New-York tribune., 1899-07-25
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY
OBJECTIONS TO SUBMITTING THE oUEs-
TION TO ARBITRATION.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS STILL HOPEFUL OF SET
TLEMENT-soUNDNEss OF THE CLAIMS
OF THE UNITED STATES

THE ADMINISTRATION STILL HOPEFUL OF SET
Observation-Disclosures OF THE CLAIMS
OF THE UNITED STATES
Washington. July "A (speciaD.-There are no
new developments in the Alaskan boundary dis
pute. The negotiations pending between
Secretary Hay and Mr. Tower the British
Charge d'Affaires. are all directed toward a set
tlement through the ordinary diplomatic chan
nels. without recourse to arbitration. AS al
ready explained in these dispatches. the claim
of Canada has never been definitely formulated
Until that is done. no substantial progress will
probably be possible in the negotiations.
Inasmuch as the Canadian officials have laid
stress upon the refusal OF the United States TO
accept fair arbitration Of the pending question
II may be proper TO explain authoritatively the
reason for refusal In the fist place, the Gov
ernment Of the United States is absolutely GER
tain OF the soIndness OF its claims in the matter
Of the boundary. That would seem to be good
reason for submitting the matter to arbitration.
for 1t might be expected that good cause had
nothing to fear from fair arbitrators. But. un-
fortunately for such claims. the United States
Government holds that arbitrators are almost all
subject TO the fatal weakness Of compromising
In the case OF the United States. any compromise
would amount TO the loss Of its whole conten-
tion for once Canada Is admitted 10 the Lynn
Canal the United States would be deprived Of
the only weapon which II now possesses for the
protection OF miners going into TIE Klondike
from extorton. and perhaps expulsion. 1t was
for this reason that Secretary Hay rejected the
Canadian proposal TO arbitrate. attended by the
condition that in any case Pyramid Harbor
should be bestowed upon Canada.
This has caused a revival OF the project TO
allow Canada free port privileges at some speci-
fed ports on the Lynn Canal-Dyea, Skaguay
or Pyramid Harbor perhaps-while allowing
sovereignty over them TO remain In the United
States. and this is one OF the propositions that
Is engaging attention. II is realized that
this plan would meet with strong opposition
from that element which favors no concession
whatever 10 Canada. But II is thought that
the advantage OF such arrangement would
can miners might reasonably expect TO benefit
a good deal from the construction OF the pro-
posed railroad. running from free Canadian
port on the Lynn Canal straight through TO
Dawson. in the heart OF the Klondike.
Senator Fairbanks. chairman Of the American
division OF the Joint High Canadian Commits
sion, made a brief call upon the President to-
day before starting for his home in Indiana
He declined TO discuss the speech Of Sir Wilfrid
Laurer 10 remark upon the situation with
reference TO the boundary dispute. He con-
frmed the report already given out that there
would be no meeting Of the Joint Commission
Laurer had last Friday agreed upon a post
ponement for an indefinite period. The Senator
would not hazard surmise 10 when another
| meeting might be held