The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-21
TO ADJOURN
JOINT HIGH COMMISSION COULD NOT
REACH AGREEMENT.
Canadians Compelled to Return to OF
tayvn, and Further Negotiations
Were Therefore Postponed.
TWO STUMBLING BLOCKS
LUMBER QUESTION AND THE ALAS
KAN BOUNDARY LINE.
Statement by Senator Fairbanks and
Sir WiIfrid Laurier ON the Status
of Treaty Negotiations.

WASHINGTON, Feb. @.-The American
Canadian joint high commission, after a
session to-day, adjourned to meet at Quebec
Aug. 2 unless the chairmen of the respective
commissions agree on another date. The
commission first began its labors nearly six
months ago in Canada and has with the
exception of probably a month been earn
estly at work endeavoring to accomplish the
object for which it was appointed, an agree
ment with q view to the formulation Of a
treaty covering the many perplexing ques-
lions of differences affecting the business in
terests OF the United States and Canada
existing between them. There were several
reasons which prompted the action taken
to-day. 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 inn
portant matter of the delimitation of the
Alaskan boundary, the Canadians in this
connection being anxious to obtain a sea-
port on the Linn canal so that their ship
pers would not be subjected to the petty
annoyances which. they asserted, they ex-
perienced at the hands of United States Off
Gals. 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 return as soon as possible.
It also became apparent that there was lit
tie likelihood of the possibility of the ratit-
cation 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 it's consideration 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 a final agreement on all have been
the two relating to lumber and the Alaskan
boundary question, on both OF which the
Canadians have demanded concessions
which the Americans felt 1t would pc
prejudicial to the best interests or the
United States to grant. 1t was telt also
that an adjournment for a few months
might result in a better prospect Tor mar
mony and a disposition on the part OF the
Canadians 10 agree to propositions made 10
them from the commissioners on THIS size
Of the boundary line; Senator 1airpanRs'
has repeatedly stated there was no basis for
the reports of a rupture in the relations or
the two bodies and tonight supplemented
this by saying that they were on the pest
on behalf of their respective commissions,
senator EalTDdIhS, dCllu6 Clldli man "a ~
American body, and Sir Wilfred Laurier;
acting chairman in the absence or Loro
Herschell, of the Canadian body, who is III
made the following public statement re-
speeding the action taken to-day:
1.-The commission adjourned to meet at
Quebec, Aug. 2, unless the chairmen or the
respective commissions shall agree upon
another date. The commission has made
very substantial progress in the settlement
and adjustment of many of the questions
on Which il has been earnestly engaged.
But 1t has been unable to agree upon the
settlement Of the Alaskan boundary. Thls
problem has been a complicated and diff
cult one; but the commissioners, acting in
the utmost friendliness and cordiality, have
been unable to agree upon a satisfactory
adjustment.
THE difficulties, apart from the immedi-
ate delimitation of this boundary by the
commission, arise from the conditions under
The British commissioners desire that the
whole question should be referred on terms
similar to those provided in the reference
of the Venezuela boundary line, and which,
by providing an umpire. would insure GER
tainty and finality. The United States
commissioners. on the other hand, thought
the local conditions in Alaska 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 contracting parties
lieving that finality would be secured by a
majority vote of the Jurists so chosen. They
did not see any present prospect OF agree
ing to a European umpire to be selected
in the manner proposed by the British COM
missioners, while the British commission
ton Of an American umpire in the manner