The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-28
SIR WILFRID EXPLAINS
CANADA CLAIMS TWO AMERICAN CIT
les, BUT WILL ARBITRATE.
Was Willing to Compromise on the
Alaskan boundary at One Time,
but mt His own Terms.

OTTAWA. July 27-"And war Is not 10
be thought Of said Sir wilfrid Laurer. In
the Canadian Parliament. in qualifying his
statement that. inasmuch as negotiations
for the settlement of the Alaskan boundary
had failed. the only two possible ways OF
settling il were arbitration or war. The
Canadian premier has given the New York
Herald an explanation of the contention
of Canada.
las a member OF the commission and
participant in the negotiations" he replied.
Il am not at liberty 10 give TO the public,
any more than / have already done. infor-
nation bearing on the difference between
US and the United States. 1 think / can
say this much in explanation, however:
Practically the whole dispute now is cir
cumseribed TO the question of the establish
ment of the boundary line in the region OF
the Lynn canal. The public Is aware that
the Canadian contention is that the line
crosses the Lynn canal near its entrance.
whereas the American contention is that
the line goes around the Lynn canal, leav-
ing the entire canal in American territory.
IL the contention were reduced TO the exact
location of the line 1 think the solution
n light prove TO be of comparative ease. But
the Americans have establishments at
Skagway and Dyea. In our view the Amer
leans at that point are on British territory,
but we have to recognize the fact that they
are there all the same.
''At one time we thought we could have
made the compromise and arranged the
boundary by conventional agreement and
mutual concessions. I am betraying no
secret when / say that the commission
could not agree on such compromise.
Therefore, as we cannot agree among our
selves we must ask the assistance of
friendly arbitrators. The points to be sub
mitted to the arbitrator might be the fol-
lowing:
'First-Which is the right Interpretation
Of the treaty in regard TO the location OF
the boundary line on the Lynn canal? Is
ii the Canadian or the American conten-
ton?
.Second-In the event of the arbitrators
declaring that the Canadian contention Is
the right one. then the subsidiary considera-
position shall be made of Dyea and Skag-
way. which are American settlements?
I'VE think that the Venezuelan treaty OF.
fers a precedent for the solution of that
question. / am aware that the American
authorities contend there is difference be-
tween the m iss ANA abs tae
they allege Canada never protested against
| the American occupation of Skagway and
Dyysa .,,. .,...,o. - no,,,
of fact But even if it were founded on
| fact the arbitrators would have TO consd-
or what equities might arise therefrom and
decide accordingly. Though ] have strong
views on this point myself. for obvious rea-
| sons i refrain from expressing them"
I'm case this matter cannot be submitted
| to arbitration. is Canada in favor of settling
| IL by WARP" Sir Wilfrid was asked.
Nobody wants war" he replied quickly.
| II distinctly said when j called attention
| to the fact that the negotiations had failed
| and that the question could only be set
i tied by arbitration or war. that war was
out of the question and not to be thought
| of. i will go further, and say that war
| over this or any other question would be
| criminal.
I'VE ought to have the most cordial inter-
| course and the closest commercial relations
| with the United States. We think we do
/ not always get them We think we do not
/ always get commercial justice. Though a
| small nation, we buy more from you than
| you buy from us. But some day will
| turn the tables on you, and will get the
| best Of the bargain. and that is all the
| revenge We want from YOU"
| DO you know whether the initiative is
being taken by Great Britain looking 10
| making a proposal to arbitrator"
/ The premier repealed the question "You
| must not ask me-" said he.
| "Will you discuss the old proposition now
coming forward again, that Canada be sat
| isf1ed with a free port. say at Pyramid har-
| bor the entire Lynn canal remaining under
| United States sovereignty?"
| Il know nothing about that" he replied.