The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-10
WATERSHED is THE LINE
Would Settle the Alaska Bound
ary Controversy.
IF ENGLAND ACCEPTS IT
But 1t Would Not Give the Coveted Port
OF Entry-Fairbanks Is Opposed
to Yielding an Inch OF
Territory.

. Tacoma, Wash. July s.-The Fair
banks-Foster Alaska boundary party
returned from the north to-day and in
terviews with members of the party in
dictate that the watershed on White
Pass, back of Skaguay and Dyea, will
airy line at that point. The White and
Chilcoot passes constitute the storm
center of the Alaska boundary contro-
versy. At these points the Canadians
hope to secure concessions that will en-
able them to anchor down Port of
entry into the Klondike gold fields and
all other parts of the country there
abouts where concessions looked for are
of little Importance compared with the
Lynn canal territory, which is the key
to the situation.
Senator Fairbanks, when interviewed,
placed Importance on the fact that he
must sit with the joint high commits
sion in August, but declined to state
what lines of argument he would take
up. He expressed great satisfaction at
having made the trip. Regarding
boundary matters that were discussed
during the four weeks in Alaska, Sena-
tor Foster declined to speak.
Personally" he said, Il am opposed
to yielding an inch of United States
territory. A careful investigation,
however, demonstrates that there may
be different constructions placed upon
the treaties involved as regards chan
nels, the situation of lesser islands and
the like. But. in the main, the United
States Is plainly given a strip of ter
rtory, north Of Portland canal, or
Whereabouts. 10 marine leagues inland
except were a well defined mountain
range places the boundary nearer the
coast. This strip runs up to Mount st.
Elias. Many contend at the passes that
the watershed back of Skaguay and
Dyea is the dividing line. On the one
side are the headwaters of the Yukon
and on the other the streams flowing
into Lynn channel are formed. Be-
tween these two districts there is a
chain of mountains thus, in the opin-
ion of some, bringing the boundary line
some IS miles nearer the coast. This
seems to be a fair expression of the
American view of the boundary ques-
ton. By this construction of the
treaty it is held England will receive
the benefit of every point that can be
fairly and honestly granted. On the
other hand. however, the Canadians
and Englishmen hold that the
boundary should be drawn so miles or
10 marine leagues inland from the
headlands. BY such a construction, of
course. Lynn canal would be an inlet
into Canadian territory and 10 marine
leagues inland from the headlands at
the entrance would be many miles
south of Skaguay and Dyea and hence
Canada and England would have the
coveted port of entry without ques-
ton of doubt AS I look upon it, per-
sonally, Lynn canal. is part Of the
sea or ocean. Therefore It would be
unfair to draw line 80 miles inland
from the headlands at the entrance to
bodies of water of that nature and call
it the boundary under the treaty"
Wednesday night reception will be
given here to Senator Foster, Congress-
men DalZell and Payne, the National
Educational association, the officers of
the Iowa and McCuloch, Sena or
Fairbanks has been invited to be pres
ent, but says his duties in connection
with the boundary dispute compel him
to leave for the East tonight via Port-
land