The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-10-23
alaska IS OUR TERRITORY
DECISION BY ALASKAN BOUND.
AIRY COMMISSION.
All the American Contentious But One
Have Been Granted-Portland Canal
Case Their Strongest and Our Weak
est-Boundary Practically I'm
changed-Canadians Gloomy.

London, Oct. 19.-The Alaskan
boundary commission has verbally
agreed to grant all the American con
tentions except that of the Portland
canal which goes to Canada.
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
tention. 1t is but minor detail of the
CONTROVERSY. The Canadians contend
that the Portland canal ran TO the
north of two small islands; the Amer
lean 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 gratified that an agreement has
been reached. AS was pointed out to-
night by high official the decision is
a complete justification of our claims,
and evidence of the skill with which
the American case has been presented
and a 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
airy 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
the KlOndike business is transacted.
These ports remain American terri
tory.
The decision is taken to concede the
American claim to a 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. If the decision is as
reported, namely, that only Portland
canal of the disputed territory is to
remain in Canadian territory, there is
a 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, it is diff
ficult 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
location. 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
Low CA1ohAcfN-
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:
"If the news is correct we hear in
the corridors, and l hope it is not, all
that the United States has got to dc
is to make for Canada, and they will
get it by boastfulness and dishonest
effort. If it is true. we might as vel
throw away our national aspirations
The last two generations Of English
men were degenerates and towards
They have had no leader since Pit
died. Thank God, Chamberlain is gal
vanizing them and putting new blood
in them"
Mr.. Ross (Victoria. Cape Breton'
protested against speaking about Eng
lishmen in this way, and Mr.. Gurley
retorted that they went around will
blinds on, unfit to drive sheep acros:
the country.
Miss Jessie Gibson Of Indianapolis
who recently graduated from the Mas
coobucoffc Ipctittrfa Of Tacbpo1oou