The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08
ALASKAN BOUNDARY,
CLAIMS AND ARBITRATION.
Settlement of VexatiOus Dispute
venezuelan Trouble - The Hague
TribunaI-FOreignR Relations.

ment of Alaska and the establishment of
growing American interests in regions
heretofore unsurveyed and imperfectly
known brought into prominence the urgent
necessity of a practical demarcation of the
boundaries between the jurisdictions of the
United States and Great Britain. Although
the treaty of 1925 between Great Britain and
Russia, the provisions of which were copied
in the treaty of 1867, whereby Russia con-
veyed Alaska to the United States, was
positive as to the control. first by Russia
and later by the United States, of strip
of territory along the continental mainland
from the western shore of Portland canal
to Mount st. Elias, following and surround
ing the indentations of the coast and in
Guiding the islands to the westward, it's
description of the landward margin of the
strip was indefinite. resting on the supposed
existence of a continuous ridge range of
mountains sairting the coast, as figured in
the charts of the early navigators. 1t had
at no time been possible for either party in
interest to lay down. under the authority
of the treaty, line obviously exact
according to its provisions as to command
the assent of the other. For nearly three
fourths OF a century the absence OF tangible
local interests demanding the exercise of
positive Jurisdiction on either side of the
border lett the question dormant. In 1878
questions Of revenue administration on the
Stikine river led to the establishment of a
provisional demarcation, crossing the chan
nei between two high peaks either side
about twenty-four miles above the river
mouth. In 1898 similar questions growing
out of the extraordinary development of
mining interests in the region about the
head of Lynn canal brought about a tenn
porary mocus vivendi, by which a con-
venient separation was made at the water
shed divides of the White and Chilkoot
passes and to the north of Klukwan, on the
klehini river. These partial and tentative
adjustments could not, In the very nature
of things he satisfactory or lasting. A
permanent disposition of the matter be-
came imperative.
The Mixed Tribunal.
After unavailing attempts to reach an
| understanding through a joint high COM
mission. followed by prolonged negotia-
lions, conducted in amicable spirit, a
convention between the United States and
Great Britain was signed, Jan. "a, 1903 pro-
viding for an examination of the subject
by a mixed tribunal of six members, three
on a side. with a view TO its final DISPOSE
| ton. Notifications were exchanged on
March last, whereupon the two govern
| ments appointed their respective members.
Those on behalf of the United States were
Elihu Root. secretary of war; Henry Cabot
| Lodge. senator OF the United States, and
George Turner, an ex-senator of the United
| States, while Great Britain named the
| Right Hon. Lord Alverstone, lord chief ms.
| tice of England; Sir Louis Amable Jette
X. c. M: e.. retired judge of the Supreme
X. c., of Toronto. This tribunal met in
London on Sept. 3, under the presidency of
| Lord Alverstone. The proceedings were ex.
peditious and marked by a friendly and
conscientious spirit. The respective cases
counter cases and arguments presented the
issues clearly and fully.
On Oct. 20 majority of the tribunal
reached and signed an agreement on ali
the questions submitted by the terms of the
| convention. By this award the right OF
the United States to the control of a con.
| tinuous strip or border OF the mainland
shore. skirting all the Underwater inlets and
sinuositieS of the coast, is confirmed, the
entrance TO Portland canal concerning
which legitimate doubt appeared) is de.
! fined passing by Tongass inlet and &c
| the northwestward of Wales and Pearst
islands; line is drawn from the head OF
| Portland canal TO the fifty-sixth degree OF
north latitude,~and the interior border line
| of the strip is fixed by lines connecting
certain mountain SUBMITS lying between
| Portland canal and Mount ST. Elias anC
| running along the crest of the divide sep
| arating the coast slope from the INLAND
watershed at the only part of the frontiel
1
| coast within the distance OF ten marin,
| leagues stipulated by the treaty as the ex
treme width of the strip around the head.
| of Lynn canal and its branches.
| While the line so traced follows the pro
| vislonal deniarkation of 1873 at the CROSSING
| of the Stikine river, and that of 1899 at tn
SUBMITS of the White and Chilkoot passes
| it runs much farther inland from the Kle
| hni than the temporary line of the late
| modus vivendi and leaves the entire minin;
district of the Porcupine river and Glacie
creek within the jurisdiction of the Unite,
| States.
The result Is satisfactory in every way
| 1t Is of great material advantage TO on
! people in the far Northwest. Ii has re
| moved from the field OF discussion an,
! possible danger a question liable TO becom
| more acutely accumulated with each pass
| ing year. Finally, IL has furnished a sig
| nal proof of the fairness and good will wit
which two friendly nations can approach
| and determine issues involving nationa
| sovereignty and by their nature incapable
of submission TO third power for adjudi
| cation.
The award is self-executing on the vita
| points. To make il effective as regards tn
| others IL only remains for the two gov
| ernments TO appoint each on it's own be
| half, one or more semitic experts, VIII
| shall with all convenient speed proceed 10
gether to lay down the boundary line in &C
OF the tribunal l recommend that tn
4 Congress make adequate provision for tn
appointment. compensation. and expense