Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-02
A Case Of Canadian Nerve.

which comes from London. Great
! Britain is just now engaged in the
novel task of trying to induce one OF
her own dependencies to yield to the
| demands of foreign country. we al
lude to the efforts of the British min
| istry to bring Canada to the terms OF
the United States in the matter of the
Alaska boundary.
| Without attempting, to set forth the
why's or wherefores of the dispute
over this boundary. it is sufficient to
say that the United States has been
willing to arbitrate the case. Canada
professed to be willing also. but during
| the sitting of the joint commission of
the two countries She demanded that
the question be submitted to an arbi-
tration board which must from the
nature of things be in Canada's favor,
and when the commissioners on the
part of the United States refused TO
grant this demand the session was ad-
iourned until the coming August in or
der that each side might hear from the
home government. England at once
took sides with the United States, to
the extent Of telling the Canadian
authorities that it was perfectly fair to
have an unbiased and Independent ar
bitration board. 1t was pointed out
| viz
considerable when it consented at all
to arbitration over soil which 1t had
occupied for a period Of more than ~
years, and the Canadian authorities
were urged to yield their point. At the
same time the Washington adminlstra-
ton was informed by the British gov
eminent that its demands We're reason
able. and that the kind Of an arbitra-
ton commission proposed by the
Americans would be entirely accept
able. Evidently Lord Salisbury thought
this would settle it and that Canada
would gracefully submit.
But now comes Canada with an addi-
tional condition. She demands taat
certain portions Of the disputed terri
tory shall he conceded to her independ-
ent of any finding by the board Of ar
bitration. Needless TO say, though It
was reported in the dispatches Of yes
terday, our state department per-
emptorily declined the condition, and
the boundary question is hung up
again.
Undoubtedly it will be surprising to
most people to learn that Canada
possesses an Independence and an
authority which enable her to dispute
the right Of the British home govern
ment 70 settle boundary question
with a foreign government. 1t
generally has been supposed that
Canada's autonomy ana right Of self
government stopped short Of the privi-
lege of debating the settlement of in
ternational questions. Perhaps it does
so stop short, ana perhaps when it
comes to what the Americans call a
show down" it will be found that
Great Britain still asserts the right ana
power to make her colony obey the
home government in all things.
ON the assumption that in its la
resort this boundary question belongs
to Great Britain and not to Canada,
| however. one can scarcely withhold I
certain sort of admiration for the cool
and calm assurance with which the
Canadian government sets about inn
posing conditions after the British
premier has made definite PROPOSE
ton to the United States. 1t is a good
| deal as though one of the states had
| demanded the right to amend the
| Spanish treaty after it had been &C
cepted by the Senate and signed by
| the President.