Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-29
The Alaskan Boundary.

the relations between Canada and the
United States ever since Alaska was
bought from Russia in 1867, but the
mass of the people on both sides of the
line have very little detailed knowledge
tof the point in contention. The abb
stract of the case, as published in the
Transcript, traces the origin of the con-
troversy and the interpretations placed
by each side on the treaty between
Russia and Great Britain in 1925, which
fixed the line. This abstract, while eX-
haustive and complete, is most inter-
esting, showing how out of the same
documents curiously diverse arguments
may be made.
Both claims rest upon the treaty be-
tween Russia and Great Britain in 1925.
by which a boundary line between the
possessions of the two countries was
fxer. The Americans, of course, took
over the Russian claim when Alaska
was bought in 1867. The Americans in
sist that this country owns a strip be-
tween the mountains and the sea, ten
British control over any territory in
that limit. The British or Canadians
claim that they have right to use all
means of egress to the sea, and that by
the maps and terms of the treaty the
heads of the inlets are in Canadian ter
ritory Unless this contention can be
affirmed, Canada will continue to be
shut out from communication with the
ocean and her new plans for trans
Canadian railway whose western ter
minus shall be Port Simpson must rest
upon the friendly acquiescence and con-
sent of the United States.
The two sides agree on nothing but
the pein9 for starting the boundary line
of the coast land. which the United
States bought from Russia in 1867.
i That zpoint is Cape Muzon, the south
ernmest point of Prince of Wales Is
Hand. Thence the line, according to
the Russo British treaty of 1925, must
run to Portland Channel. It's course,
according to the United States con-
tention, is due east about seventy miles.
The British locate it a little north of
east about siXty-siX miles. This would
bring it's end opposite what Americans
call Pearse Channel The British prove
this to have been named Portland
Channel by the text of the voyage of
Captain Vancouver, who had made the
only scientific chart of the region and
named its coast and island features
clearly that Vancouver's text was not
known to the negotiators of the treaty,
though his maps were. These leave
little doubt that the treaty makers
meant by Portland Channel what
Americans claim they meant. If that
be admitted by the tribunal, the United
States will be awarded Sitklan, Wales
and Pearse islands. They command
the entrance to Port Simpson, to which
Canada is about to build her new trans
continental railway.
t. From the entrance to the head of
T Portland Channel, once this shall have
= been truly located, there can be no dis
pute. Controversy starts afresh about
the Mne from. that head to a point on
latitude 81 degrees. The United States
contends that the course from Port
land Channel should be a prolongation
of a line UP it's centre. This seems the
more certainly sound because the Cam
adams contend for a westward line
which. in reaching latitude sc degrees
would not only almost parallel that
line for sixty miles, but would place in
Canada certain territory south of Sc
degrees which is undoubtedly America.
The foregoing rapid summary is suffi-
cient here because Of the little import
ance of the tract so FAY in dispute. No
matter what is called Portland Channel,
the navigators Of both countries and of
all the world possess, by international
mel east of Wales and Pearse Islands
for passage to and from it's head.
North of latitude Sc degrees the dis
pute involves possession of the heads
of inets. the important matter at issue.
If these heads belong to the United
States. then we own all the ports that
give easy access to the yellow gold
fields. Were the heads of any inlets
awarded to Canada that of the Lynn
Canal would be- because it goes farthest
inland. Thus Canada would be enabled
to establish an all-Canadian route from
Skagway, Dyea or Pyramid Harbor to
Dawson. Title to the heads of inlets
depends on the Interpretation of the
following sentences from the treaty
description north of latitude Sc degrees:
The line of demarcation shall follow
the summit of the mountains situated