Union gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1899-1900, 1899-12-08
GREAT BRITAIN AND CANADA.

Alaska boundary Contention and
Other Unsettled Questions.
In my last annual message, I referred to
the pending negotiations with Great Brit
ain in respect to the Dominion of Canada.
BY means of an executive agreement,
joint high commission had been created
for the purpose of adjusting all unsettled
questions between the United States and
Canada, embracing IL subjects, among
which were the questions of the fur seals,
the fisheries of the coast and contiguous
inland waters, the Alaska boundary, the
transit of merchandise in bond the alien
labor laws, mining rights, reciprocity in
trade, revision of the agreement respect
ing naval vessels in the Great Lakes,
more complete marking of parts of the
boundary, provision for the conveyance of
criminals, and for wrecking and salvage.
Much progress had been made by the
commission toward the adjustment of
many of these questions, when 1t became
apparent that an irreconcilable difference
of views was entertained respecting the
delmitation of the Alaska boundary. In
the failure of an agreement TO the mean
ing of articles iii and iv Of the treaty of
1925 between Russia and Great Britain.
which defined the boundary between Alas
ka and Canada, the American commission
ers proposed that the subject of the
boundary be laid aside, and that the re-
naming questions of difference be pro-
ceeded with, some of which were so far
advanced as to assure the probability Of
Settlement. This being declined by the
British commissioners. an adjournment
was taken until the boundary should be
adjusted by the two governments. The
subject has been receiving the careful at
tention which its Importance demands,
with the result that a modus vivendi for
provisional demarkations in the region
about the head of Lynn canal has been
agreed upon, and 1t is hoped that the
n a No in, r1rn hnf a
two governments will end in an agree
ment for the establishment and delimita-
ton of permanent boundary.
Attitude In AnglO-BOer War.
Apart from these questions growing out
of our relationship with our northern
neighbor. the most friendly disposition
and ready agreement have marked the
discussion of the numerous matters aris-
ing in the vast and intimate intercourse
of the United States with Great Britain.
This government has maintained an attl-
tude of neutrality in the unfortunate con-
test between Great Britain and the Boer
states of Africa. We have remained
faithful to the precept of! avoiding en-
tangiing alliances as to affairs not of our
own direct concern. Had circunst tances
suggested that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kind expression
of the hope of the American people that
the war might be averted, good offices
would have been gladly rendered. The
United States representative at Pretoria
was early instructed to see that all neutral
American interests be respected by the
combatants. This has been an easy task,
in view of the positive declarations OF
both British and Boer authorities that the
personal and property rights Of our citi-
zens should be observed
Upon the withdrawal of the British
agent from Pretoria, the United States
consul was authorized, upon the request
of the British apd will
assent of the South African and Orange
Free State governments, to exercise the
customary good offices of a neutral for
the care of British interests. In the dis
charge of this function am happy to say
that abundant opportunity has been af-
forded to show the impartiality of this
government to both the combatants for
the fourth time in the present decade.