Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-10-21
United States Victory.


United States Victory.
Washington, Oct. 19.-The conten-
ton of the United States regarding
the Portland canal was the weakest
part OF the American case and the
strongest point in the Canadian con.
lention. 1t is but a minor detail Of the
that the Portland canal ran to the
north of two small islands; the Amer
ican contention was that the channel
ran alongside of these islands. On
this point there was ground for argu.
ment. Pearse island and the other
small islands are both Of small or lit
tie importance and their acquisition
gives no particular advantage. The
boundary commission decision rem
dered along the lines indicated by the
Associated Press will be a complete
victory for the United States. The
state department is naturally profound
ly gratiiied that an agreement has
been reached. AS was pointed out to-
night by high official the decision is
a complete justification of our claims,
the American case has been presented
and tribute to the fairness and broad
mindedness of the British members of
the commission"
The effect of the decision, it is stat.
ed here, is to leave the Alaskan bound.
ary where it is now. The main point
OF the contention involved the outlet
from the Klondike gold fields at the
head Of Lynn canal including the ports
Of Skagway and Dyea, through which
ne Klondike business is transacted.
These ports remain American terri.
tory.
The decision is taken to concede the
American claim to strip Of territory
10 leagues in width from American
waters and extending from the head Of
Portland canal to the 141st meridian
of west longitude. The Americans
laid especial stress upon their conten.
ton that this strip should be measured
from the heads Of the estuaries or
bays, while the Canadians argued that
the measurements should be from the
main water OF the ocean. The control
Of the sites Of Skagway and Dyea are
in the territory involved.
Dissatisfied Canadians.
Ottawa, Ont, Oct. 19.-The Cana.
dian government has not yet received
Official notice of the reported decision
in favor OF America In the Alaskan
boundary case. IL the decision Is as
reported. namely, that only Portland
canal Of the disputed territory is to
remain in Canadian territory. there is
q feeling In official circles that the
dominion has not much to be thankful
for. Canada, In holding the Portland
canal, retains Wales and Pearse ISL
ands, which overlook Port Simpson,
the proposed terminus of the Grand
Trunk Pacific. 1t would be inconven-
lent to have lost these islands, but as
they were clearly marked on Vancou.
ver's map as being in Canada, 1t is dif.
fcult to see how this could have been
done. AS the government has no of.
fetal information, none Of the minis.
ters will speak on the subject for pub
lication. North of Port Simpson. Can.
ada will have NO harbor and no out
let on the Pacific coast from the Yu-
kon gold fields.
In the house of commons Mr.. Cur
ley. member for Colchester, Nova
Scotia. whose speeches In the house
have gained for him much notoriety,
took occasion to refer to the decision
in the Alaskan case. He said:
III the news is correct we hear In
the corridors, and I hope 1t is not. all
that the United States has got to do
is to make for Canada. and they will
get 1t by boastfulness and dishonest
effort. II 1t is true. we might as well
throw away our national aspirations
The last two generations Of English
men were degenerates and towards.
They have had no leader since Pitt
died. Thank God, Chamberlain is gal.
vanizing them and putting new blood
in them"
Mr.. Ross (Victorla. Cape Breton)
protested against speaking about Eng
lishmen in this way. and Mr.. Gurley
retorted that they went around with
blinds on, unfit to drive sheep across
the country.