The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-24
SENATOR FAIRBANKS TRIP.
Will Not Talk of Alaska, but Says
Northwest II Booming.

washington Special.
Senator Fairbanks returns 10 Washington
full OF valuable information bearing on the
Alaskan boundary question. The Indiana
senator, who Is also chairman Of the Amer
lean branch of the high joint commission,
visited Alaska on this mission at the special
request of the President. He accordingly
went deeply into the question and person
ally inspected most of the important points
in the disputed zone. The government rev.
enue cutter McCulloch was placed al the
disposal of Senator Fairbanks and his party.
VINO o. mad every facility Tor me prosecution
ton yesterday and will be here several days
In conference with the President and secre-
tary of state.
Like the wise man that he is Senator Fair
banks declines 10 talk on the subject OF his
discoveries in Alaska. reserving his report
for the two chief dgnitaries of the govern
ment. who are having the first wrestle with
the negotiations relating TO the boundary
proposition. IL may be stated. however. that
the American chairman of the high joint
commission does not despair of a successful
and satisfactory conclusion to negotia tons.
This is not in accord with the commonly
accepted theory that these negotiations have
already come to a period-a dead stop as IL
were. IL is unkind TO those who have settled
the question on the agreeing 10 disagree"
theory, but IL is barely possible that the sem
ator has some facts in his possession that
may set the machinery OF palaver going
again and remove friction. He Is industrious
and resourceful. and withal persistent.
l asked the senator pointedly what basis
there was for the general statements given
publicity In interviews with senator Foster,
of Washington, who was a member of his
party. that enough had been learned on the
trip TO make II certain that the United
States would not give up foot of her terri
tory. He asked IL i had not observed an
authoritative denial and Reputation OF the
alleged interview. That, to his mind, ap-
peared 10 be conclusive. He added, however.
possibly in modification. that as he UNDER
stood the matter II was not a question OF
giving up or ''surrendering" territory. but
OF settling the issue Of title and ascertaining
definitely the rightful ownership OF certain
territory. The question OF surrender did not
seem TO be involved. IL might be difficult to
get at all the facts In the case. but IL was
clear that the distinguished Indianian saw
no good reason for abandoning efforts TO
reach an adjustment OF differences because
both sides could not at once see the entire
situation with the same eyes.
The senator spent some little time on the
Pacific coast and In the Northwest He saw
everywhere evidences of new and splendid
were booming. There was work for everys
body, and he never once heard a note OF dis
content. The most gratifying thing he OBJ
served In his entire Northwestern trip was
the multiplied proof that Popul.sm Is dead.
The return OF prosperity has sounded Its
death knell. and IL Is a corpse beyond the
hope OF resurrection. People have no time TO
talk nonsense. The day OF idleness and re-
pining is past The era OF new Developments
OF Northwestern and Western resources has
filled the people with the buoyant expecta-
ton OF continued prosperity and material
progress. They are not looking backward TO
inquire why they were hard UP In the re-
mote past.