The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-10
He Is Strongly Opposed to Yielding an
Inch of Territory to the Do
miniOn Government.
LYNN CANAL PART OF THE SEA
THEREFORE, THE BOUNDARY LINE
SHOULD BE 30 MILES INLAND.
No Expression from Mr.. Fairbanks
The Senator EN- Route Home by
Way of Portland.

TACOMA, Wash, July 9.-The Fairbanks
Foster Alaskan boundary party returned
from the north to-day and interviews with
members of the party indicate that the
watershed on White pass, back Of Skagway
and Dyea, will be accepted as the intnerna-
tional boundary line at that point. The
White and Chilkoot passes constitute the
storm center of the Alaskan boundary. At
those points the Canadians hope to secure
concessions that will enable them to anchor
down port Of entry into the Klondike gold
fields. All other parts of the country there
abouts where concessions are looked for are
of little Importance compared with the Lynn
canal, which is the key to the situation.
Senator Fairbanks, when interviewed,
placed Importance ON the fact that he must
sit with the joint high commission 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 spent In
Alaska, Senator Foster declined to speak.
Personally" he said, II am opposed to
yielding an inch of United States territory.
A careful investigation, however, demon
strates that there may be different construc-
CARDS channels, the situation Of lesser
islands and the like. But in the main the
United States is plainly given a strip OF
territory north Of Portland canal, or there
abouts, ten marine leagues inland. except
where a well defined mountain range
places the boundary nearer the coast. This
strip runs to Mount ST. Elias. Many con-
tend that the passes back of Skagway and
"a.
are the headwaters of Yukon and on the
other the streams flowing into Lynn canal
are formed. Between these two districts
there is a chain of mountains, which, in
the opinion of some, bring the boundary
line some eighteen miles nearer the coast.
This seems to be a fair expression of the
American view Of the boundary question.
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 many of the English hold
that the boundary should be drawn thirty
miles. or ten marine leagues, inland from
the head lands. BY such a construction Of
course Lynn canal would be an inlet into
Canadian territory and ten marine leagues
inland from the headlands at the entrance
would be many miles south Of Skagway and
Dyea, and hence Canada and England
would have the coveted port Of entry with
out a question Of doubt. AS look upon it
personally Lynn canal is part of the
ocean. therefore 1t would be unfair to
draw a line thirty miles inland from the
entrance to bodies of water of that nature
and call it the boundary under the treaty"
On Wednesday night reception will be
given here to Senator Foster, Congressman
Dalzell, the National Editorial Association
and the officers of the Iowa and McCul-
loch. Senator Fairbanks has been invited to
be present, but he said his duties in con-
nection with the boundary dispute COM
PEELED him to leave for the East tonight,
via Portland.