The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-18
Canada Merely Secured the Western
Channel of Portland Canal.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17-When the dis
patch from London announcing the de-
cison OF the Alaskan Boundary Commits
sion was received at the State Department
the officials said it showed Il distinct vic
tory for the United States 1T is their opin-
ion the effect of the decision regarding
the Portland canal merely gives to Cana
da possession of Pearse island. a small
island in the Portland canal. and of no
special importance This detail of the con-
troversy is admitted by State Depart
ment officials to have been open to aTgu-
ment on both sides. Pearse Island is at the
mouth of the canal. and the latter is di-
vided into two channels by the island.
Canada formerly had undisputed control of
the eastern channel Under the present de-
cison Canada will have control of the
western channel.
Secretary Hay tonight received a cable
gram from London announcing that the
Alaskan boundary commission expected TO
hand down a decision on Monday. but that
no final agreement had been reached. No
further details of the cablegram were given
out.
Commenting on the press dispatches.
high administration official said while
the Alaskan boundary commission has not
handed down formal decision, the press
announcement may be taken as correct
forecast of the nature of the decision,
which will probably be made public on
Monday. The contention of the United
States regarding the Portland canal was
the weakest part of the American case
and the strongest point In the Canadian
contention. 1t is but a minor detail of the
controversy. The Canadians contended
that the Portland channel ran TO the
north of two small islands; the American
contention was that the channel ran along
side of these islands. On this point therewas
ground for argument Pearse island and
the other small island are both of little or
Importance, and their acquisition gives
Canada practically no additional advan-
tage. The decision of the Alaska boundary
commission rendered along the lines indi-
Gated will be a complete victory for the
United States"
State Department officials are naturally
profoundly gratified that an agreement has
been reached favorable to the American
contention. AS was pointed out tonight by
high official, the decision is complete
justification of our claims, an evidence OF
the skill with which the American case has
been presented and tribute TO the fairness
and broad-mndedness ofthe British member
OF the commission. Lord Chief Justice AL
verstone"
The effect of the decision, it is stated
here. is to leave the Alaskan boundary
practically where II is now. The main
point of the Canadian 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 territory. The de-
cison is taken to concede the American
claim to strip Of territory ten leagues in
width from tidewater and extending from
the head of Portland canal to the 1Ist
meridian of west longitude. The Ameri-
cans laid especial stress upon their con-
tention that this strip should be measured
from the heads of eStuarfes or bays.
while the Canadians argued that the meas
urement should be from the main water
of the ocean. The control of the sites OF
Skagway and Dyea was involved in the
controversy.