Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-12-10

Of the coast AMI including the islands TO
the westward, its description of the land
ward margin OF the strip was indefinite
resting on the supposed existence of a con-
tinuons ridge or range of mountains skirt
ing the coast. as figured in the Charts of
the early naVigators. 1t had at no time
been possible for either party in interest
10 lay down, under the authority of the
treaty. line so obviously exact accord
ing TO its provisions as TO command the
assent OF the other. For nearly three
fourths of a century the absence of tangi-
bile local interests demanding the exercise
of positive jurisdiction on either side of
the border left the question dormant In
lsiS questions Of revenue administration
on the Stikine river led to the establish
ment of a provisional demarcation cross
ing the channel between two high peaks
On either side about twenty -four miles
above the river mouth. In 1899 similar
questions growing out of the extraordinary
development of mining interests In the
region ahout the head of LYNN canal
brought about temporary modus vivendi
bv which convenient separation was
made at the watershed divides of the
White and Chilkoot passes and to the
north of Klukwan, on the NIeh'ni river
These partial and tentative adjustments
could not, in the very nature of things, he
satisfactory or lasting. A permanent dis
position of the matter became Imperative
After unavailin" attempts to reach an
understanding through a joint high COM
mission. followed by prolonged negotia-
lions. 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 sub
ject by mixed tribunal of six members,
three on a side. with a view to its final
disposition. Notifications were exchanged
on March last, whereupon the two gov
sernments appointed their respective mem
bers Those on behalf of the Unit States
were Elihu Root, Henry Cabot Lodge and
George Turner, an ex-senator of the United
States, while Great Britain named Lord
Alyerstone, Sir Louis Amable Jette, retired
judge of the supreme court of Quebec and
A. b. Aylesworth of Toronto This tribunal
met in London September g. under the
presidency of Lord Alverstone. The pro-
eeedings We're expeditions, and marked by
friendly ana conscientious spirit. The
respective cases. counter cases, and argu-
ments presented the issues clearly and
fully. On the Goth of October a majority
of the tribunal reached and signed an
agreement on all the questions submitted
by the terms of the convention. By this
award the right of the United States to
the control of a continuous strip or border
of the mainland shore, skirting all the
tide-water inlets and sinuosities of the
coast, is confirmed; the entrance to Port
land canal concerning which legitimate
doubt appeared is defined as passing by
Tongass inlet and to the northwestward
of Wales and Pearse islands: line is
drawn from the head of Portland canal to
the ffty-sixth degree of north latitude;
and the interior border line of the strip Is
fixed by lines connecting certain mountain
Mount st. Elias, and running along the
crest of the divide separating the coast
slope from tho 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 canal and
its branches.
While the line so traced follows the pro-
visional demarcaton of 1873 at the crossing
of the Stikine river, and that of 1899 at the
submits of the White and Chilkoot passes,
it runs much farther inland from the Kle-
hini than the temporary line of the later
modus yiyendi. and leaves the entire min
ing district Of the Porcupine river. and
Glacier creek within the jurisdiction of the
United States.
The result is satisfactory in every way.
1t is of great material advantage to our
people in the far northwest. 1t has re-
moved from the field of discussion and
possible danger Il question liable 10 become
more acutely accentuated with each pass
ing year. Finally, it has furnished single
proof of the fairness and good will with
which two friendly nations can approach
and determine issues involving national
sovereignty and by their nature incapable
of submission to a third power for adjudi-
cation.
The award is self-executing on the vital
points. To make it effective as regards the
others it only remains for the two govern
ments to appoint, each on its own behalf,
one or more scientific experts, who shall,
with all convenient speed, proceed together
to lay down the boundary line in
accordance with the decision of the ma
jority of the tribunal. I recommend that
the congress make adequate provision for
penses of the members TO serve on this
joint boundary commission on the part of
the United States.
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