The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-08
ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The Result ofthe Decision Is sotisfac-
tory to This Country.


tory to This Country.
For several years past the RAPID develop
ment of Alaska ana the establishment Of
growing American interests IN regions
heretofore unsurv5yed and imperfecLy
known brought into prominence the urgent
necessity OF a practical demarcation OF the
boundaries between the Jurisdictions or
tie United States and Great britain. Al
though the treaty of 1875 between Great
Britain and Russo. the provisions OF which
were copied n the treaty OF lSo1. whereby
Russia conveyed Alaska 10 the United
States, was positive as to the control. first
by Russia and later by the United States,
OF a strip Of territory along the continental
mainland from the western shore or Port
land canal 10 Mount ST. Elias. following
aid surrounding the indentations OF the
coast and including the islands 10 tie west
ward, its description OF the lanGwar6 mar
gin OF the strip was indefinite. resting on
the supposed existence OF = continuous
ridge or range offmountains skirting the
coast, as figured in the charts OF the early
nayigators. Ii had al no time been possible
for either party in interest TO lay down.
under the authority of the treaty. lire
SO obviously exact accorcing/to its provi-
sions as 20 command the assent OF the
other. For nearly three-fourtns OF CEN
tury the absence of tangible local interests
demanding the exercise OF positive juris-
diction on either side of the border left
the question dormant. In 1873 questions OF
revenue administration on the Stlklne river
/ LED 20 the establishment OF provisional
demarcation, crossing the channel between
two high peaks on either size about n
miles above the river mouth; In 1893 SIM
liar questions growing out OF the extraor-
binary development of mining interests
in the region about the head CT Lynn canal
brought abouta temporary mocrs Vivendi,
by which a convenient separation vas
made at the watershed divides of the White
and Chikoot passes and 10 the north of
klukwan, on the klehini river. These
partial and tentative adjustments could
not, inSthe very nature of things. be salts
factory or lasting. permanent disposi-
ton OF the matter became imperative.
understanding through joint high com
mission. followed By prolonged negotia-
tons, conducted in an amicable spirit, a
convention between the United States and
Great Britain was signed. January "a, 1903.
providing for an examination Oh Ire SUB
ject by q mixed tribunal of six members.
three on side, with view 10 its final dis
March 3 last, whSreupon the two govern
ments appointed their respective members.
Those on behalf of the United States were
Eiihu Root. secretary OF War. Henry
Cabot Lodge, a senator of the United
States. and George Turner. an ex-senator
of the United States. while Great Britain
named the Right Honorable Lord Aver
stone. lord chief justice of England. Sir
Louis Amabie Jette. Il. e. NJ e.. retired
Judge OF the supreme COURT OF quebec. ana
A Z. Aylesworth X. c.. of Toronto. This
tribunal met in London on September 3,
under the presidency OF Lord Aiverstone:
The proceedings were expeditions, and
marked by a friendly and conscientious
spirit. Tie respective cases, counter cases
and arguments presented the issues clear
ly and fully. On the 10th Of October a ma
jority Of the tribunal reached and signed
an agreement on ali the questions submit
ted by the terms OF the convention by
this award the right OF the United States
TO the control OF a continuous strip or Dor
der OF the mainland shore. skirtlng all ne
coast is confirmed; the entrance 10 Port
land canal Concerning which legitimate
doubt appeared) is defined as passing by
Tongass inlet ard to the northwestward OF
Wales and Pearse islands: a line IS drawn
from the head OF Portland canal 10 the
ffty-sixth degree OF north latitude: and
the interior border line Of the strip IS fixed
by lines connecting certain mountain sum
mits lying between Portland canal and
Mount St. Elias. and running along the
crest of the divide separating the coast
slope from the inland watershed at the
only part of the frontier where the drain
age ridge approaches the coast within the
distance of ten marine leagues stipulated
by the treaty as the extreme width Of the
strip around the heads Of Lynn cana! and
its branches.
While the line so traced follows the pro-
visional cemarcation of 1878 at the crossing
of the Stiktne river. and mat OF 1888 at the
SUBMITS of the White and Chilkoot passes,
1t runs much farther inland from the k.e-
hini than the temporary line of the later
modus vivend.. and leaves the entire min
ing district of the Porcuprs river and
Glacier creek within the jurisdiction OF the
] I
The result Is satisfactory in every way
II is of great material advantage TO
our people in the far northwest. It has re-
moved from the field Of discussion and
possible danger question Liable TO be-
come more acutely accumulated with each
passing year. Finally. it has furnished
q signal proof of the fairness and coed
will with which TWO friendly nations can
approach and determine issues involving
national sovereignty and BY their ra-
ture incapable of submission 20 a third
power for adjudica ton.
The award is self-execut!ng on the vital
points. To make il effective as regards
the others II only remains fer the two
governments to appoint, each On its own
who shall. with all convenient speed, pro-
coed together TO lay down the boundary
line in accordance with the decision CT
the majority OF the tribunal. I Teconl-
mend that the congress make adequate
provision for the appointment compen-
sation and expenses OF the members to
serve on this joint boundary com;n5s-
sion on the part of the United States.
Claims Against Venezuela.
It will be remembered that during the
second session of the last congress Great
Britain. Germany and Italy formed an
alliance for the purpose OF DlOckad-nS
the ports Of Venezuela and using such
other means OF pressure as would secure
a settlement OF claims due. as they al
legged. to certain Of their subjects. Their
employment of force for the collection Of
these claims was term mated by an agree
ment brought about through the Offices
Of the diplomatic representa- lives OF the
nited States at Caracas and the gov
eminent at Washington. thereby ending
a situation which was bound 20 calss-
increasing friction and which feOnsTded
the peace OF the continent Under this
agreement Venezuela agreed 70 SCI apart
q certain percentage Of the customs re-
ceiptS OF two Of her ports 20 DC applied
to the payment Of whatever obllga;ioas
might be asce-taiaed h. mixed comm g.
SiOnS appointed fCr that purpose 70 be
due from her. not only 10 the three pow
ers already mentioned. whose proceed
ings against her had resulted in a state or
war. but also 10 the United States. rrsE-e,
Spain. Belgium. the Netherlands. STecsu
and NorGav. and Mexico. who had no;
employed force for the objection Dt -
claims alleged TO be due to certain %
their citizens
A demand was then made ~ ne So
called biockading powers that the siIras
sscertained TO be due 10 their citizens b.
such mixed commission should Re accord
ed payment in fun before anything was
called peace powers Venezuela. "a the
other ha1i. insisted that all her crca tor
should be paid upon basis or eDsct
equality Dt.ring the efforts = adjust
ers in interest that IL should be referred
TO ne for decision. but vas clearly
az the opinion that far wiser course
would be 20 submit the question 70 ne
permanent court os arbitration n Tne
Hague L seemed 10 re 70 oHer an al
mirable opportunity 20 advance the rrec-
tiCe OF the peaceful settlement o. cis-
uritcs between nations a-1 u EecGre tc~
The Hague tribunal memorable tr-
crease % IS practical importance. The
nations infere Ste,f N the controversy
were so numerous ard IN rna1r instances
50 powerful az &c make i sviirr. that
benefcelt results would follow f-c-
their appearance a. the Scr1e tire bafgrs
The bar Of tEa1 august tribunal 81 resce-
orr :. a.
izsr Russia ard kustT.a are represr1--z
N .he persons q The IAN. 1nl a.s----