The San Francisco call., 1899-10-21
? ALASKAN MODUS
VIVENDI IN EFFECT
England Accepts Ameri-
can Proposition.
DISPUTE ENDED FOR A TIME
Terms of the Compact Shall Not Pre-
judice the Claims of Either
Nation in Permanent
Adjustment.
DISPUTE ENDED FOR A TIME
Special Dispatch to The Call.


WASHINGTON. oct. 20.-Mr Tower
the British Charge here, called at the
State Department to-day and handed to
Secretary Hay a note formally accepting
for his Government the proposition for
the temporary adjustment Of the Alaskan
boundary line, proposed by Secretary Hay
in his note Of yesterday. With that note
the long-expected modus vivendi relative
10 the veXed boundary question went into
effect The result has been brought about
through the direct negotiation of Secre-
taTy Hay and Mr.. Tower after several
failures in the past The State Depart
ment is confident that it has conserved
the American interests in the matter
without unjustly treating Canada
The divisional line on the west by the
Dalton trail is placed twenty-five and a
quarter miles above Pyramid Harbor,
which IS regarded under the treaty as
tdewater mark, so the Canadians are not
allowed to reach any point or the Lynn
Canal. Moreover, there is no permission
given for free port or even for the free
transfer across American territory Of Ca
madam goods, except of miners belong
ings. These matters may figure later,
when II comes TO a permanent boundary
line, but they are not touched upon in this
mOduS.
The modus vivendi follows the precedent
established by Secretary EVarts in 1878 in
agreeing upon q temporary boundary on
the SuCkine River in Alaska by an ex-
change of notes.
The line on the ChiIkat River is twenty
TWO and a quarter statute miles from the
head Of navigation on Chilkat Inlet Of
Lynn Canal. and on the klehini River
twelve miles farther inland. and the whole
valley Of the Porcupine is included within
the American lines. As TO White and
Chukoot passes. the line is fixed at the
summit, or watershed. being the points
which for some time past have been OBJ
served by the customs authorities OF the
two countries.
The text of the modus vivendi as finally
agreed 10 is as follows:
1t IS hereby agreed between the governments
Of the United States and II Great Britain
that the boundary line between Canada and
the Territory OF Alaska in the region about
the head of Lynn Canal shall be professionally
fixed without prejudice 10 the claims OF either
party in the permanent adjustment Of the in
t-Inau"nal boundary as follows:
tn the region OF the Dalton trail a line be-
ginning at the peak west of POrcupine Creek
marked on map No Of the United States
Commission, December Il, 1885. and on sheet
No. Is 0f the British Commission. December
g. 1895. with number $500; thence running 10
the Klehiui Cor Klaheeta) River in the direc-
t.1n Ct the peak north of that river. marked
1920 on the aforesaid United States map and
5o25 On the aforesaid British map; thence fol-
lowing the high or right bank Of the said
Klehui River to the junction thereof with the
Chtlkat River, q mile ana a half. more OF
less, north Of klukwan, provided that per-
sons proceeding TO or from Porcupine Creek
shall be freely permitted 10 follow the ira II
between Ilt sa+Q creek ana we SAID junction
of the rivers into and across the territory on
the Canadian side of the temporary line wher-
ever the trail crosses TO such side, and sub
jcct To such reasonable regulations for the pro-
lection cf the revenue the Canadian Gov
erumeut may prescribe 70 carry with them
over such parts or part OF the trail between
the said points may lie the Canadian
side 0f the temporary line such goods and
articles as tEey desire without being requested
70 pay any customs duty such articles
and from said junction TO tLc summit OF the
peak east of the Chilkat River marked on the
aforesaid map No. 10 of the United States
Commission with the number $40 and on the
map No. Il of the aforesaid British Commits
sion with the number 5490
on the Dyoa and SkagUay trails the sCrausitS
of the Chiikoot and White passes.
It is understood as formerly set forth in
commuaicaUons Of the Department % State
of the United States that the citizens OF sub
1eets Of each power found by this arrange
mant within the temporary Jurisdiction OK the
other shall suffer diminution Of the rights
and privileges which they enjoy,
The Government Of the United States will
az once appoint an officer or officers in con-
junction with an officer or officers to be
named by her Majestys Government to mark
the temporary line agreed upon. by the erec-
ton NJ posts, stakes or other appropriate tenn
p1raTy marks.