The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-27
WAR WOULD BE CRIMINAL.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canadian Premier
Speaks of the Boundary Dispute.


New York, July "a special to the
Herald from Ottawa says:
And war is not to be thought Of said
Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the Canadian par
Lament, in qualifying. his statement that
ment of the Alaskan boundary had failed,
rhe only two possible ways of settling it
The Canadian premier today gave to the
Herald an explanation of the contention
of Canada
LAS a member of the commission and
participant in the negotiations he re
PAe1, am NOT AT nperty 10 SlNe 70 the
public any more than have already done,
tween US and the United states: Ihlnk
/ can say this much II. explanation, how
Practically the whole dispute now is
eircurnscribed to the question Of the es-
region of the Lynn canal The public is
aware that the Canadian contention is
its entrance, whereas, the American con-
tention is that the line goes around the
Lynn canal, leaving the entire canal in
IF the contention were reduced to the
exact location of the line, I think the So
luton might prove to be of comparative
ease. But the Americans have establish
ments at Skaguay and Dyea In our
view the Americans at that point are on
British territory but we have to recog-
nize the fact that they are there all the
''At one time we thought we could have
boundary by conventional agreement and
mutual concessions. I am betraying no
secret when I say that the commissions
could not agree on such a compromise.
''Therefore, as we cannot agree among
ourselves, we must ask the assistance OF
friendly arbitrators. The points to be
submitted to the arbitrators might be the
following:
''Ffrstowhich is the right Interpretation
the boundary line on the Lynn canal? Is
Il the Canadian or the American cOnten-
''second-In the event of the arbftrators
declaring that the Canadian contention
is the right one then the subsidiary con-
stderation would have to be decided: What
sSilsp0SlLlon ), snaIl pc made OF (ye3 and
oEag quay, " men are, american settlements
We think that the Venezuela treaty Of
1ers precedent 1or the solution of that
question. 1 am aware that the Ameri-
can authorities contend that there is a
dent ana the case now to be disposed of
IN this, that, as they allege, Canada never
ton OF Skaguay and Dyea-
We do not admit this contention in
on fact. the arbitrator would have to con-
slider what equities might arise therefrom
and decide accordingly Though | have
strong views on this point myself. for OBJ
vious reasons refrain from expressing
In case this matter cannot be submit
ted 70 arbitration, is Canada in favor of
ssttIng 1t by warp Sir Wilfrid was ask
Nobody wants war he replied quickly
distinctly said, when called attention
70 the TACT that the negotiations had fall
Z and that the question could only be
settled by arbitration or war, that war
was out Of the question and not to be
Ito thhotsnI OF. VIII go further, and say
would be criminal
we ought 70 have the most cordial in
tercourse and the closest commercial re-
lations with the United States We think
We do not always get them. We think
We 90 not always get commercial Justice.
Ghough a small nation, We buy more from
you than you buy from US. But some day
We viii turn the tables on YOU and 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 to
making a proposal to aFbitrate2'
1he premier repealed the question. ~ on
must not ask me- said he.
viii you discuss the old proposition
now coming forward again, that Canada
would be satisfied with a free port. say
at pyramid harbor. the entire Lynn canal
typ
q know nothing about that" he replied.