The St. Louis Republic., 1901-10-09
AMERICAN MINERS
were PROTECTED,
Red Book History of Provisional
Boundary Line Between Alas
la and Canada.
CUSTOMS DUTIES ABOLISHED.
Where Certain Trails Crossed AL
legged Canadian Territory
PrOspectors Had Free
Access.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

| REPURI-TC SPECIAL
| Washington. Oct. S.-Detais Of the ne
! gotiations between the United States and
| Great Britain. which led to the establish
rent of a provisional boundary line be-
| tween the Territory of Alaska and the Do
m!nion of Canada. about the head Of Lynn
| Canal We're published to-day By the State
| Department in its Red Book for 1889 The in
| formation made public is of importance be-
cause it shows the attitude of the United
| States. Great Britain and Canada on this
important dispute.
The negotia tions were begun by Great
Britain at the moment the United States
was on the verge of war with Spain. Lord
| Paurcefote suggested on April IS. 1895 that
a provisional line should be fixed without
prejudice TO the claims of either party. at
the watershed at the first summit north
OF Dyea. such provisional boundary would
be at a distance from the coast of consii-
erabIy more than ten leagues. Mr.. Day.
theh secretary of State. responded favor
ably to the British plan. suggesting that
III at least three localities on the water
shed. surrounding the head of Lynn Canal.
suitable monuments be placed one at the
summit Of White Pass. the second at the
summit OF ChillIoot Pass and the third at
tire summit OF Chilkat Pass
me effect of the American proposal
would be to place the boundary line much
Inrther inland than the Canadian Govern
ntnt considered reasonable. and Lord
pauncefote advanced the suggestion that
the provisional boundary line should be
referred 10 the joint commission then in
session, for adjustment.
Hay Takes Up the Task.
Secretary Hay assumed the office Of Sec
retary OF State Immediately after the peace
protocol between the United States and
Spain was signed and entered zealously in
10 the negotiations for the provisinal set
tlement of the Alaskan controversy Mr.
Hhy insisted that the arrangement should
be merely provisional and without Prejudice
10 the claims OF either party In the per-
manent adjustment of the international
boundary. He early assumed the position
that no solution was admissible which
should not recognize all rights and priv
iliges gained by the American miners and
others who had settled in the disputed ter
ritory.
The Secretary fresaw the Inconvenience
of n provisional line crossing and recross,ng
the shifting waterway. and as a result OF
his representations provision was placed
in the agreement providing that Persons
proceeding TO or from Porcupine Creek shall
be freely permitted to follow the trail be-
tween the said creek and the said junction
of the Klehini and Chilkat rivers. into and
of the temporary line whenever the trail
crosses TO such side. and. subject to such
recommendations Tor the prctec-
tiOn Of the revenue as the Canadian Gov
ernment may prescribe. to carry with them
over such part or parts of the trail between
said points as may lie in the Canadian side
of the temporary line such goods and ar
tcles as they may desire without being re- |
quired 10 pay customs duties on such goods |
and articles
BY the engagement the United States sur
rendered no part of its right and power TO
protect its citizens in the porcupine region,