Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-11
ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
Decision of the Commission Removes
Question Which Caused Alarm. 5


For several years past the rapid de-
velopment of Alaska and the establish
ment OF growing American interests in
regions therefore unSurveyed and imper-
fectly known brought into prominence the
urgent necessity of a practical demarca-
ton of the boundaries between the juris-
d1ctionS of the United States and Great
Britain. Although the treaty of 1925 be-
tween Great Britain and Russia, the pro-
visions of which were copied in the treaty
of 1867, whereby Russia conveyed 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
cluding the islands to the westward its
description of the landward margin of the
strip was indefinite resting on the sup
posed existence of a continuous ridge or
range of mountains skirting the coast.
as figured in the charts of the early navi-
gators. In 1878 uues-
tions of revenue administration on the
Stikine River led to the esta blishment of
a provisional demarcation, crossing the
channel between two high peaks on either
side, about "a miles above the river
mouth. In 1899 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 modus vivendi, by which a con-
Ven1ent separation was made at the
watershed divides of the White and Chill
koot passes, and to the north of LUX
wan, on the Klehini River. These partial
and tentative adjustments could not in
the very nature of things, be satisfactory
or lasting. permanent disposition of
the matter became imperative.
After unavailing attempts to reach an
understanding through Joint High Com
mission. followed by prolonged negotia-
tiOns, conducted in an amicable spirit a
convention between the United States and
Great Britain was signed January "a. 1903,
providing for an examination of the SUBJ
ject by a mixed tribunal of six members,
three on a side, with view to it's final
disposition. Ratifications were EXCHANGED
on March last. whereupon the two gov
ernmentS appointed their respective men,
bers. This tribunal met in London
on September 8, under the presidency of
Lord Alverstone. The proceedings were
expeditions, and marked by a friendly
and Conscientious spirit. The respective
cases, counter cases, and arguments pre-
sented the issues clearly and fully. On
the 10th of October a majority of the
tribunal reached and signed an agreement
on all the questions submitted by the
terms of the convention.
lie award is self-eXecuting on the vital
points. To make it effective as regards
governments to appoint. each on it's own
behalf, one or more scientific experts,
who shall, with all convenient speed, pro-
ceed together to lay down the boundary
line in accordance with the decision of the
majority of the tribunal. I recommend
that the Congress make adequate pro-
vision for the appointment compensation
and expenses of the members to serve on
this joint boundary commission on the
part of the United States.