Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-10-27
CANADA's GRIEVANCE.

CANADA's GRIEVANCE.
The Canadians still feel sore over
the boundary settlement and some OF
them suggest that the British govern
ment purchase Greenland, az a recon-
pense for the coast line that was de-
clared American property; or II Green
land cannot be bought, that sort OF
Monroe doctrine covering that country
be promulgated by Great Britain, lest
the United states should acquire
Greenland and thus have territory
both on the east and west OF Canada
That suggestion can have been made
from no other motive than desire to
Involve Great Britain ana the United
states In an idle controversy. II Is
perhaps hoped that the TWO powers
would clash about the right to cover
Greenland with Monroe doctrine
But 1t Is time enough TO consider that
question when Greenland is for sale.
IL is not known that Denmark IL VIII
Ing to dispose Of that possession. our
Canadian friends ought rather to study
closely the review Of the case by Lord
chief Justice Alverstone, who said, in
part
In my opinion It Is correctly point
ca OUT on behalf OF the United States
that the word coast Is an ambiguous
term. There u.s. as far as | know, no
recognized rule Of international law
which would by implication give a rec
oRnlzed meaning 10 the word coast
as applied TO such slnuusitios and such
waters dlnerent from the coast itself.
AFTER most careful examination | am
unable to find any passage I'm the me-
Rotlatlons connected with the treaty
or 1875 which supports the view thae
Great Britain was directly or Indirectly
putting forward n claim to the shores
or ports at the head Of nlets. have
ielt 1t my duty TO express reasons
winch led me 10 the conclusion 10
Whlch ] have come that the answer
or the NTH question should be I'm the
Affirmative because ! am constrained
70 take view contrary to that pre-
sented on behalf Of Great Britain
considerations urged on behalf of
canada, strong as they are In favor of
a Just and equitable modification Of
tne treaty, do not, In my opinion. en-
able one TO put different construction
upon the treaty"
The case was decided on It's merits.
Facts and evidence decided IL; not
fovortism; nor policy
AZ this time the story Of another ar
bltration decision Is recalled, which
went against this country. but which
was accepted without too much exhib-
zion OF chagrin, although an evident
outrage was committed IN the matter
OF appointing the commission. The
question was OF certain fishing priv
ileges In Canadian waters. and
OF our coasts. Great Britain contend
ed that It's concessions in the matter
were greater than those OF the Amerl-
can government and asked that the
United States pay sum OF money to
offset these advantages. This govern
mcnt denied the contention. The treaty
provided that the subject be left TO
the arbitration Of three commission
ers' one to be appointed by each gov
eminent and the third to be selected bv
the president and queen conformity.
Provided the third commissioner should
not be selected within three months
after the treaty went into effect. the
choice was to be left to the Austro-
Hungarian ambassador to the British
court As the third commissioner, the
British government proposed NJ. Del
fosse, Belgian minister to the United
states, He was rejected by the pres
ident ON the ground that his country's
interests were too closely allied with
those Of Great Britain. Furthermore he
was not generally considered in WISH
lnston as personally competent for such
an important position. But the
Austrian ambassador, regardless OF
the courtesy due this country desig-
mated Delfosse. He and the British
commissioner found against the Unit
ed States, the American member dis
senting. This government was ad.
judged in duty bound to pay to Great
Britain bh million dollars In gold.
Deifosse' 1t was said had told his
friends that he had voted for Great
Britain because II was that country's
turn to win" That was clearly an out
rage. But the money was paid. be-
cause the countrys honor demanded
the sacrifice.
Canada has no cause for bitter feel
ings against this country. The decls-
ion was but I'm accordance with facts