Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-24
CANADA'S NEW OFFER
Willing to Arbitrate Alaskan Bound
airy Under Certain Conditions.
MUST RETAIN PYRAMID HARBOR
Gives Up Claim to Dyea and Ska
quay as Offset.
ALSO COMEDIES GOLD FIELDS

LONDON, October 24.-The Associated
Press is enabled to give authoritativeiy
C&nada's final proposition for a permanent
settlement of the Alaska dispute. 1t is
very different from her former demands,
and was delivered to United States Ambas
sador Choate by the Canadian minister of
marine and fisheries, Sir Louis Henry Da-
vies, late last night before the latter sail
ed. The proposition was dispatched today
to Washington by the officials of the
United States embassy. 1t is as follows:
That the boundary line be arbitrated
upon terms similar to those imposed by the
United States and Great Britain over Ven
ezuela, particularly those provisions max
ing fifty years occupancy by either side
conclusive evidence of title occupancy of
less than that period to be taken as equity
allows under international law.
THAT, as condition precedent to and
absolutely preliminary to arbitration, Skag-
uay and Dyea would be conceded to the
United States without further claim, if
Canada received Pyramid harbor.
In other words Canada gives up much
of the disputed gold country in return for
a seaport, but stipulates that she must get
the latter before she agrees to arbitrate the
boundary line
Proposition Was Unexpected.
The propositions of Sir Louis Henry Da-
vies were made privately and were, APP
parently, the result of an expected COM
munication from his government, for Sir
Louis, the day previous, expressed no
fnkling that he was empowered to make
such sweeping proposals. The Canadian
statesman, heretofore. has insistently de-
MED the United States contention that Dyea
and Skaguay must first be coded to the
United States before further treating on the
subject, and his sudden change of front
and the concession of two such important
points are apparently intended a coup,
and MIR. Choate was found, to certain ex-
tent unprepared. The only reply he could
make was that he would inform the author
tiles at Washington and await their adj
vices, as his instructions did not contem-
plate such d change of base by Canada
The Associated Press is reliably informed
that Canadas new position was greatly in
huenced by imperial pressure, and it can be
stated definitely that Mr.. Chamberlain adj
vlsed concession as much as possible in or
der to gain port of entry free from United
States control, with the professed reason
that commercial advantages would accrue
therefrOm. But it is said that the Interior
motive is to increase British naval strength
by making Pyramid harbor a strong naval
station
Regarding the probable action of the
United States in these altered conditions
British official opinion is that, the United
states having been granted Dyea and
Skaguay, cannot refuse to accept the iden-
Iitdl IOIH Ol dFDlITdI1On they cDmDEllei
England to take toward Venezuela This
course Is contingent upon the United States
deciding that the old Boring country is
more valuable than Pyramid harbor
Lewis Opposes the Scheme
Ex-Congressman James H. Lewis, who
conferred with Messrs. Davies and Choate
regarding the claims of the American min
ers involved in the disputed territory, OPP
posed giving up Pyramid harbor. He point
..6
have an important depot for the store
houses and shipping, whence she could
seriously underseH the United States and
injure her trade in the orient, and also that
Great Britain would secure iDyaIuab HE
strategeical advantages.
AT the commissions next sitting Minister
Dawes strongly opposed the claims which
ne represented being considered In con-
Junction with the boundary dispute and
Mr.. Choate upheld this view, though Mr.
Lewis had succeeded In securing the assur-
ance that they will be treated in conjunc-
ton with Canada's claims for seal destruc-
ton. Mr.. Lewis said to a representative of
the Associated Press: Il am satisfied with
the success of my mission. 1t Is sure the
American miners will now get justice"
Mr.. Lewis has been seriously ill, but re-
covered sufficiently to attend the confer
ences before Minister Davies departure
he mas been hOnored by the British Off
/ Gals, receiving courtesies in the house of
| commons from the speaker, and attend
| eG the opening of the law courts in com
| pany with ex-President Harrison and Mr.
Choate and Intends sailing with Mr. Har-
| rlson for home on the American line steam
| er st. Paul next Saturday
Summary of Old Claims.
1t is learned at the State Department
| that the proposition as to permanent
Alaskan boundary laid down by Sir Louis
| Davies is nothing more nor less than a
| summary of claims
When the commission was in session last
spring and the Canadian proposition was
made to settle the boundary question by ar
| bitration, the American commissioners To-
| piled with offer to accept arbitration
| with the proviso that no point occupied nv
Americans for a specified term of years
| should be submitted to arbitration
| In other words, the term was so fixed
mat by no possibility could the title to
, Skaguay, Dyea or any other place that the
Americans had occupied for period repre-
field be called into question by the arbitra-
| ton. " '--- {"
| This was one of the final propositions re-
| Jected by the Canadian commissioners
| which caused the failure of the Joint con-
| ference. VA
Since that time there have been several
| suggestions in the nature of compromises.
! ana included among these was one like that
| embodied in Sir Louis Davies latest prop
| ositlon, namely, that the United States
| should confirm the Canadian title to Pvra-
| mia harbor in return for Canadian confirma-
| ton OF American title to Skaguay and
| DYea.
| No Right to Pyramid Harbor
| 1t Is not possible to accurately forecast
| the view that the State Department will
| take of this last proposition, but 1t may be
| proper to recall the fact that, in the opin-
| ION of the department. Canada has no more
| claim to Pyramid harbor than 1t has to
| Skaguay and Dyea, and the British gov
| eminent has already been Informed of that
| belef on the part of the State Depart
| ment.
! Therefore, 1t seems probable that Sir
| Louis Davies proposition will not material
| ly advance permanent settlement of the
| boundary question, and that the two coun-
| tries Will continue to act for some time to
! come under the terms of the modus viyendi
| arranged by Secretary Hay and Mr. Tower,
| CASTRO THE, IMAM