Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1903-10-23
III. .A,n.L.n Am.rh.

LONDON, Oct s0.-2:20 p. m.-The en-
grossd copy OF the Alaskan award was
signed at 2:l0 p. m. The Canadian
commissioners. Messrs. A~ylesworth and
Jette, declined to sign the award. but
Will submit their contrary opinions to
the tribunal, 50 4 to 60 officially on
record. While they declined 10 sign
the award they signed the maps agreed
on by the msjority.
The award relating to the Portland
canal gives the United States two
stands. Kannaghurot and Sitklar, COM
mand OF the entrance, destroying the
straCetic value of Wales and Pearse
islands, winch are given to Canada.
The mountain line adopted as the
boundary lies so from the coast ne tu
give the United States substantially all
the territory in dispute. The line com.
p!ctely clears all the bays and mlets
aud means o. access to the sea. giving
h United States d complete land bar.
rier between Canada mud the sea, from
the Portland canal to- Mount ST. Elias.
Around the head Of the Lynn canal the
line follows the water sued. somewhat
il accordance with the present provis-
ional boundary.
In consequence Of the attitude main
tanned by the Canadian commissioners,
Lord Chief Justice .Alverstone decided
this morning not To hold the proposed
public meeting of the Alaskan boundary
Commission. but TO hand it's decision To
Messrs. Foster and Siftnn, respectively
agents Of the American and Canadian
governments.
The Canadian commissioners not only
declined to sign the award, out said
they would publicly withdraw from the
commission, They, as we'll as the Can
adams connected with the case, ARE
very bitter. Telegrams from Premier
Laurier and other prominent persons i'll
Canada show that this sentiment is
shared generally throughout the dcmIn-
ion.
Messrs. Jet and .Ayleswortb, in II
statement OF their reasons for refusing
to sign the award. say they consider the
finding Of the tubuLal regarding the
islands at the entrance Of Portland
canal and the mountain line is not n
judicial one. They add:
W urged orr views as strongly as
we were able but we have been COM
PEELED to witness the sacrifice Of the i'll.
terests Of Canada. We were powerless
TO prevent 1t, though satisfied that the
curse which the majority. was deter.
mined to pursue in respect to the mat
ters above specially referred 20 Ignored
the just rights or Canada.
WAsHINGToN. Oct. 2O.-Secreiary Hay
today received a Telegram from John W.
Foster Of American counsel before the
Alaskan Boundary Commission. fixing
the details Of the award 81 that commits
sion. The c%ablegrLm shows that the
contention Of the United States has
been granted in almost every case.
One OF the most important nc Iuisi.
tons is The confirmation ~ the American
title to the Whit" pass and Clrilkoot
pass, the only practical available ell.
trance to the Klondike country from the
head OF the island waterway. in the for.
mer of which stands the Canadian Gus.
tom housc which must now give way to
American control. The northern houu.
Diary stands exactly US it was claimed by
the Americans thrifty years ago.
What Mr.. Foster cables touching the
Portland canal. goes to diminish the
importance Of even that slight Canadian
victory. for he confirms the London re-.
port to the effect that FREQ navigation Of
that waterway on the western side with
fnll control Of the western shore is re-.
tanned by the United States, while the
loss Of Pcar5e and Wales island from the
extreme American claim is partially met
by confirmation to the title OF two other
isl lnds at the mouth Of the canal which
from u military point Of view dominate
the proposed terminus Of the canal.