Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-02-21
AMERICAN AND CANADIAN C0MMIs-
sIONs FAR APART.
ADJOURNMENT UNTIL AUGUST
HITCH OCCURRED OVER ALASKAN
BOUNDARY QUESTION.
1t Il Hoped That the Canadians VIII
Change Their Minds on ReAec-
tion-Substantial Progress
Made in Settlement Of
Other Questions.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2o.-The American
Canadian joint commission, after session
to-day, adjourned to meet at Quebec
August unless the chairman Of the re-
spective commissions agree upon another
date. The commission first began its labdfs
nearly six months ago in Canada, and
had, with the exception of probably
month, been earnestly at work, endeavor-
ing to accomplish the object for which 1t
was appointed, an agreement with view
to the formulation of a treaty covering
the many perplexing questions of diner.
ences affecting the business interests of the
United States and Canada existing be.
tween them.
There were several reasons which prompt
ed the action taken to-day. From a state
ment made public, with the sanction Of the
two commissions, it appears there were Sc
rious differences Of opinion between them
regarding the important matter of the de-
Limitation Of the Alaskan border, the Cana
dians in this connection being anxious to
obtain a seaport on the Lynn canal, SO
that its shippers would not be subjected
to the petty annoyances which they as
serted they experienced at the hands OF
United States officials. Then the time for
the meeting of the Canadian parliament,
at which the presence of members of the
commission from that country is desired, is
overdue, and the latter are anxious to re-
turn as soon as possible.
1t also became apparent that there was
little likelihood 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.
dozen important questions were re-
ferred to the commission for its considera-
ton, and the commissioners assert that
substantial progress in the settlement and
adjustment of many OF the questions has
| been made. Probably those which have
given the most serious trouble and proved
| a stumbling block to final agreement on
all have been those relating to lumber and
the Alaskan boundary question, on both
Of which the Canadians have demanded
| concessions which the Americans felt 1t
would be prejudiciai to the best interests
| of the United States to grant.
1t was felt also that an adjournment for
| a few months might result in a better
prospect for harmony and disposition on
! the part of the Canadians to agree to
| propositions made to them from the COM
| missioners on this side Of the boundary
line. ---+.--..- -..'.--4--.-. 49, 4
Senator Fairbanks, the chairman of the
/ American commission, has repeatedly stat
| of rupture in the relations of the two
| bodies, and tonight supplemented this by
| saying that they were on the best of terms
| On behalf of their respective commissions
| Senator Fairbanks, the chairman of the
| American board, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier,
| acting chairman in the absence of Lore
| Herschell Of the Canadian board. who Ii
| i'll, made the following public statement re.
| specting the action taken to-day:
THE commission adjourned to meet a
| Quebec August Q, unless the chairman o,
the respective commissions shall agree up
| on another date.
| 1.-The commission has made very sub
| stantial progress in the settlement and ad
justment Of many Of the questions upor
which II has been earnestly engaged, but i
has been unable to agree upon the settle
ment of the Alaskan boundary. This prob
lem has been complicated and difficult bu
| the commissions, acting in the utmos
friendlipess and cordiality. have been un
| able to agree upon a satisfactory adjust
| ment.
1.-THE difficulties. apart from the immedi
ate delimitation of this boundary by tn,
commission itself. arise from the conditions
ton. The British commissioners desired
under which it might be referred to arbitra
| that the whole question should be referred
reference Of the Venezuela boundary line
and which. by providing an umpire. woult
insure certainty and finality.
THE United States commissioners, on tn
other hand, thought the local conditions il
Alaska SO different that some modification
Of the Venezuela boundary reference shout
be introduced. They thought the reference
should be made to six eminent jurists, thre
chosen by each OF the high contractin
parties, without providing for an umpire
they believing that finallty would be Sc
cured by majority vote Of the jurists 81
chosen. They did not see any present pros
pect of agreeing to European umpire t
be selected in the manner proposed by tn
British commissioners. while the British
commissioners were unwilling to agree +
the selection of an American umpire in tn
manner. suggested by the United State
"The United States commissioners fur
ther contended that special stipulation
should be made in any reference to arbitra
ton that the existing settlements on tn
tide waters Of the coast should, in any re
suit, continue to belong the United States
To this contention the British commission
ers refused to agree.
ut was therefore, deemed advisable t
| adjourn to a convenient date in order t
enable the respective governments to fur
| ther consider the subject with respect t