The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-08
AGREEMENT ON ALASKA.
PROVISIONAL SETTLEMENT or THE
BOUNDARY REACHED IN LONDON.

bury and AmbRssadOr ChoRte-The
Agreement Only Requires Ratification
by Canada Protocol of the Final Meet
ing of the Joint High Commission.
Special caJi, B,,patch TO The Sun
LONDON. June t. United States Ambassador
Choate had another conference with Lord
Salisbury at the Foreign ONCE last evening,
with the result OF n provisional agreement
upon Alaskan boundary questions. The Joint
Commission. meanwhile. will continue neRo-
tations. The point discussed between the
Ambassador and the Premier was Dalton's
TRAIL which has been the only obstacle in the
way OF settlement during the last two years.
The question has been continuously nego
tiated between the Foreign Office and the
American Embassy for the past week The
agreement reached last evening only requires
ratification by Canada. Ambassador Choate
sends to-day by cable to Secretary Hay full
statement in regard to the matter.
WASHINGTON. June THE State Depart
ment has received by telegraph from Ambas
sador Choate a report on the negotiations in
London between the Ambassador and Lord
Salisbury over the Alaskan boundary contro-
versy. but the information transmitted by Mr..
Choate Ia OF such q character that the depart
| ment declines TO make it public. 1t is apparent
that the British Government has accepted the
the United States for the adjustment 81
the boundary dispute until permanent
| agreement can be reached. but nothing
| definite can be arranged between the
| two nations until Canadas views are
| ascertaned The Canadian authorities have
| dominated Great Britain in all the neRo-
tiatons. and 1t has been their opposition that
| has prevented an agreement before this time.
The Dalton trail has been the bono Of con-
| H.. l.,Nt
| is now quite as much OF formidable obstacle
| to a thorough understanding as it was n year
| ago. The Canadians want to establish the
| permanent line as far inward from the trail as
possible, while the United States naturally
| wants to move It outward
The State Department. by arrangement with
| the British Government. o-dar made public
| the protocol OF the proceedings of the final
meeting held by the British. American Joint
| High Commission. This protocol has already
been made public in London. but the state
ments Of its contents teleRrarhed to the United
| States have been unsatisfactory and In some
cases misleading 1t is shown by the protocol
| that the United States Commissioners did
| everything In their power to bring about an
adjustment OF the differences between Canada
| and this country. and were prevented from do
| ing so By the attitude OF the British Canadian
representatives. 1t is also shown that at the
| last minute. when an agreement on all points
Of difference appeared assured the British.
| Canadian Commissioners declined to treat
further until the question OF the Alaskan boun-
Diary had been submitted to their Government.
| and in consequence compelled an adjourn
| mcnt.
In order to fully understand the statement
contained in the protocol. 1t should be ex-
planned that up to the day Of the final meeting.
Feb. 19. agreements had been reached on a
majority Of the twelve poiN's at issue. and all
the rest. except that OF the boundary dispute.
were in Such condition that an adjustment was
assured. The Canadian Commissioners. how
ever. became very much concerned over the
political situation in their country and wore
apparently afraid that any concessions made
by them to thu United St..tes would injure the
| Liberal party in the coming elections. Sir
| Richard Cartwright ono OF the Canadian dele
gates. left Washington suddenly. and IL was
understood that he had returned to Ottawa on
account OF the seriousness OF the political con-
| ditions there.
At tho meeting on Feb 10 the British Com
| missioners. to quote tho protocol. repre-
ssnted that the commission. having been I'M
able to agree on that question the Alaska
boundary, It should be referred to arbitra-
ton" They therefore made a proposition In
| writing as basis to be proceeded upon in
framing the treaty. This proposition was a
copy OF an arbitration treaty arranged be-
tween Great Britain and the United States for
the settlement Of the Venezuelan boundary
question. 1t provided for reference OF the
Alaska dispute to tribunal OF three jurists.
enc on the Part q Great Britain. one on the
selected by the two other arbitrators. or, in the
by some i person to be chosen BY both Govern
ments. The protocol says
The Commissioners Of the United States
| nnnnnnpAi fhAy appantai
made as the basis Of adjustment. but desired
an amendment IN relation to the arbitral tri-
sea the % n" dsp Tsdss
tory by subcets or citizens Of one q the parties
PRESENT local conditions in AlasRa III - '"'
dy ESi s2 as on to hs setsa
under the authority OF the United States and
The date Of this treaty, shaii remain within the
territory and jurisdiction OF the United States"
rns af a hs hsn took he
American CommissIone rs were naturally much
notice q their intention not to continue the
tSs Br ny ths Esg
Tsssd the HpsEaP E"andsry qSess S" '' t$e
other matters, at issue, They had proposed
that the. boundary question be submitted to
ment without further dispute, and also prac
ticaly assuring an agreement in the form OF a
treaty on the eleven other points at issue on
all Of which an adjustment had been assured,
or practically 50.
When the Joint High Commission reassem-
hled the British Commissioners said that
they wero unable to accept the modification to
their proposition suggested by the American
Commissioners" Their reasons for dissent
ing we're tina, the suggested amendment to
Article II. did not provide u tribunal which
would necessarily, and in the possible event Of
differences Of opinion. finally dispose OF the
question. and because the suggestion in Rule
c. that towns and settlements on tidewater.
settled under the authority OF the United States
and under tho jurisdiction OF the United
States. should remain within the territory and
jurisdiction Of this Government was marked
and important departure from the rules OF the
Venezuela boundary reference. which provided
that all equities arising from. possession or
other facts alleged by either OF the parties to
the reference should be eft for the considera.
tioI and determinatton Of the arbitration and
the principles Of International law and the
equities Of the case should require.
In explanation OF this last objection the
British Commissioners said; The words
added by the United States Commissioners
claim that an effect should be given 10y their