Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-03
THE AMERICAN CASE.
Abstract Of United States Evidences an
AruumOnt in Alaskan Boundary.

Abstract Of United States Evidence an
Argument in Alaskan Boundary.
Washington, Sept 3.-Following Il
an abstract Of the case of the United
Estates before the Alaskan boundarx
tribunal:
The documents covering the Amer.
lean presentation of the case comprise
three volumes. a total OF 1.100 pages
In addition there are also two volumes
of maps. The largest Of the volumes OF
the text contains the original state.
ment by the American commissioners
while one of the smaller volumes pre-.
sents the American counter case in re.
joiner to the British case and the other
arguments Of the American commits
sioners.
In the first volume the questions al
| issue are named: What is intended to
be the point of commencement of thA
line of demarkation between the Unite
ed States and Canada. What is thl
Portland Canal. What course the lint
should take to the entrance Of that
canal; to what point OF the 56th parable
the line should be drawn from the hea{
of the Portland canal, and other famii.
lar questions are discussed. Also an
strip OF territory along the coast on the
mainland, that Russia conveyed to the
United States by the treaty Of 1857.
The United States contends that It
was the intention Of the powers which
signed the treaty of 1926 to confirm IN
full sovereignty to Russia OF con-
tinuous strip along the continental
shores of the northwest coast Of Ann
erica, extending from the Portland
canal to 141st Meridian longitude west
to Greenwich, and that such strip
was to be ten marine leagues, measured
from the heads of all CULTS and other
arms of the sea, unless there was,
within that distance q range OF nouns
tains. The contention Is further made
that there is no such mountain range.
It is also urged that the United States
has occupied this strip Of territory ever
since acquisition from Russia, and
that Russia controlled 1t since the
treaty of 1895, until ceded to the Unit
ed States In 1867.
In the counter statement the Amer
fcan commission makes a rejoiner to
the points covered in the presentation
Of the British side of the case, which,
ii appears, contains twenty or more
documents hitherto not given TO the
public. The additional evidence re-
ferred to bears upon the negotiations
which took place between Great Brit
ain and Russia during the years 1923
to 1925, and 1t Is contended that this
new evidence in no way alters any ma
tertai contention made in the original
allegations; but on the contrary con-
firms and strengthens the position OF
the United States. In support Of the
American contention that the strip
should measure from tide water and
from the heads of the bays and inlets
a number OF depositions are produced
in connection with the counter case go-
ing to show occupations of this strip
by settlers Of the United States since
$780,
Discussing the boundaries proposed
by Great Britain the commission makes
reference to the instability of the Cana
dain contention on this point and con-
cludes: !" The United States has from
the time Of cession of Alaska to the
present day maintained but one inter-
probation Of the treaty of 1925. Its
position has been open, known to the
world. 1t is same which was presented
the tribunal in its case and which u
now reiterates in this counter case.