The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-09
LEWIS IN LONDON.
Former Washington Congressman
Trying to Collect Bill.

London, Sept. 9.-Former Congress-
man James H. Lewis arrived here this
week and on Friday presented his Gre
dentials at the United States embassy.
He was cordially received. Mr.. Lewis
is here to press the claims for compen-
sation to the American miners who
We're evicted in the Atlin district of the
Northwest territory by the Canadian
government. The matter of the Amer
lean miners claims against Canada has
already been taken up but no action
viii be taken until the arrival Of Sir
Louis Henry Davies, the Canadian
minister of mines and fisheries who is
coming here to present the other side
of the case.
By that thine the United States am
bassador Mr.. Joseph H Choate will
have the briefs of Mr.. Lewis under con-
sideration The lawyer urges that the
claims be included in the general arbi-
tration by the high commission. Min
lister Davies will object to this, main
tanning that such methods will obstruct
the boundary solution. Mr.. Lewis, in
terview by reporter of the ASsocia-
ted Press, said:
Il hope the claims will be arbitrated
through commission appointed for
that purpose by the joint high commits
sion. am anxious that any action
concerning Alaska be in part dependent
upon the recognition of those claims of
5000 American citizens and that the
United States from whence they come,
will insist upon fair treatment by Great
which has deprived them of their pro-
perty as a great wrong and a violation
of the spirit of the treaty of Washing
ton. Great Britain can well demon
Strate here her desire to maintain the
present friendly relations by assuring
these Americans just treatment. We
desire nothing done which would en-
barrass the present agreeable relations
but we cannot tolerate without protest
the confscation of $50, 600, 900 worth of
property belonging to American citi-
zens.''
Questioned regarding the rumors
that a modus vivendi had been arrived
at in the Alaskan dispute, Mr.. Lewis
said:
Il am certain the United States has
concluded no definite arrangement such
as conceding free ports on the Lynn
canal or Pyramid harbor- Anything
which has possibly been arrived at can
be but temporary, as the American peo-
pie will not tolerate the surrender of
the territory claimed by Canada They
may consent to some concessions of
privileges upon the condition that the
rights of American citizens are cor
respondinglY preserved, including the
claims of these miners I represent.
There is no question over which the
United States would fight sooner than
to prevent another juggling such as
robbed her of what is now British Col
umbia- understand unOfficially that
the high commission will meet in No
vember and expect that the miners
claims will have reached such a status
by that time as will determine by what
authority is to decide their merits
Referring to the Philippine islands,
Mr.. Lewis remarked:
THE Democratic party is intensely
American My individual view is that
of the party. We are in a war. The
honor of the country and the glory of
the flag are at stake. Both must be
maintained at all hazards. After this
is accomplished there is time enough to
dispose of the problems involved
Speaking of the suggested Anglo
American alliance, Mr.. Lewis said:
1.-THE question has not been fully con-
sidered by the American people. Per-
sonalIy, am opposed to it. I regard it
as impracticable and Improbable to us
purely commercial alliance is
enough"
Referring to home politics, Mr.. Lewis
concluded:
''Mr. Bryan will be the nominee and
will be elected. No doubt he will have
the unanimous support of the south
and the whole Pacific coast"
Senator Mark Hanna, previous to
sailing to New York on board the
American liner steamer St Louis to-
day, speaking to a reporter of the AS
sOciated Press on rumors of his re-
tirement from the Republican national
committee, said:
THAT is a question, of course, I am
not permitted to speak about The
present committee remains in force
until after the national convention is
opened next year. Whether I am Sc
lected as chairman or not, I will GER
tainly be in the contest and will give
half of the Republican party