Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-31
The BORDER QUESTION
The United States and Great
Britain Soon to Take Up
Boun Diary Disputes.
Some Knotty Questions to Be
Settled in Connection With
Canadian Border.
The Alaskan Dispute the One
Expected to Give the Most
Trouble.

Washington, Dec 31.-It is expected
/ that efforts will be renewed before Ions
! for the settlement of the numerou:
| controversies which have long existed
between the United States and Great
Britain, growing out of relations along
| the Canadian border, the Atlantic fish.
| cries warships on the Great Lakes, the
Alaskan boundary, and other questions
Heretofore, the negotiations designed te
secure a settlement OF the matters re.
cited have not proved effective. largely
| because of the cumbersome machinery
of negotiation, and this has led to be-
lief that much more could be accom-
plished by direct negotiations between
Secretary Hay and Lord Pauncefote on
the main points, and the subsequent as
sembling of a commission representing
the United States. Great Britain and
Canada to give form to the basis OF
agreement rendered.
The British authorities have expected
for some time that when the isthmian
canal treaty was once disposed of there
would be a renewal Of efforts to adjust
the Alaskan boundary and other pend-
ing questions, the canal treaty being re-
Garded as one OF the many pending Is
sues. Now that the British govern
mentt has yielded the Clayton ulwer
treaty and other points in the isthmian
negotiations, 1t is desired to take up
some OF the other questions. in which
they have important interests involved.
Lord Pauneefote desires to clear up
all pending differences. and have q "a
clean slate before his present term as
ambassador comes to a close. When he
came to Washington there were four
great issues 'between the two govern
ments. The first Of these was the
Behring sea controversy which had
reached an acute stage. Diplomacy dis
posed OF this issue. The second issue
was over Venezuela, which, like the seal
questions, at one time threatened war.
But the efforts Of diplomacy were again
successful in averung trouble and
bringing about q settlement. The third
important issue was on the isthmian
canal, which has been satisfactorily
disposed Of by the recent HayaPaunce-
tote treaty. The leaves only one issue
remaining In order to bring about "a
clean slate" namely the border contro-
versn both as to Canada and Alaska.
The British officials usually link these
various boundary controversies tOgeth-
er, as they are more or less connected.
At present, modus vivenH exists as
to the Alaskan boundary. chiefly for the
purpose OF avoiding clash along the
border, and holding each side In check
until final boundary Is determined up
on. It seems to be conceded on both
sides that the inodus yivenM can not be
carried on indefinitely, and that sooner
or later the main questions OF establish
ing permanent boundary must be set
tied.
Lord Lansdowne's desire to take up
the question was expressed clearly in
his note to Secretary Hay last spring.
when the British government declined
to accept the senate amendment to the
first Hay Pauncefote treaty. Recently
Lard Lansdowne again has expressed
in speeches the need of taxing up the
Alaskan boundary question. These dec
larations by the head Of the British for
eign office, together with the we'll
known wish OF Lord Pauncefote to clear
away all pending difference between the
two governments doubtless Will lead to
the formal exchanges necessary to an
adjustment Just what steps will
be adopted are not disclosed, but it
seems likely that direct negotiations
and the subsequent assembling OF a
commission Will commend itself to the
parties concerned as the most feasible
procedure.
The border issues outside Of that re-
lating to Alaska are those which long
have existed and have created more or
less friction. The joint high commits
sion, which assembled some time ago.
practically disposed Of these lesser Is
sues, but the deadlock on Alaska pre-
vented a treaty covering these and 9TH
er points Of agreement. With the ddspo-
sal Of the Alaskan boundary, therefore.
1t Is felt that the way would be clear to
dispose OF other controversies. The reci-
procity question, which is among those
formerly considered. is not likely to be
taken up in this connection, as Canada
desires to make 1t the subject of sep
arate negotiation. The Atlantic fisher
les question also may be the subject
of separate negotiations.