The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-06-01
In Regard to the Various Matters
Before the High Joint
Commission.
Canadian Proposal That an Alas.
kan Seaport Be a Point in
Arbitration
Could Not BE Entertained by This
Countrywide British Point
of View.

New YORK, June IA special to
The Herald from Washington says:
Though less confident than it has
been Of settlement of the Alaskan bound
ary question, the administration is still
hopeful that the negotiations being con-
Quoted by Secretary Hay and the Brit
ish government will yet furnish solu-
tion Of the controversy.
Sir Wilfred Laurier's statement that
Canada has never demanded Pyramid
! Harbor is confirmed by officials. who,
however decline to talk for publication.
AS matter of fact, Great Britain for
Canada has never asked formally for q
port on the Pacific. This was the con.
clusion drawn by the officials from
reading between the lines of the Eng
lish communication.
An Official conversant with the nego-
tiations says that after considerable dis
cussion in the high joint commission,
the suggestion was made that the
boundary dispute be referred TO arbl-
tration. In principle this was satisfac-
tory to the United States, but this gov
ernment desired to have it determined
specifically what territory should be
! subjected to arbitration. Great britain
consulted Canada and later in a COM
munication indicated that Canada de-
sired 10 put into controversy port on
the Alaskan coast. probably Skaguay,
though none was named.
Could Not Consent to 1t.
Secretary Hay officially replied that
the United states could not consent 10
adopt the British position. This decls-
ion was reached after careful consulta-
,ion with the president and with the
full understanding of the Importance OF
such port TO the great British North
west territory and the injury such an
outlet would do the Pacific coast.
To great extent, the assembling of
the high joint commission, and the
abrocation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
depend upon the solution of the bound
ary question. Great Britain insists that
the United States has more To gain 10y
the abrogation of the Nicaraguan canal
convention and the settlement OF the
numerous questions pending with Can
ada than she has and that AS an offset
this government should be willing t(
mske concessions in the boundary con
troversy.
The administration, however. doe
not intend TO ieopardize American III
terests by giving Canada port on tn
pacilic. and regrets that Great Britain
is eudeavoring to use other questions a
club with which to get this country t
acce,le 10 her views in the boundary dis
. pute.
In the matter Of the Clayton-Bulwe
treaty. Secretary Hay and Sir Julia1
pauncefote had agreed upon the detail
Of tbe convention for its abrogation, an
that it was ready for their signature
when Great Britain brought forwar
!. this proposition to determine the Alas
Ian boundary line and directed 81
Julian to stop negotiations with refel
ance 10 the Clayton-Bulwer treaty.
Secretary Hay and Reginald Tower
charge d'atfaires Of the British emDass!
have held one conference this week II
rarding the boundary question. but
Vas stated that there did not appes
any better chance of agreement tina
= there had been for several weeks.
u While the United States has compile
: with the British request that no trool
be sent to Pyramid Harbor, Alaska, tn
administration is determined to have
o force in the territory and close to tt
boundary line sufficient to prevent an
3 fohting between Canadian and Amer
= can miners.