Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-21
THE COMMISSION ADJOURNS
Members Will Meet Again in Montreal Next
August.
Unable to Reach an Agreement ON the
Alaskan BOundary-Causes
of Disagreement.

The American-Canadian joint high COM
mission has adjourned to meet at Quebec
August 2. The commission first began its
labors nearly six months ago in Canada,
| and has, with the exception of probably
! month, been earnestly at work endeavoring
to accomplish the object for which it was
appointed-an agreement with view to
the formulation Of a treaty covering the
many perplexing questions of differences
affecting the business interests of the Unit
ed States and Canada existing between
them.
From statement made public with the
sanction of the two commissions, 1t appears
| there were serious differences of opinion
between them regarding the important
matter of the delimitation of the Alaskan
boundary. the Canadians in this connec-
ton being anxious to obtain a seaport
on the Lynn canal so that its shippers
would not be subjected to the petty an
noyances which they asserted they ex-
perienced at the hands of the United States
officials.
Then the time for the meeting of the
Canadian parliament, at which the pres
ence the members of the commission
from that country is desired, is overdue,
and the latter are anxious to return
soon as possible 1t also became apparent
that there was little likelihood of the pos
sibility of the ratification by the United
States Senate at its present session of any
treaty which might be framed which also
probably figured in the decision to adjourn.
A dozen important questions were referred
to the commission for its consideration,
and the commissioners assert that Substan-
tial progress in the settlement and adj
justment of many of them has been made
Probably those which have given the most
serious trouble and proved a stumbling
block to final agreement on all have been
the two relating to lumber and the Alaska
boundary question, on both of which the
how do, dad inTae-
which the Americans felt it would be preju-
dicial to the best interests of the United
States to grant 1t felt also that an
adjournment for a few months might re-
suit in better prospect for harmony. On
behalf Of their respective commissions, Sen
ator Fairbanks, the chairman of the Amer
lean body, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, acting
chairman IN the absence of Lord HerSchell
of the Canadian body, who is i'll, made the
following public statement respecting the
action taken by the commission:
Statement of the Work Done.
"The commission adjourned to meet at
Quebec August 2, unless the chairmen of
the respective commissions shall agree
upon another date
THE commission has made very substan-
tial progress in the settlement and
adjustment of many of the ques-
| tons upon which it has been earn
estly engaged But it has been unable to
dSIee upon the settlement OF the Alaskan
boundary. This problem has been COM
plicated and difficult one, but the commits
sioners acting in the utmost friendliness
and cordiality, have been unable to agree
upon satisfactory adjustment
The difficulties, apart from the immedi-
ate delimitation of this boundary by the
commission itself, arise from the condi-
ions under which it might be referred to
arbitration. The British commissioners de-
sired that the whole question should be re-
ferred on terms similar to those provided
in the reference of the Venezuela boundary
line, and which, by providing an umpire
would insure certainty and finality. The
United States commissioners on the other
hand, thought the local conditions in Alas
ka so different that some notifications of
the Venezuela boundary reference should
be introduced. They thought the reference
should be made to six eminent jurists,
three chosen by each of the high contract
ing parties, without providing for an UNI
pire, they believing that finality would be
secured by a majority vote of the jurists
so chosen. They did not see any present
| prospect of agreeing to a European umpire,
to be selected in the manner proposed by
the British commissioners, while the Brit
ish commissioners Were unwilling to agree
to the selection of an American umpire in
the manner suggested by the United States
commissioners.
The United States commissioners fur
Their contended that special stipulations
should be made in any reference to arbitra-
ton that the existing settlements on the
tiueWdterS Ol the coast SnOulO IN any
suit continue to belong to the United
States. To this contention the British COM
missioners refused to agree
1T was, therefore, deemed advisable to
adjourn to convenient date in order to
enable the respective governments to fur
Their consider the subject, with respect to
which no conclusion has yet been reached"
The Canadians left here today for Ottawa
via New York. Lord Herschell, who sus-
tanned a serious fracture of his thigh by
fall recently, will be confined to his room
probably month before being able to move
about on crutches.