The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-02-10
A misunderstood NATTER.


airy treaty promises to defeat il before
the senate, which will be serious mat
ter to Alaska, says the Post-Intelli.
gencer Ii is not only the final set
tlement Of a vexed question which Is
involved in the ratification OF the treaty
but the opportunity which viii be af-
forded, should the proposed tribunal sit,
of definitely locating the boundary in
place, In order that there never can
hereafter be any disputes as TO its ex-
act location. or any possibility Of fric-
tion and difficulties along the border
arising out Of conflicting claims. The
development of the mineral resources
of Alaska along the country adjacent
TO the border must Of necessity be de-
layed until the final settlement Of the
matter.
The opposition is based upon right
sentiment, but upon misconception of
the proposed commission. 1t is true
that there is nothing to arbitrate in
the matter; but neither is the proposed
commission court of arbitration in
any sense. 1t is true that the people
of the United States are not prepared
to sacrifice foot of American terri
tory along the Alaska boundary, but
there is no possibility of the sacrifice of
such territory. in case the tribunal is
instituted according TO the terms of
the treaty.
The commission, composed as it is
suggested, is simply designed and in
tended to amicably discuss the ques-
tion, in the hope of arriving at an
agreement upon the subject. The fact
that it is composed of three American
and three British jurists, and that it re-
quires a majority to settle the ques-
tion, would seem sufficient TO guaran-
tee that no American rights will be sac
rifced. To oppose the submission of
such a question to such a tribunal is
to suggest that the American case is so
weak that an American jurist of high |
standing, such man as President |
Roosevelt. would be certain to appoint |
TO such an important position, would |
be compelled, out of Difference to the
law, to decide against the American
contention. Without the concurrence
of one or more of the American jurists
on the commission. there could be no
decision against the United States.
But the American case is not so
weak as the opponents of this final set
tlemant of the matter try to make ont.
On the contrary, it is so strong, so I'm
pregnably fortified, that the admins
tration has profound confidence that
some of the British jurists who will be
members Of the commission must inev-
itably be compelled to accept the Amer
lean contention, and thus permit Of the
settlement of the whole matter Had
it not been for this justifable conf
dence, there would have been no sug-
gestion of the appointment Of such a
commission, because the inevitable re-
suit OF its sitting would have been
deadlock, leaving matters precisely as
they are at present.
The Post-Intelligencer has always
and consistently opposed every sugges-
tion to submit the Alaska boundary
matter to any outside arbitrator be-
cause the United States ould not have
anything TO gain and would have ey-
erything to lose by such arbitration. :
But it does believe in the proposed COM t
mission because the United States can
not lose before it, While there is at least
q fair chance that the commission can
definitely ana finally settle the whole
matter. 1t is from its profound and I
absolute conf lence in the strength and
Of the American conten- g.,
tion ana from its belief that the Ameri- :
can case is so strong that disinterested
jurists viii themselves uphold
the contention of this country, that the
Post -Intelllgencer has accepted the
present treaty as the ideal method Of a
settling a matter which must be set .
tied in full some time or another; and q
for which no better method, in which I
the interests of the United States are J.
more Glossy guarded has been or can L
y suggested. +