The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-26

~ ROBABLY no city In the United
States is more vitality interested IN
u the taiked-of war with Great Britain
over the Alaskan boundary than
Seattle. Much of the information wnicn
would prove the sinews of American arsu-
meat in the controversy over the boundary
has been sent by members Of the joint high
commission from here The visit Of Sena-
tor Fairbanks and other statesmen promi-
nentiy identified with the question on the
American side to Alaska by way Of Seattle
has greatly added to the interest feis IN
the matter here. 10 say nothing OF the di-
rect effect the settlement OF the boundary
vii have on Saattle-Alaska transportation
interests.
Among those who have made study of
the question I'm an its bearings none IL bet
ter qualified TO express view as to the
probable result and present meaning of
the war..ke utterances OF TtIpper AMI
Laurier than Judge Thomas Burke, OF this
city. with whom an interview was sought
yesterday.
There will be no war over the Alasks
boundary" he said emphat.caily Can
ada IL In some respects In the position uf
a second In duel. II IL wei! known that
there is no more fierce or bloodthirsty war
rior on earth than the second In duel.
He = always very solcitous for the honor
OF his principal. and ne Is generally quite
or IS 10 urge his PRINCIPAL to fight Now.
in the case ot this threatened war be-
tween England and the United States over
the Alaska boundary. England occupies
the role or the reluctant principal. Canada
Is the fierce and irresistible second who
is extremely anxious to v.ndicate the hon-
or OF the principal at the principals ex-
pense.
No Base for Canada's Claims.
Between two such countries as the
United States and Great Britain there can
be no war today without some good cause
Tho Alaska boundary furnishes 10 suca
cause. for the reas son that England has nc
ground upon which to base the claim SIT
up By the Canadians Tho records of TIE
Russian foreign office ana the records 'of
eur own offices show conclussvely that the
boundary lire between Alaska and the
British territory Is well defined as the
boundary line between the state OF Maine
and Canada.
'@rhe real reason for the contention OF
the Canadians IS that IL would be very
convenient for them 10 have a port on
LYNN canal. bat that "a no reason why
we should give them such port 1t
would he stiil more convenient for Can
ada TO have a winter port on the Atlantic
cosss. to have Portland In the state of
Maine for instance: and there would
he Just as much reason I'm demand on
the part os the Canadians for a port on
the coast of Maine as for a port en Lynn
canal The Alaska boundary lire was
settled in ts2s between England and Rus
sin and was practically affirmed in iss3
and Ixa In lss- N. United States. after
negotiations extending over csH1sidera-
bic period of time. openly purchased
Alaska from Russia bnunded by the line
settled between Russia and England IN
fsr& England 81 that time raised no
objection 10 this purchase. made no quss-
ton abeist the boundary. and Il ts only
vithfn the last few years that even the
Canadians pretended 10 assert claim to
any por; GA Lynn eana,.
AFTER rs purchase frora Russia We es-
- t4fshed our custnrl houses within this
district Garrfsons were stationed AT
several places IN the territory and.
ausaug others a. Fert Tc5gas. rear fne
entrance 10 Portland canal. Lsang before
thn trgsitea Utates purchased AIasks. the
l4uasan's Rav Company obtained a ls&se
from the Russian nseriean Company of
all It's franc hs.es on the mainland be-
asx, "a degrees and - minutes ard MI
81 Elias Al she very time the United
States was negotiating for the rarohnse
/ az Alaska. this same great cosnrary. the
/ H1gasons Bay Company ~as Negotiating
fov r~nez~ag 81 that least % this very
ed territory. Is it az all nkely tsat
the Tnsson's Bay Company. the greatest
+ company that ever represented Great
prs:a4n In q commercial way in fns
Northwest territory. would be asking fer
q lease from Russia. frcEu Russia =
lessee for territory ttsEt belonged 20
Great pTifsiH-
Shouia he No Yiefaing.
s~THefe should tz ~ y{&19sar or teu-
| rorixsax upon shls question TIE toaz-
| szYv nae "a p.aiagy laid Gown and easily