The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-28
ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
United States Wins on Every Point
Canadian Commissioners in
the Sulks Over Their Defeat.

London, Oct. 20.-In consequence
of the attitude maic tained by the
Canadian commissioners Lord Chief
Justice Alvertsone decided this morn
ing not TO hold the proposed public
meeting of the Alaskan boundery COM
mission, out to hand it's decision to
Messers. Foster and Sifton, respective
agents of the American and Canadian
Governments.
The Canadian commissioners not
only decline to sign the award, but
said they would publicly withdraw
from the commission. They as well as
all of the Canadians connected with
the case, are very bitter. Telegrams
from Premier Laurier and other
prominent persons in Canada, show
that this sentiment is shared generally
throughout the Dominion.
The Alaska award relating to the
Portland Canal gives the United
States two islands, Kannaghunut and
Sitklan, commanding the entrance OF
the Portland channel and the ocean
passage to Port Simpson, and destroy
| ing the strategic values of Wales and
Pearse Islands, which are given to
Canada.
The change in the Alaskan pro-
cedure (due to Lord Alverstone's de-
eision not to hold the proposed meet
ing and to hand the tribunals de-
cision to the American and Canadian
Government agents) caused much as
tonishment, among the people who
crowded the corridors adjoining the
war rooms. Ambassador Choate, as
we'll as the Canadians and others i'm
mediateIy connected with the case
were admitted to the room where the
tribunal had been holding the open
sessions, but the commissioners re-
mained closeted in the Cabinet room.
The secretary of the commission Regi-
maid T. Tower finally emerged and In
formed the waiting CROWD that no pup.
lie session would be held, and that
the award would he made public
through the ssagents. No explanation
was offered and but four persons knew
that the attitude of the Canadian com
nissioners was responsible for--the
awkward change.
The Canadians feel very sore over
the outcome. They almost openly
accused Lord Alyerstone Of partisan
ship. When the latter presented them
| to King Edward at Buckinham Palace
yesterday, tie King endeavored vainlJ
| to enduce Messers. Jette and Ayles
| worth to say they were satisfied, OF
| that they accepted the situation bu1
| the two Canadians declined to in any
way express acquiescence with this
view. They simply shook hands
formally and bowed.
| GA PARTING OF THE WAYS"
One of the Canadian commissioner:
afterwards said to representative O.
! the Associated Press:
"This award affects much more the
| relations between the Dominion an6
| the mother country than people here
seem to realize and almost marks tht
! parting Of the ways at least SO far az
leaving any such question for England
to decide for US. "a
Messers. Jette and Aylesworth the
Canadian Commissioners IN state
ment of their reasons for refusing tt
sign the award said they consider the
fnding of the tribunal regarding the
islands at the entrance Of Portland
channel and the mountain line is moi
judicial one. They add:
"We urged our views as strongly as
we were able but we have been com
PEELED to witness the sacrifice of the
Interests of Canada. We we're power
less to prevent it though satisfied that
the course which the majority was
determined to pursue in respect to the
matters above especially referred tc
ignore the just rights of Canada.
Messers. Aylesworth and Jette will
submit their contrary opinions to the
| tribunal SO as to 90 officially on record
and while they declined to sign the
award, they signed the maps agreed or
| bv tho ma ioritv