New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-20
ALASKAN AWARD SIGNED


explanation OF the dispute the boundary
and brief outline Of the subject
The decision OF the Alaskan Boundary Commits
sion" he said. lis merely q recognition Of the
rights Of the United States which they purchased
from Russia in 1861 In a treaty between Russia and
Great Britain in ISIS the boundary between the two
countries in Alaska fixed. ard when the United
States purchased Alaska she acquired the territory
which belonged 10 Russia which defined
in the treaty q ISIS between Russia and Great
Britain.
Until the gold discovery few years -go there
dispute between the United States and Great
Britain TO the boundary The disputed bound
airy line submitted 10 the United States and
British Joint High Commission. which met at que
bee in 1898.
Under the treaty the boundary line. speaking
generally. begin at the sOuthernmost point
OF Prince Of Wales Island. run thence up the Port
land Canal and mainland the ffty-sixtn parallel
of latitude and thence follow the summit Of the
mountains situated parallel the coast. but. IL
there were mountains then the line should not
be more than ten marine leagues from the coast
until reaching point near Mount ST. Elias. where
il was to run north to the frozen ocean
The dispute with which the commission has
been concerned is the boundary south OF Mount st
Elias. The American contention that under
the treaty between Russia and Great Britain the
latter was excluded from an outlet the
ocean and that the coast line should follow around
the heads OF all che inets. while the British con-
tended that the line should from headland to
headland. II their contention had prevailed. Skag
way Dyea and other settlements many miles from
the mouths of the inlets would have fallen into
British territory. Under the decision. these belong
10 the United states as have always cOntended-
There was some ground Of dispute as to the line
entering Portland Canal The canals mentioned in
connection with the boundary. It should be under
stood. are natural, and not artificial. waterways.
They are very deep and. in some places. very wide
The entrance to Portland Canal is in latitude q 10
north being the northern boundary Of Canada on
the Pacific Coast. Lying at the mouth Of the canal
are two islands known Wales and Pearse ISL
ands The American contention vas that the line
entered the canal the southeast side OF these
Islands while the British commended that II lay
along the northwest side OF them There Is an
annie waterway on either side While was N
Alaska In 1899 examining the boundary. went up
the Northwest side OF the Islands and came Gov
the southeast side The islands are covered VIZ. ~
timber They comparatively sIaaI4 anu d. -
little commercial Importance ,.-.tuur
'Tha decision Of the commission IS slOstal llaHy
In accordance with the uniform claim OF Jhe IItSH
States which maintained by ne JoLuf =. *
Commission at both Quebec and WasnlnglOIL
Tire decision BY means surprise 10 Il407O
who have critically examined the subject 49,.
THE correspondence between Russia ana Tieae
britain at the time the treaty or 80 was uSSo
tiated. and the maps which have been lssueG oS
the photographer Of the United states erett BIZ
ain and Canada and other countries. recognize Il
boundary as claimed by the United states. ne ue
rision is erinently just TO both the Jnited states
and Great Britain. A question Of dispute mas oeen
settled in an honorable way. and one serious 49,
/ OF friction between two neighborly powers mas
; been removed. In short. the rights OF tne 10
has lost any substantial interest TO which IL nao
4 right