The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-07
Hays Letter to Miners.

Hays Letter to Miners.
The letter of Secretary of State Hay
to the miners committee of the Porcu-
pine mining district would indicate that
the government is determined to pro-
tect the interests Of its citizens and that
there is little reason why the fusionists
6 this state should witness with
shame and humiliation the cowardly and
inconsistent action of the present Re-
publican administration In hauling
down the American flag that for third
Of century has fioated In honor and
unchallenged over the Porcupine mining
district OF Alaska. The shame and hui
initiation is somewhat premature. for
the flag has not been hauled down and
will not be, unless the final demarca-
ton is by an international agreement
different from that for which the
United States contends: and as yet
there has been no intimation that It
will be different
Az Mr. Hay shows. the modus vivendi
under which the temporary boundary
line was run was agreed 10 only after
there had been an acauiscence in the
demand Of this government that all
rights and privileges gained by Ameri-
settled in the disputed territory should
be recognized and guarded by both par
ties TO the temporary compact. The
United States Insisted that no solution
was admissible which did not contain
the stipulation shat the citizens or sub
Jects of either power found by this
agreement within the temporary juris-
dlction OF the other shall suffer no
diminution of the rights and privileges
which they now enjoy"
The temporary boundary line was in
the nature of a compromise. involving
mutual concessions, but without preju-
dice TO the complete establishment OF
the rights Of either party in the event
ual permanent readiustment OF the
treaty boundary. AZ Mr.. Hay sets forth.
there is no permanent REIMBURSEMENT
by the United states OF any terrific
rial sovereignty. and the rights Of
this country In the matter OF the
treaty boundary are absolutely intact.
and their assertion in due time wiz be
! earnest and thorough He announces
| positively THAT this government fore
goes no part o. It's right and power TO
protect It's citizens In the Porcupine
| creek region, whether they be tempo
rarity within American or British iuris-
dlction. IN the fun enjoyment OF all
rights and privileges which they had
before the modus was concluded and to
see that their freedom Of access and
exit, with their goods. Is not unreason-
ably impeded
II has been the fashion Of some Of the
critics 81 the administration 10 assume
that the Unued states had given up Tor
good some Of the territory which Il has
hitherto claimed bat such a contention
Il utterly without warrant A compro-
mise boundary was agreed upon which
should be recognized untn the per1na-
neat line was drawn. but IN scceptiRs
this temporary demarcation the United
states allowed st 70 be expressly under
stood that 4 yielded nothing IN its con
tentlou for the boundary line as Il now
exists AS matter % fact. the pro.
vlsioual line as laid down by the modu.
viyendi agreement was taken by Can
ada with bad grace. being pronnuncet
victory FOR this country and com
plcie haekdown for the Dominion. which
had claimed free access 10 the Yukoi
country through a Canadian port 81
shore line now under American juris
diction.
It is perhaps unavoidable that Their