The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-24
STATES OUR CLAIM IN ALASKA.
WATSON SAYS ENGLAND WAITED
.--. TILL GOLD WAS FOUND
Before She Made Any Assertion That Line
go She Had Recognized for Many Years
" Was Not C0rrect-Al Maps In Dur
Fayor-F1nlay Sums Up for Canada.
L Gable Despatch TO TIE SUN.

=. Special Gable Despatch to TIE sun.
LONDON, Sept. 23.-D. P. Watson of
the American counsel opened the case
for the United States before the Alas kan
Boundary Tribunal to-day. He con-
tended that the map OF 1867, made by the
United States, showed that the United
States had control Of all the disputed terri
tory, and that Great Britain made no pro-
Test AT that time.
MIR. Watson showed that Immediately
after the purchase Of Alaska from Russia
the United States issued map, showing
the boundary line of the territory pur-
chased. This boundary followed exactly
tho line shown ON the maps published by
Russia in 1925.
This line had been followed universally
By al OF the photographers OF the world,
notably by Arrowsmith and in two official
mans issued in 1850 and in 1857 by order OF
the House Of Commons.
Although the extent OF the purchase was
known to the British Government fully
eight months before the purchase price
was paid, no protest, objection or even
question as to Russias title was raised
either by Canada or Great Britain.
Mr.. Watson, continuing, said that in 1895
gold was discovered in the Yukon. The
easies, approach to that region was over the
masses at the head Of the Lynn Canal Three
wears later Great Britain made her first
formal not iffcat ion that there was question
"a TO the right Of the United States TO the
heads of inlets.
Prior to 1890 there had been correspond
ence between the United States and Great
Britain, at the instigation Of Canada, with
" reference to the actual demarcation Of the
line. but no question as to the accuracy OF
the boundary claimed by the United States
and az universally shown on the maps had
ever previously been raised by Great Britain.
On the contrary, he said that both Great
Britain and Canada had repeatedly ac-
ouiesced in and recognized the United
States line, ..,.
A. B. Ayles worth, X. c., OF Toronto,
one of the Canadian representatives. here
remarked that Canada had no right or
concern in the matter in 1857, as her territory
did not then extend to the Pacific.
Mr.. Watson quoted the report OF Sur
ysyor-G General Dennis Of Canada, made in
= 1874. in which he agreed to the drawing OF the
line across certain rivers which emptied
into the head Of the Lynn Canal and con-
tended that Canada had, therefore. ad-
mittsd and acknowledged the United States
4 claim to the heads Of the inlets.
."-' MFR. Watson laid particular stress upon
Tie Russian ukase Of 1921 granting the
Russian American Company the -exclus-
. We trading monopoly on the northwest
coast. BY virtue OF the fact that the
settlements Of the Indians were at the heads
OF the Lynn Canal and other inlets, which
r were q source OF supplies for the company,
. the coast must have contemplated all
-these inlets.
W. "The ukase was issued. said Mr.. Watson
with dry humor, because about this time
the Americans. contrary to usual custom
were infringing on other peoples domains
ana the ukase was to warn OF these Ameri-
. can rivals who were hunting and trading
there. The foundation Of one great fort
uhe in America meaning Astor'sl was laid
.ljn this trading. which Russia tried to pre-
vent, The ukase established hundred
mile limit for foreigners and reasserted
exclusive rights Of navigation in the Pacific
Ocean and Behring Sea.
During the session Mr.. Watson insisted
On addressing the tribunal as your Honors. "
but he followed this with an apology, ex-
planning that it WAS form that he was
familiar with.
+, Don't you think we deserve that title?'
asked Lord Alverstone. Indeed l do,
rejoined Mr.. Watson. amid the first roar
Of laughter that has broken the solemnity
of the meeting
Before the presentation OF the case for
the United Stale was begun Sir Robert
Finlay sun med up for Canada. His whole
speech took nearly all Of seven days. When
he concluded to-day he received the con-
gratulations OF the tribunal, expressed
through it's president. Lord Alverstone,
and during the luncheon recess Messrs.
Root, Lodge and Turner. the American
Commissioners, also extended their con-
CALCULATIONS.
Sir Robert said that Canada desir ed
above all else access to the sea and control
OF the head OF the Lynn Canal. He con.
tended that the narrow channel OF the
Pearse Inlet should form the southern
boundary, and that Wales, Pearse and other
small islands commanding Port Simpson
should be given to Canada. The genera
trend Of the coast should be taken ga the
boundary only when the mountains re-
treated inland beyond ten marine leagues,
:. He quoted diplomatic reports to show
that british acquiescence in American
I occupation had never been given and
asserted that without such acouiescenc'
occur alton was vaneless.