Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-12-10

growing American interests IN regions
therstefore u~nsurreyed and imperfectly
k1oWn brought into prominence the argent
necessity OF q practical demarcatfon Of the
oetWeen the jurisdictions OF
though The treaty or iS1s between Great
Britain ard Russia, the provisions Of which
we're copied IN b treaty OF 1861. whereby
RUSSIA conveyed Alaska 70 the United
by Russia and later BY the United States.
o. a strir 81 territofy along the continental
mainland from the western shore Of Port
land canal 70 Mount 81. Elias, following
coast and including the Islands 10 tue vest
ward. It's description of the landward mar
gin OF the strip was indefinite. resting on
ridge or range OF mountains skirting the
coast. as figured in the charts OF the early
nafigators, II bad at no time been possible
Nr either party N interest to lay down,
50 obviously sxact according 10 rs provi-
other.
After ~unAvaiiing attempts to reach an
Understandings through a joint high com
mission. followed by prolonged negotia-
lions. conducted in an amicahle spirit, q
convention between the United States and
Great Britain vas signed. January "a, 1905,
providing Tor an examination OF the sub
lect by a mixed tribunal Of six members.
three on 8 side. with a view 10 Its final dis
position. Ratfhcationa were exchanged on
March J last, whSrerpon the two govern
Those o. behalf Of the United States we're
klihu Root secretary OF War; Henry
cabot Lodge, a senator OF the United
States and Gterge Turner, an ex-senator
OF the United States. while Great Britain
aamed the Right Honorable Lord Alver-
stone. lord chief justice OF England; Sir
Louis Amabie Jette. X. c. NJ O., retired
Judge Of the supreme court Of Quebec, and
A II ANlaeUnrrh x q ~ Tnrarfr Thta
tribunal met in London on September 9
under the presidency Of Lord Aiverstone.
The proceedings were expeditions. and
spirit The respective cases. counter cases
n arguments presented the issues clear
ly and fully. On the 2oth Of October a ma
iority Of the tribunal reached and signed
an agreement on all the questions submit
ted by the terms of the convention. BY
this award the right OF the United States
to the control OF a continuous strip or bor-
der OF the mainland shore. skirting AL the
inlets n ~sinuosities OF the
coast, Is confirmed; the entrance to Port
a canal concerning which legitimate
doubt appeared Is defined as passing by
3 inlet and 70 the northwestward Of
Wales and Pearse Islands; a line Is trawn
from the head OF Portland canal 10 the
hfty-sixtk degree Of north latitude: and
the interior border line OF the strip Is fixed
by lines connecting certain mountain sum
mits lying between Portland canal and
Mount st. Elias, n running along the
crest of the divide separating the coast
slope from the inland watershed Al the
only part OF the frontier where tile drain
g ridge approaches the coast within the
distance of ten marine leagues stipulated
by the treaty as the extreme width Of the
strip around the heads Of Lynn canal and
its branches.
The award Is seIf-execntsng on the vital
points. To make Il effective as regards
the others II only remains for the two
governments to appoint, each on its
who shall. with all convenient speed. pro-
together 10 lay Down the boundary
line in accordance with the decision VI
the majority OF the tribunal. l recon-
mend that the congress make adequate
provision for the appointment eompen-
sation and expenses Of the member to
serve on his joint boundary commits.
sion on the part OF the United States
Claims Against Venezuela.
II will be remembered that during the
second session OF the last congress Great
Germany and Italy formed an
alliance for the purpose OF blockading
the ports Of Venezuela and using such
other means OF pressure ms would secure
a settlement OF claims due, as they al
to certain Of their subjects. Their
employment OF force for the collection Of
claims was terminated by an agree
brought about through the offices
Of the diplomatic representatives Of the
States at Caracas and the gov
eminent at Washington, thereby ending
4 situation which was buund 70 cause
Increasing friction. aud which jeoparded
the peace Of The continent Under this
agreement Venezuela agreed 10 set apart
4 certain percentage az tho customs re-
Of two OF her ports 10 be applied
10 the payment OF whatever obligations
be ascertalned by mixed commits
appointed for that purpose % be
iue from her. not only 10 the three pow
FRS already mentioned, whose proceed
ngs against her had resulted In a state OF
war, but also 10 the United States, France.
spain. Belgium. the Netherlands, Sweden
Norway. and Mexico, who had not
employed force for the collection of the |
claims alleged to be due to certain OF
heir citixenH
A demand was then made by the So
allied blcckading powers that the sums
.ascertained to be due 10 their citiyens by
,uch mixed commission should be accord. |
ID payment In fun before anything was
paid vp1n the claims Of any OF tie So
-alied peace powers Venezuela. on the
Dther had. insisted that all her creditors
'hould be paid upon a basis OF exact
During the Efforts to adjust
his dispute II was suggested by the pow
rs In interest that II should be referred
4 the opinion thai a far wiser course
would be TO submit the question to the /
court Of arbitration at The |
Hague. II seemed 10 me TO offer an ad-
nirabie opportunity 10 advance the prac- /
ice Of the peaceful settlement OF dis
lutes between nations and 10 secure for /
The Hague tribunal a memorable in |
'rease Of It's practical Importance. The
iations Interested iH the contrcversy
xere 50 numerous, and in many Instances
20 powerful as TO make Il evident thai /
results Noui1 follow from 1
heir appearance at the same time before
he bar of that ugist tribunal Of peace. /
Our hopes in that regard have been real /
zee Rus ia n Austria are represented |
n the persons Of the learned and aistln-
jurists Who compose the fr bunai.
Ehlle Great Britain, Germany. France |
Italy. Belgium. the Netherlands.
sweden and Norway, Mexico. the Tinted |
and Nenexueia are represented by |
heir respective agents and counsel Such
in imposing c~0ncourSe OF nations present
ng their arguments to and invoking the
Of that high court Of international /
ustice n international peace can hardly |
all to secure a Ike submission Of many /
uture controversies. The nations nov ap-
there viii ind IL far easier TO APP
1ear lire a second time, while no nation /
imagine It's Just pride will be lessened
following the example now presented.
This t.iuH ph OF the principle of Internal
ional arbitration Is a subject of warm con-
.ratulation and offers a happy augury for
he peace OF the world.
Relations with Turkey.
Early ia July. having received inteIli-
fence. which happily turned out TO be
of the assassination Of our vice /
at Beirut. ] dispatched a small
- tfat port for such service as
be found necessary on arrival Al |
hough the attempt on the life Of our vice
sonsui had not been successful, yet the
was s-ymptomatic of a state of
disorder which demanded
immediate attention. The arrival OF the
fesseis had the happiest result. A feeling
security al once took the place Of the
lormEr alarm and uisquiet. our officers
we're cOrpsally welcomed by the consular
,ody and the leading merchants. and or
business resumed Its activity. The
Of the sultan CAV n consider |
Ite hearing TO the RI presentations Of our
Minister; the of1cial who vas Fegarded as
i~esponsihle for the d!sturbcd condition Of
lnairs was removed, Our relations With
he TurkiSk government fmata friendly;
ur claims founded On ~inequitabie treat
lppeAr 10 be In process Of arleable adjust
nent
IONS with China.
The signing Of a new commercial treaty
China. which took place al Shanghai
n the sfh Of October. IS a cause FOR sat
This act. the result OF long dis
and negotiation. places our com
lercisi relations with the great oriental
on a more satisfactory footing than
save ever heretofore enjoyed. Il pro-
not only for the ordinary righ.s and
fheers. but also for an important exten-
lon Of our by Increased faclifg
( access 10 Chinese ports. and for the
slief Of trade BY the removal Of some Of
obstacles which have embarrassed Il
the past The Chinese government en-
ihieh viii probably be accepted by the |
commercial nations. 10 abandon
10 levy OF "liken" and other transit dues