New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-28
CANADA BLOCKS THE WAY.
HER DEMAND FOR PYRAMID HARBOR,
IN ALASKA. REFUSED.
AN EXTRAORDINARY CONDITION At
TACHED TO ARBITRATIoN-CAUsE OF


THE DEADLOCK IN NEGOTIATIONS.
Washington. May 27-To clear up misunder-
standings which appear to exist both In London,
and. to some extent in this country, as to the
exact status Of the negotiations between the
United States and Great Britain respecting
Canadian American issues the following state
ment Of the occurrences which led to the pres
ent condition Of affairs has been secured from
the best of authority:
When the Joint High Commission adjourned
1t was because 1t had reached an apparently in
surmountable obstacle In the shape Of the Alas
kan boundary question. After the adjournment
the two governments took UP this question with
view to settling it and thus removing it from
the path Of the many other important issues in
voved. There numerous delays, owing
to the need Of exchanging views between Lon
don, Washington and Ottawa, and the author-
ties here became convinced that an adjustment
was hopeless. But the feeling in London was
more hopeful, and when Sir Julian Pauncefote
reached London on his way to The Hague ne
held conferences with Lord Salisbury which
resulted in definite proposal for settling the
boundary issue and removing it an obstacle
to the work of the Commission The chief point
OF this proposal was that separate tribunal Of
arbitration should pass the boundary ques-
tion. It was communicated to Ambassador
Choate and by him to the State Department.
OFFICIALS SURPRISED AND INDIGNANT.
When the plan was received the President was
at Hot Springs and It was felt desirable to
await his return before giving a final answer
There was little or no doubt that the answer
would be 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 question to arbitration This condition was
that in any event. Canada should have Pyramid
Harbor and a strip of territory on the Lynn
Canal without reference to the general con-
clusions reached by the tribunal Of arbitration.
This port and the strip of territory on the coast
would have carried also the back country lead
ing to the interior.
This condition, coming after the arbitration
plan had been formally proposed and was about
to be accepted, caused not only surprise but
some degree Of Indignation among the officials
here. After canvassing the situation, the view
prevailed that Canada wanted arbitration which
would insure a favorable decision her side,
or else II the decision unfavorable would
give her rights in Pyramid Harbor and on the
Lynn Canal contrary to the general decision
of the .arbitrators. 1t was decided not to ac-
cept this condition, and a peremptory refusal
was given to the proposition.
Thus the matter stands. There is every rea-
son to believe that the officials here will not
Weld to Canada's condition II it is withdrawn
arbitration may yet be arranged as means OF
settling the boundary The opinion in the high
est quarters seems to be positive that without
some such adjustment of the boundary mat
ter the resumption of work by the Joint High
Commission on the many other topics considered
is improbable