The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-30
Fisheries Question, Alaskan and Ca
madam Boundaries and Warships
on Lakes to BE Considered.
ON WATER-BORNE COMMERCE
PAN-AMERICAN DELEGATES TC
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK.
Arbitration Agreement to Be Present.
ed on Jan. 1-Danish West Indies
Matter Is Quiescent.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29-It is expected
that efforts will be renewed before long
for the settlement of the numerous con-
troversies which have long existed between
the United States and Great Britain, grow
ing out of relations along the Canadian
border, the Atlantic fisheries, warships on
the great lakes, the Alaskan boundary and
other questions.
Heretofore the negotiations designed to
secure a settlement of the matters recited
have not proved effective largely because
of the cumbersome machinery of negotia-
tion, and this has led to belief that much
more could be accomplished by direct nego-
1ations between Secretary Hay and Lord
Pauncefote on the main points and the
subsequent assemblying of a commission
representing the United States, Great Brit
ain and Canada to give form to the basis
of agreement rendered. The British authori-
ties 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
pending questions, the canal treaty being
regarded one of many pending issues.
Now that the British government has yield
ed the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and other
points in the isthmian negotiation it desires
to take up some of the other questions in
which il has important interests involved.
Lord Pauncefote desires to clear up all
pending differences and have "a clean
slate" before his present term as ambassa-
dor comes to a close. When he came to
Washington there were four great issues
between the two governments. The first of
these was the Bering sea controversy,
which had reached an acute stage. Diplo-
macy disposed of this issue. The second
issue was over Venezuela, which, like the
seal question, at one time threatened war.
But the efforts of diplomacy were again
successful in averting trouble and bring
ing about a settlement. The third important
issue was on the isthmian canal, which'has
been SATISFACTORILY disposed of by the re-
cent Hay -PauncefCN->~-tSI This leaves
only one issue remaining in order to bring
about "a clean slate" namely, the border
controversy, both as to Canada and Alaska.
The British officials usually link these vari-
Gus boundary controversies together as
they are more or less connected. At present
a modus vivendi exists as to the Alaskan
boundary, chiefly for the purpose of avoid
ing a clash along the border and holding
each side in check until a final boundary is
determined upon.
1t seems to be conceded on both sides that
the modus cannot be carried on indefinitely
ana tndI sooner or later the mann question
OF establishing permanent boundary must
be settled Lord Lansdownes 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 Lord
Lansdowne again has expressed in speeches
the need of taking up the Alaskan bound
airy question. These declarations by the
head of the British foreign service to-
gether with the well-knOwn wish of Lord
Pauncefote to clear away all pending diff
ferences 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
il seems likely that direct negotiations and
the subsequent assembling of a commission
will commend itself to the parties con-
cerned as the most feasible procedure.
The border issues outside of that relating
and have created more or less friction. The
joint high commission which assembled
some time ago practically disposed of these
lesser issues, but the deadlock on Alaska
prevented treaty covering these and other
points of agreement. With the disposal of
the Alaskan boundary, therefore, it is felt
that the way would be clear to dispose of
the other controversies. The reciprocity
question. which is among those formerly
considered, is not likely to be taken up in
this connection, as Canada desires to make
II the subject of separate negotiation. The
Atlantic fisheries question also may be the
subject of separate negotiations.