The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-30

A Statement Of Events that LSS lip TO
the Present Strained Relations

the Present Strained Relations
Washington. May z7.-To clear up
misunderstanding which appear TO az
list both in London and to some degree
in this country. as TO the exact status
Of the negotiations between the United
States and Great Britain respecting
Canadian-American issues. the follow
ing statement of events that led up to
the present conditions was secured
from the best authority:
When the commission adjourned some
months ago, il was because IL had
reached an apparent insurmountabls
obstacle in the shape Of the Alaskan
boundary question. After the adjourn
| ment the two governments took up this
| particular question with a view 10 set
Ting it and thus removing it from the
path OF the many other important is
sues involved. Their were numerous
delays, owing to the need Of exchange
| of views between London, Washington
| and Ottawa, I'd the autkc- rites here
became convinced that an adjustment
was hopeless.
The feeling in London was more
! hopeful, and when Sir Julian Pauhce-
fote reached London On his way TO the
Hague, he held conferences with Lord
Salisbury, which resulted in 4 definite
proposal for settling the boundary is
sue and removing Il as an obstacle TO
the work of the commission. The main
point of this proposal was that 4 sep
arate tribunal of arbitration should
pass on the boundary question. 1t was
communicated to Ambassador Cho2te.
and by him to the state department.
When the plan was received, the
, president was absent at Hot Springs,
Va, and it was felt desirable TO await
his return before giving a final answer.
There was little or no doubt that the
answer would have been favorable.
Just as the acceptance was about to be
given, the officials here were surprised
to have presented what they regarded
as an extraordinary condition which
Canada imposed in connection with the
submission of the situation of the
question to arbitration. This condition
was that in any event Canada should
nave Pyramid harbor n a strip or
territory on the Lynn canal without
reference to the general c~onSlusionS
reached by the tribunal of arbitration.
This port and the strip OF territory on
the coast would have carried also the
back country leading to the interior
This condition, coming after the arbl-
odd iTTBmIoJ us9q pBu SUED uoEeI
posed and was about to be accepted,
caused not only surprise, but some de-
gree of indignation among the of1clals
here. After canvassing the situation,
the view prevailed that Canada want
ed arbitration which would insure a
favorable decision on her side or else
if the decision was unfavorable, wouio
give her rights in Pyramid harbor and
on the Lynn canal contrary to the gen
eral decision of h arbitration.
1t was decided not tt accept this con-
dition, and a p~eremptory refusal was
given to the proposition. Thus the
matter stands. There is every reason
to believe that there will be no yield
ing of the officials here to Canada's
condition. If it is withdrawn the arbi-
tration may yet be arranged as a means
of settling the boundaries. The opin'
ion in the highest quarters seems to be
positive that without some such ADJUST
ment of the boundary matter, the re.
! sumption of the work of the joint
commission on the many other topic:
considered is highly improbable.
REJOICING IN CANADA.
St. Johns, n. F., May 27.-The an
: nouncement of the failure Of the join
high comission negotiations gives gen
: eral satisfaction here, because it vii
enable the colony to independ
!, ent negotiations with the United
: States for reciprocity in fishery pro
ducts, which the Americans are desir
Gus to concede in return for unhamp
cred admission to the bait supply IL
t New Foundland waters. 1t is believed
here, that, in view of Canada's failure
, the British government will not objec
| to New Foundland making a separat
arrangement.