The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-21
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY
TEMPORARY LINE MAY DE AGREED
On TO AVERT A CLASH.
Modus yivendi Discussed by secrp-
arty Hay and SIR Julian Pnuncefote
-Govcrnor Brady's Warning.

WASHINGTON. March 9O.-The British
ambassador. Sir Julian Pauncefote. con-
ferrod to-day with Secretary Hay sn refer
ence. il is understood. to a modus vivendi
TO be observed along the Alaska border I'm
order 10 obviate the possibility Of clash
pending the final delinlitation OF the border
The need OF this has been emphasized with
in the last few days by reports OF a battle
between the Canadian and the American
prospectors on the Porcupine river. These
reports have caused considerable uneasiness
in official circles in London. and efforts have
been made 10 learn the facts. There has
been no official information, however. Ell
Their here or in London. Just such clash
has been expected, and the reports have
served to direct the attention OF officials to
the need OF effecting a border arrangement.
The preliminary move in this direction was
made as soon as the Anglo-American COM
mission adjourned without settling the bor-
Ger question. Sir Julian then suggested that
temporary arrangement be made. This
would maintain the status quo. each side
making no further advance pending a final
agreement on the boundary.s. A temporary
line probably would be run bSssthe two gov
ernments This would not affect permanent
interests. but would serve as a legal barrier
between the lawless fortune-seekers i'm that
locality. The plan is favorably received on
both sides and is likely to be carried into
effect, although no agreement has been en-
tered into thus far
Important statements concerning the boun-
daytime situation are given IN official
correspondence now file in the State
and Interior Departments which has never
before been made public. Governor Brady.
pf aclya
of February. called attentiop to the ex-
tremely Threatening condition of affairs.
On Feb. p Governor Brady, who was here,
had a conference with both Secretary Bliss,
who was then just leaving the Cabinet and
Secretary Hay. in which he urged that the
aggressive acts OF the Canadians should be
promptly met. He submitted a formal note
of warning of the impending trouble and the
possibility OF bloodshed. The note was con-
sidered at the next Cabinet meeting. On
Feb Is, the archives show, the Governor
submitted formal communication to the
secretary Of the Interior in which he
speaks of the bitter feeling along the line
that made the presence Of troops, in his
opinion, imperative, and among other things
says:
''The Canadians from our way of looking
at matters, have constantly shown a spirit
OF agSressiVeneSs, so far as the boundary
Instances. There Is point on the Stikine
river which for years has. been regarded
Upon the boundary line. Thousands OF
miners have passed up and down the river.
merchants have done an immense business,
and this was always recognized as the
boundary line. An American citizen is
operating quartz ledge six miles below the
recognized boundary. The Canadian Off
Gals have gone down six miles below him.
compel him to pay pay duties on his supplies
which he carries in to operate this ledge.
Last year, in February. an order went out
10 the customs official of the mounted po-
lice to move from the recognized stations
on the boundary line TO the summit of the
passes. Our people had no notification OF
such intention, but they made the move,
and some OF our citizens were at that time
in favor of going up and compelling them
TO move back by force; but when I was
sounded upon ii, of course / peremptorily
forbade any such act 1 took the trip TO
the summit of Chilcat pass and found the
British nag lying there ana the customs
officials collecting duties from all who had
their goods piled up there upon the snow.
1 asked the officer in charge by what au-
summit, and he replied by the command OF
his superior officer. Now, our customs Off
Gals at Skagway have not recognized these
lines so far as sending conveys over with
British goods. The conveys get compen-
sation from the persons they convoy. so far
as Log Cabin. the point from which the
British moved to the summit of the White
pass.
Recently the news has reached Us here
that two conveys were imprisoned for two
days for undertaking TO continue TO convoy
as far as Log Cabin. Late last autumn the
gold diggines We're discovered on a creek
called POrcupine creek, which is a tribu-
tary To the Chilcat river, which is upon
the third trail-namely. the Dalton or Chill
cat. These discoveries are proving 10 be
rich. and they are very close 10 the thirty
mile limit, where also we always nave re-
garded the boundary line. The claims have
been worked during the winter and people
are satisfied Of their richness. and many men
have gone in with stocks of goods and pro-
pose to start in business with the prospect
Of a lively mining season. 1nls lmmlgra-
ton has been extensive. from the fact that
few weeks ago the Parliament of British
Columbia passed an alien act which would
throw part of the intended immigration into
the Atlin country into the Porcupine district
instead The same aggressiveness which
has been shown upon the Stikine and upon
the passes would impel the Canadians 20
move down and claim this country as De-
| longing TO them.
II think / know the temper of our peo-
| pie and feel sure In saying that II such a
| step is attempted on the part OF the cana
dams conflict will ensue. 'Ihis danger is so
imminent that deem ii wise that our troops
| in Alaska be ordered TO take possession OF
these lines and maintain our sovereignty
over the soil which we claim see no other
step for TO take If We want 10 AVOID a
conflict with Great Britain. regard the
Porcupine district especially as the point OF
Secretary Hay, on Feb. %. wrote to the
Interior Department a letter In which he
adverts TO the boundary negotiations. among
other
of the coast boundary line between Prince
of Wales island and Mt. St. Elias there
are but two localities in which boundary
has been professionally established pending
the eventual determination OF the entire
question of the frontier - namely, on the
Stickine river and at the passes nortn OF
Dyea and Skagway." Continuing, secretary
Hay SAYS: THE location OF the so-called
Panhandle boundary line between Alaska
and the British Northwestern Territory Is
now under negotiation. without agreement
so far. Until the two governments shali
reach an accord as no the dennitlNe ooun-
| dairy IL would appear that the point pro-
visionally located on the Stickine river
| should be respected by both governments as
| a modus vivendi without prejudice 10 the
final fixation of the line. The very iuh re-
port of the Canadian engineer, MT Joseph
Hunter should. il * thought, sufilce 10 df-
| termine whether there has since been such
encroachment upon the jurisdiction OF the
| Unitd States as is alleged In Governor Bra
| dy's letter" .-.s.-
Secretary Hay concludes by suggesting
| that unless II should distinctly appear that
| the provisional understanding OF January
| and February 1875, has been disregarded py
/ the british agents in the sukine valley TINS
| government should not make complaint or
I inouirv of the Canadian government IN re-
| spect OF the statements