The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-02-24
NEGOTIATIONS PAUSE.
american Canadian High Joint
Commission Takes a Rest
Until August.
SEVERAL REASONS FOR THE ACTION

Principal Among Them Being That OF
Failure To Agree on the Alaska Bound
airy Question - Difference on Schemes
| of Arbitration the Trouble.
Washington, Feb. 21.-The American
Canadian joint high commission, after a
session yesterday, adjourned to meet
at Quebec Aug. 2, unless the chairman
OF the respective commissions agree
upon another date. The commission
nrst began its labors nearly six months
ago In Canada, and has with the ex-
,ception OF probably a month been earn
estly at work endeavoring to accomplish
the object for which 1t was appointed,
an agreement with view to the for
mutation Of treaty covering the many
perplexing questions of differences afs
fecting the business interests of the
United States and Canada existing be-
tween them. There were several rea-
sons which prompted the action taken
From a statement made public with the
sanction of the two commissions it ap-
pears there were serious differences Of
opinion between them regarding the
important matter of the delimitation Of
the Alaskan boundary.
Several Reasons for the Recess.
The Canadians in this connection were
anxious to obtain a seaport on the Lynn
canal, so that its shippers would not be
subjected to the petty annoyances which
they asserted they experienced at the
hands Of United States officials. Then
the time for the meeting of the Cana
dian parliament, at which the presence
Of members Of the commission from that
country Is desired. Is overdue and the
latter are anxious to return as 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 it's present session of
any treaty which might be framed,
which also probably figured in the de-
cision to adjourn. 1t was felt also that
an adjournment for few months might
result in better prospect for harmony.
Couldn't Agree on That Line Fence.
Senator Fairbanks, chairman of the
American commission, has repeatedly
stated that there was no basis for the
reports of rupture In the relations of
the two bodies and last night supple
mented this by saying that they were
on the best of terms. On behalf Of
their respective commissions Fairbanks
and Sir Wilfrid Laurier made the fol-
lowing public statement respecting the
action taken yesterday: 1.-The COM
mission has made very substantial
progress in the settlement and adjust
ment Of many Of the questions upon
which 1t has been earnestly engaged
But 1t has been unable to agree upon
the settlement Of the Alaskan bound
airy. The difficulties, apart from the
immediate delimitation of this bound
airy by the commission itself, arise from
the conditions under which 1t might be
referred to arbitration.
Differed as to Style OF Arbitration.
1.-THE British commissioners desired
that the whole question should be
referred on terms similar to those pro-
vided in the reference of the Vene-
zuela boundary line, and which by
providing an umpire would ensure GER
tainty and finality. The United States
commissioners thought the local condi-
lions in Alaska SO different that some
notifications Of the Venezuela bound
airy reference should be introduced.
They thought the reference should be
made to six eminent jurists, three
chosen by each Of the high contracting
parties without providing for an UNI
pire, they believing that f1nality would
be secured by majority vote of the
jurists so chosen. They did not see any
present prospect of agreeing to a Eu-
ropean umpire, to be selected in the
manner proposed by the British COM
missioners, while the British commits
sioners were unwilling to agree to the
selection of an American umpire in the
manner suggested by the United States
commissioners.
Wanted Some Special Stipulations.
1.-THE United States commissioners
further contended that special stipula-
lions should be made in any reference
to arbitration that the existing settle
ments on the tide waters of the coast
should in any result continue to belong
to the United States. To this conten-
ton the British commissioners refused
to agree. 1t was therefore deemed ad-
visable to adjourn to a convenient date
in order to enable the respective gov
ernments to further consider the SUBJ
ject with respect to which no con-
clusion has yet been reached"
REAL PHENOMENAL WEATHER.