Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1899-11-05
ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
Mr.. Foster Outiiass Policy ne Believes
20 he Correct.

OF State John W. Foster, a member OF
the Joint high commission 10 setils DIFF
ferences between the United states and
Canada has prepared summary OF
this governments case on the Alaskan
boundary. II was read here before the
American Biographical society. Nv.
Foster reviewed the history Of the nego-
tiations between Russia and Great Brit
ain and showed that the British only
sought 10 prevent the extension Of the
Russian claims eastward 10 the Rocky
mountains The British government
was then prepared 10 accept a boundary
line 100 miles from the coast Of the main
land Great Britain afterwards sue
ceeded in reducing this strip 10 IA width
Of 10 marine leagues Russia permitted
a 10 year license % fish and hunt in the
estuarie-. but declined TO make II per
manent That license was terminated
at the end Of tIe period and Mr. Foster
says Is itself inconsistent with any in
terprctation Of the treaty other han the
complete sovereignty Of Russia all over
not only the strip Of mainland but all
the bays and inlcts.
Mr. Foster showed that In 1889 the
Hudson Bay company leased from the
Russian government the very strip IN
question. as -lown by the Russian
maps. aud in 1861 a parliamentary com
mittee. examining the head Of the com
pany. brought the fact that Russian
sovereignty extended 30 nautical miles
inland following the indentations Of the
coast In 1874 provisional boundary
was established by the United States At
the crossing Of the stickine river. which
follows the present American conten'
ton, and in 1875 a criminal being tried
and convicted was released by Canadian
courts because his ofense was com.
mitied I'm American Territory"
Mr. Foster quoted the British Sscre-
tary Canning in his instructions 10 the
Duke Of Wellington, where he says.
Enlightened statesmen and Jurisis
have long held a. insignificant all titles
Of territory that are not founded on
actual occupation, and that title Is IN
the opinion u the most esteemed writer.
on public law 10 be established by
/ practical use
With this "a a basis Mr Foster made
the following strong presentation Of the
American position regarding the
boundary:
There Is no claim or preience that
the British authorities or subjects ever
occupied any Of the territory now 10
dispute. except under the lease. or ever
exercised or attempted 10 exercise any
acts Of sovereignty over the strip Of
waters inclosed by IT,
I. Soon after the treaty Of 1928 the
Russian government published mar
claiming the strip Of territory and ell
the interior waters Of the sea Enclosed
by II.
. The Russian.Amcrican company es
tablished forts aud trading posts within
the strip
& By virtue Of the lease cited which
was a recognized assertion Of lie sovrr
eighty Russia temporarily transierrc,
these forts aud posts 10 the British com
pany.
4 At no termination Of the EXTENDED
lease il reentered aud took possession
and remained In possession until the Ger
sion Of Alaska 10 the United States
3 II receiyed the allegiance Of the ma
tive Indians inhabiting the strip and eE
ercised control and supervision owe
them.
q Immediately after the session Il
1867 the department u the state Of th
United States likewise caused a map Z
be published setting forth the bounds %
Alaska. In accordance with the trcat.
Of 1925 and the same claim ~ 20 th
strip was thereon made by Russia In 1t
map Of 1921
T. Upon the transfer Of Alaska
} portion Of the United States army wa
despatched 10 occupy tho territory an,
a detachment was stationed for som
time on this strip Of the mainland
4. Since the cession postoflice- an,
post routes have been established an
maintained at various points on th
) strip
0. Customhouses have Likewise bee
established and dutiCs collected therein
10. Government and mission school
have been asked and notably 80 for nea
20 years at the head q Lynn canal
If. The revenue vessels Of the Unite
States have continuously since the dat
Of the cession patroled the interic
waters surrounded by tho strip 10 er
force the revenue and other laws Of III
United States
IL. The naval and revenue vessels ,
the United States have for the sam
period exercised acts Of sovereignty ov,
the Indian tribes inhabiting III
strip, and especially about the head ,
LYNN canal. and the latter h ave yielde
unquostioned alligiance to the Unite
States.
10. In the census Of 1880 and 800 a
Indian tribes inhabiting the strip wei
included In the population Of the Unite
States aud 80 published IN the oiliciI
reports
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