Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-10-08
Decision on Alaskan Boundary
Dispute Awaited-Argu-
ments Nearly Completed
AMERICANS RATHER HOPEFUL
They Are Very Guarded in Their Ex-
pressions of Their Hope, However,
interesting Private Developments
Likely Should American Case I'm.
press Lord Alverstone.

London, Oct. S.--Jacob NJ. Dickinson
of American counsel, tho on the fourth
day of his speech, resumed his argu-
ment before the Alaskan boundary
commission yesterday in excellent
voice. He continued his contention as
to the meaning of the term coast as
employed in the treaty and in the
negotiations. Mr.. Dickinson is making
an excellent summing up of the case.
He deals mnutely with each point
raised in the speeches of Attorney Gen
eral Finlay and Christopher Robinson.
X c., of Canadian counsel. endeavor-
ing to refute by means of countless
references 10 legal authorities. and con-
tinues to hold the interest OF the MEM
berS of the commission and other au
ditors, interspersing his argument with
numerous other Illustrations which are
listened to with evident pleasure by
Attorney General Finlay and opposing
counsel and by the commissioners
themselves.
Mr.. Dickinson emphasized the AM
eriean contention on the meaning of the
word coast and concluded the morn
ing session with declaring there could
be no doubt. judging from the maps
the coast line must run as claimed by
the United States. Mr. Mccormick
the United States ambassador at st.
Petersburg, was among those present
at the proceedings yesterday.
Mr.. Dickinson during the afternoon
a line ran around the heads OF all
bays and inlets. Each government con-
cerned during the seventy years follow
ing 1925, either put forward, or ac-
cepted as correct maps showing this.
1t was not until 1895 that Great Britain
claimed the line should run elsewhere
The lease of the territory to the Hud
son Bay company left no doubt anent
the understanding between Great Bril-
tain and Russia regarding the extent
Of the lisiere Cor strip which Russia
was TO obtain by the treaty., which
correspondent with the present Amer
lean contention.
BY this evening the Alaskan boun-
Diary tribunal will probably have fin
ished all its labors except the pro-
nouncement of its decision. Jacob NJ
Dickinson, of American counsel, ex-
poets to say the last word IN the con-
troversy before the Adjournment OF the
afternoon session. after which the
commissioners will consider the arr
guments among themselves in private.
They are not expected to take long
before announcing their decision or
their disagreement
So fully have both sides of the ques-
ton been threshed out that there will
missioners meet in private, and 1t is
generally believed that If the argu-
ments have had any influence they have
already had their effect. Nothing which
has been adduced is believed to have
weakened the previously expressed
views of the American and Canadian
members of the tribunal. What in
fluence the contentious have had on
Lord Alverstone is naturally the chief
point of interest and surmise. Unless
he sees some reason to disagree with
the Canadian case, the tribunal can
quickly agree to disagree. II the Am
erican case has impressed his lordship
some interesting private developments
are likely to occur which may delay the
decision.
In any case, the best informed opin-
ion is that some result will be reached
within two or three days after Counsel
Dickinson has closed his arguments
The Americans interested In the case
today expressed. tho in guarded
manner, a more hopeful view than they
have hitherto held