New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-14
A MENACE FROM CANADA.
MR.. SEWARD BELIEVES THAT THE ALAS
KAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE ENDANGERS
INTERNATIONAL GOOD FEELING.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Very few people either in England or
the United States seem to comprehend the true
inwardness' of the so-caIled Alaska Boundary
Dispute" That is unfortunate. for it contains
the germ Of a grave national danger The
average newspaper reader supposes it to be
dispute over few acres or square miles of wild
land, perhaps frozen, on either side Of an mag
mary line. But it is not boundary dispute Of
that sort. The boundary was established years
ago b. treaties in which both nations took part
what the Canadian schemers are pushing Tor
now is IAN outlet TO tidewater' by means OF
harbor on the Lynn Canal.
What is the Lynn Canal? It is a great estu-
airy. broad and deep, like the lower Hudson or
| the Delaware. 1t traverses Southern Alaska
and is the chief artery Of commerce. It is the
thoroughfare by which all traders, miners ana
travellers reach the valley OF the Yukon unless
they make a two thousand mile voyage around
by the ocean.
What is the harbor that the Canadian schem-
ers covet? 1t is one of the most important
strategic points on our Pacific Coast. 1t is
! deep, wide, semi-circular basin, safe in all
weathers. open to navigation all the year round.
with easy access to the sea, large enough to
! float not only trading craft. but the cruisers
and battleships of the British navy II is sur
rounded by mountain heights which when
|
word, what they want is TO establish a naval
and commercial port for Great Britain, re-
sembling Gibraltar or Aden-and to establish
it in the heart Of an American Territory. at
the head of its inland navigation! The power
owning such stronghold might we'll claim 70
dominate the North Pacific. II would cut
Alaska Territory in two parts. with British forts
and custom houses between, controlling their
intercourse with each other and with the out
side world. COMPARED with such stronghold
Esquimault or Halifax is of minor consequence
| That port is the objective point that Canadian
schemers are working for That is what they
hope to eXtort from us by threats or ca1olery-
They know what they about; apparently
we do not; at least, they hope so. SO they
muddle the question with specious pretences OF
harmless purpose. by which TO "outwit the
Yankees
When this monstrous demand. without a
shadow of foundation, was first put forward II
brought 10 a sudden check the work OF the
Joint High Commission to settle questions be
tween Canada and the United States. II per-
sisted in il will do more than that. 1t will tend
70 break up the present era Of good feeling be
tween the two branches of the English speaking
race-an era so full Of promise for both nations
and for the whole civilized world.
The whole claim is so preposterous and
absurd that il would hardly be credible il we
did not know how silly and blind 10 their own
interests great governments may sometimes be.
The Canadian statesmen who are pressing IL
are bin leaders of the blind. They are like
children playing with fire They do not realize
the far-reachlng consequences OF the conhagra-
ton they are trying 10 kndle. For IL is not 70
be believed that the American people, when
reused 10 understanding OF the question.
are ever going 10 acquiesce in the construction
or a Gibraltar in their own waters by any for
eign power. American patience is great and
American good nature is proverbial but even
these have limits.
FREDERICK W. SEWARD.
Montrose-on-the-H Hudson November, 1902.