The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-21
THE ALASKA AGREEMENT.
TEXT OF THE MODUS TIVENDI FIX
ING A BOUNDARY LIVE.

No Surrender Of Territory by This Govern
ment-The Entire Valley of Porcupine
Creek Included within the American
Lins-A Triumph for Secretary Hay
WASHINGTON. oct. 20.-Aiter many embar-
RAISING delays the modus vivsndi between
Great Britain aud the United States. es-
tablishing provisional boundary line
between that part OF Alaska ana 'ho
British Northwest adjacent to the Mon
dixie and Porcupne region gold fields went
into operation to-day. The concluding act
was the delivery to Secretary Hay OF note
from Regi maid Tower. the British CharRo
dAfIaires In Washington. III which Mr. rover
in behalf Of his Government formally ac-
cepted Mr.. Hays definition OF the poun-
diary. Everybody officially concerned In
this arrangement. particularly MT. nay
and the officers OF the state Department.
!, very much gratfed. The danger OF clash
botween the rival miners in the disputed ter
,,,ory has been disposed Of. and the fear that
,be tvo governments might become involved
through hostile meeting OF American soldiers
md Canadian mounted police does not now
exist.
While the establishment OF the provisional
boundary cannot be regarded asa victory for
oither side it is unquestonaby true that the
I.,i,sd states Government secured everything
rhlch IL demanded in the way OF concessions.
Gra,t Britain has not secured port on tide
r,,ar and the nearest point in British
territory to stream leading to tdeWater
hat ia navgabls 10y canoes Is mile and
half distant. The head OF navigation proper
IA twenty-five and one-quarter statute miles
IN tho American side Of the provisional boun-
diary. slight concession otterritoryto dreat
Rrit,in was necessary in order to moro clearly
.en.,bs line but this does not benefit British
,,o-ssts in anv way, as the line Is so drawn as
IN. United States control OF all the
nassss Leading to the kondike and tho Porcu-
nine country from tidewatcr.
Th, agreement follows the precedent estab-
uahad by secretary Evarts In 1873. in agreeing
mon a temporary boundary on the stlckine
River in Alaska by an exchange OF notes. IN
der the modus the line on the Chilkoot River Is
noL ,t7tute miles from the head OF navigation
on Chilkoot Inlet OF Lynn Canal. and on the
KIehini River twelve statute miles farther
inland. and the whole valley OF Porcupine
Creek In included within the American line.
On White aud ChiIkoot passes the line Is
fixed at the summit. or watershed. being tho
points which have for some time past been
obssryed by the customs authorities OF the two
countries On the Dyea and Skagway trails the
line agreed upon is marked by the summit OF
Chilkoot and White passes. The following 10
the text OF the agreement
TT is hereby agreed between the Govern
that the boundary line between Canada and
the territory OF Alaska in the region about the
head OF Lynn Canal. shall be Professionally
fixed. without prejudice to the claims OF either
party in the permanent adjustment OF the inter-
national boundary. as follows:
In the region Of the Dalton Trail. line be-
ginning at the peak west OF Porcupine Creek.
marked on the map No 10 OF the United
States Commission. Dec 81. 1895. and on sheet
- - .ha Dritie ,iaaIn
1852 with the No. $500: thence running
to the Kehini Tor KIahes.al River in the direc
ton Of the peak north OF that river. marked
1920 on the aforesaid United States map and
5.u25 on the Aforesaid British map: thence fol-
lowing the high or right bank OF the said
klehn River to the junction thereof with the
Chilkat River. mile and half. more or less,
forth Of klukwan-prcyided that persons pro-
,eeding to or from Porcupine Creek shall be
freely permitted to follow the trail between the
said creek and the said junction OF the rivers.
into and across the territory the Cana
dian side OF the temporary line wherever
the trail crosses to such side. and subject to
such reasonable regulations for the pro-
lection Of the revenue as the Canadian Gov
eminent may prescribe. to carry with them
over such part or parts OF the trail between
the said points as may lie on the Canadian side
OF the temporary line such goods and articles
any customs duties on such goods and
articles; and from said junction TO the summit
OF the peak east OF the Chilkat River. marked
on the Aforesaid map mum Der 10 OF the United
States commission with the number $40 and
on the man number II OF the aforesaid British
Commission with the nnmhe $3.50
on the Dyea and SkaRway trails. the sum-
mits OF the Chilkoot and White passes.
Misunderstood as formerly set forth in COM
munications of the Department Of State Of the
United States that the citizens or subjects OF
either power found by this arrangement within
the temporary jurisdiction OF the other shall
eRes which they now enjoy.
The Government OF the United States will
Mt once appoint an officer or officers. in con-
junction with AN officer or officers to be named
ty the Government OF her Britannia Majesty.
10 mark the temporary line agreed upon blythe
erection OF posts stakes. or other appropriate
temporary marks
The arrangement OF tho provisional bound
nry is reCardci in government aud diplomatic
c.rrlrs here as triumph for Secretary Hay.
Mr. Tower is also praised for his part i'll bring
question. After the Brtish-American Joint
High Commission decided to adjourn sine die,
about tho Alaska Ionniary. Mr., Hay took that
matter w systematically. and the result has
demonstrated that ona determined. tactful
nan can accomrl ish that which a dozen at
There is no surrender OF territory by this
hoy"rnment under the agreement. The
rights Of either uarty are not praiudiced by it.
A. an example II how he arrangement will he
regard JED by The American citizens most con-
cerr"d it is stated that the agent Of the Dalton
iGter'st1 in the klOndlke country has expressed
the nodus. The Dalton. own much valuable
property in the gold region. Their agent came
here few days ago to protest against the
m"tus having been informed that 1t provided
tory o Great Britain. When informed OF tho
terms Of the agreement. he expressed himself