled condltlon OF tle
controversy Secretary Hay has been com
neIled to postpone his vacation, but the
resumption of active negotiations ahC
their delicate conduct by the Secretary
have strengthened the hope of the Presl'
dent and members of the High JOINT Com
mission that it will not be long before the
modus ViVendi will be signed. ne mat
ter is being actively pressed, ana until II
is settled the department will be unable
TO announce whether the High JOINT Com
mission will be adjourned to a definite
date or indefinitely.
Senator Fairbanks was in conference
with Secretary Hay and Special Reclproc-
ity Commissioner Kasson to-day regard,
ing the Alaskan boundary question anC
later called upon the President Wit
whom he discussed the dispute de VIII
nroba blv make an official statement to-
morrow regarding the matter