Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-28

INVOLVES THE TOWNS or
SkAGUAY AND DYEA - AN
ANGLO-AMERICAN WAR WOULD
BE CRIMINAL.
NEW YORK, July ga special to
the Herald from Ottawa says: And
war is not to be thought Of said Sir
Wilfrid Laurier in the Canadian parlia-
ment, in qualifying his statement that
inasmuch as negotiations for the settle
ment of the Alaskan boundary had
failed the only two possible ways of
settling it was arbitration or war. AS
a member of the commission and a
participant in the negotiations. he
said, Il am not at liberty to give TO the
public information bearing on the diff
ference between US and the United
States. / think can say this much in
explanation, however:
Practically the whole dispute now ia
cireumscribed to the question of the
establishment Of the boundary line in
the region of the Lynn canal. The pub
lie is aware that the Canadian conten-
ton is that the line crosses the Lynn
canal near its entrance. whereas the
American contention is that the line
goes around the Lynn canal, leaving
the entire canal In American territory.
IF the contention were reduced 10
the exact location OF the line / think
the solution might prove to be OF COM
paratiye ease. But the Americans have
establishments at Skaguay and Dyea.
In our view the Americans at that point
are on British territory, but we have
TO recognize the fact that they are
there all the same.
"At one time we thought we could
have made the compromise and arrang-
ed the boundary by conventional agree
ment and mutual concessions. / am
betraying no secret when l say that the
commission could not agree on such
compromise. Therefore, as We cannot
agree among ourselves, we must ask
the assistance of friendly arbitrators.
The points to be submitted to the arbi-
traitors might be the following:
First, which is the right interpreted
ton of the treaty in regard to the loca-
ton OF the boundary line on the Lynn
canal? Is it the Canadian or the Amer
lean contention?
Second, in the event OF the arbitra-
tors declaring that the Canadian con-
tention is the right one, then the sub
sidiary consideration would have 70 be
decided. What disposition shall be
made Of Dyea and skaguay, which are
American settlements?
Eve think the Venezuelan treaty of
fers a precedent for the solution OF
that question. | am aware that the
American authorities contend that
there is a difference between the Ven
ezuelan precedent and the case now 10
be disposed OF, in this, that, as they al
lege. Canada never protested against
the American occupation Of Skaguay
and Dyea.
I'VE do not admit this contention in
noint OF fact. But even IL 1t were
founded on fact the arbitrators would
have to consider what equities might
arise therefrom and decide according
IL. Though / have strong views on
this point myself, for obvious reasons
| refrain from expressing them.
an case this matter cannot be submitted
10 arbitration. Is Canada IN favor q GET
,ang II by war;" Sir wnfrid was asked.
..Sobody wants war" be replied quietly.
II distinctly said when ! called attention
u tha gart that the negotiations had faiisd
that the question could only be settled ~
srt,f.ra+for or war. that war was out o.
me question and not 70 be thought Ok.
v,3ll Is further and say that war over rms
~ any other question would oe criminal.
We aognt to have the most cordial inter-
course and the closest commercial rsia~
,te,re u5fh the United States. We TANK
49, AZ rot always get them We think ws
ID not always get commercial justice.
r-sopuh small nation we buy more from
YOU than you buy from Us. But s0use aAy
~ wgH turn the tables On you and wia
gsr ne best of The bargain. and hat Is al
.he revenge ge want from you
DO you know whether the initiative
ling taken IA Great Britain looking 70
mixing a proposal 70 arbitFateE
you must not ask ne" &c replied.
..wIu you discuss the old propo#fioo
pow coming forward again, thai Canada
v,ouia 6e satisfied with a free p0rts AAy
u pyramid Harhor, the entire Lynn eanal
remaining under United STATES Sovereign