The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-06
A NEW ALASKA BOUNDARY.
GREAT BRITAIN EXPECTED TO AGREE
TO 4 MODUS TiGENDI.

The Proposed Agreement Does Not Give
May Get One on the Lynn Canal Later
Prospects of Permanent Agreement.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.-The prospect OF an
agreement betweeu Great Britain and the
United States In the Alaska boundar coutro-
versy is considered here to be very good in-
deed. The most gratifying feature OF the situa-
ton is the apparent decision of Great Britain
not to be dominated any longer by the radical
and what are considered to be the unreason-
able views OF the Canadian authorities. Since
this detcrm nation on tn" part Of the British
Government has been indicated. the negotla-
lions have proceeded smoothly and the two
Governments are now working more harmo-
niously than at any other time since the bound.
AIRY question became acute.
1t is regarded rs likely that mulus vivendi
will be concluded within n very short time.
perhaps within week or ten days. The nego-
tiations ara being conducted very secretly. and
little Of their actual character can be ascer-
tanned. From what was learned to-day. how
ever. it is fair to assume that Great britain
has expressed a willingness to aoamion all
demand for Il free port on the Lynn Canal
pending final adjustment of the entire
matter.
1t is understood that the regotia;ors have
practically agreed on n provisional boundary
line when Is to he recognized by both cOun-
tries until the permanent adjustment Is
affected. This boundary. it is said on
good authority. is to follow the line OF
the Canadian custom houses except in
that territory Immediately to tho north
Of the head waters OF the Lynn Canal.
II is understood that the demarkation
OF the custom houses will be abandoned in
n rapipu n MI tho lima n au,n mi M
Of junction Of the Chilcat and Tlehini Rivers
to the Canadian custom house at Chilkoot
Pass. The Chilkat and Tlehin Join at point
Just above the village Of Klukwan. which is at
the head Of canoe navigation on Chilkat Inlet.
a stream running into the Lynn Canal. This
allows kukwan to be retained on the Ameri-
can side OF the line.
The proposed arrangement docs not give
Great Britain port on tdew er a nd that coun-
try has seemingly gained little practical adj
vantage by being permitted to advance a few
miles nearer to the coveted tidewater ports in
the territory Of the United States.
The negotiators have not reached any agree
ment as to whether the modus vvend shall
be operative for a specific length OF time.
but suggestions have been made that it
shall run for a year. to begin some time
in the near future, perhaps in November
next. II the hopes OF both Governments
| are realized in regard to the modus vvendi
| the term OF its existence will be de-
! voted to earnest efforts to come to per-
manent understanding. There will DO no
meeting OF the British American Joint High
| Commission until assurance has been obtain ed
that a treaty for a complete adjustment OF all
the existing differences can be agreed upon.
| There ia reason to believe that an informal
understanding has been reached that in
the event OF the Arrangement OF modus
vivendi. the negotiations looking to a perma-
nent adjustment shall proceed on the basis OF
granting Great Britain a free port on the Lynn
Canal under conditions entirely satisfactory to
tho United States.