Evening star., 1902-01-02
BY DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS
PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF ALAS
KAN DISPUTE.
Joint Commission Expected to Give
Form to the Bases of Agree
ment Rendered.

1t is expected that efforts will be re-
newed before long for the settlement OF
the numerous controversies which nave
long existed between the United States and
Great Britain growing out of relations
along the Canadian border, the Atlantic
fisheries, warships the Great Lakes
the Alaskan boundary, and other ques-
| tions Heretofore the negotiations de-
signed to secure a settlement of the mat
ters recited have not proved effective,
largely because of the cumbersome ma
chnery of negotiation, and this has led to
belief that much more could be accom-
pished by direct negotiations between Sec
retary Hay and Lord Pauncefote on the
main points and the subsequent assembling
of commission representing the United
States, Great Britain and Canada, to give
form to the bases 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 Alas
kan boundary and other pending questions,
the canal treaty being regarded as one OF
the many pending issues. Now the Brit
Sh government has yielded the Clayton
Bulwer treaty and other points in the 18TH
mian negotiations, it desires to take up
some of the other questions in which it
has important interests involved.
Desires n Clean Slate.
Lord Pauncefote desires to clear up all
pending differences and have "a clean
slate before his present term as ambas-
sador comes to a close. When he came
to Washington there were four great is
sues between the two governments. The
first of these was the Bering sea contro-
versY, which had reached an acute stage.
The second issue was over Venezuela
which, like sthe seal question at one time
threatened war. But the efforts of diplo-
macy were again successful in ayerting
trouble and bringing about settlement
The third important issue was on the 18TH
milan canal, which has been isfactorily
disposed of by the recent Hay-Pauncefote
treaty. This leaves only one issue remain
ing in order to bring about "a clean slate"
namely, the border controversy, both as to
Canada and Alaska The British officials
usually link these various boundary con-
troversies together, as they are more or
less connected.
The Alaskan Modus Vivendi.
At present a medus vivendi exists as to
tina Alaskan boundary, chiefly for the pur-
pose of avoiding 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. and that
sooner or later the main question of estab-
fishing a 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 Lord Lans-
downe again has expressed in speeches, the
need of taking up the Alaskan boundary
question. These declarations by the head
of the British foreign service. together
with the well-known wish of Lord Paunce-
fotc, to clear away all pending differences
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 like
ly that direct negotiations and the subse-
Quent assembling of a commission will
commend itself to the parties concerned as
the most feasible procedure.
The Minor Issues.
The border issues, outside of that relating
to Alaska, are those which long have eX
listed and have created more or less fric-
ton. The joint high commission which as
sembled some time ago practically dis
posed of these minor issues, but the dead
lock on Alaska prevented treaty cover
ing 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 it the subject of separate
ne gotfation. The Atlantic fisheries question
also may be the subject of separate nego-