The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-10-24

LONDON OCT. 19.-Ihe Alaskan
boundary commission has verbally
agreed 20 grant all the American con-
tentions except that Of the Portland
canal. which goes to Canada.
United States Victory.
Washington. Oct. 1.-the conten-
lion OF the United States regarding
the Portland canal was the weakest
part Of the American case aud the
strongest point in the Canadian con-
tention. Il Is but a minor detail Of the
controversy. The Canadians contend
that the Portland canal ran to the
north OF two small islands; the Amer
lean contention was that the channel
ran alongside OF these islands. ON
this point there vas ground for ar6u-
ment. Pearse island and the other
small islands are both OF small or liz.
tie Importance and their acquisition
gives no particular advantage. The
boundary commission decision rem
dered along the lines indicated by the
Associated Press will be a complete
victory for the United States. The
state department Is naturally profound.
ly grauhed that an agreement has
been reached. AS was pointed out to-
night by high Official the decision Is
a complete Justification OF our claims.
and evidence of the skill with which
the American case has been presented
and tribute to the fairness and broad.
mindedness Of the British members Of
the commission"
The effect OF the decision. Il Is stat
ed here. is to leave the Alaskan bound.
airy where II Is now. The main point
oG the contention involved the outlet
from the Klondike gold fields at the
head Of Lynn cana. including the ports
OF Skagway and Dyea, through which
he klondike business Is transacted.
These ports remain American terri
tory.
The decision Is taken to concede the
American claim to a strip Of territory
waters and extending from the head OF
Portland canal TO the i4lst meridian
OF west longitude. The Americans
laid especial stress upon their conten-
tlon that this strip should be measured
from the heads Of the estuaries or
bays. while the Canadians argued that
the measurements should be from the
main water Of the ocean. The control
OF the sites OF Skagway and Dyea are
in the territory involved.
Ottawa. Ont. Oct. I9.-Ths Cana.
dian government has not yet received
official notice OF the reported decision
in favor Of America In the Alaskan
reported. namely, that only Portland
canal OF the disputed territory Is to
remain in Canadian territory. there Is
feeling in official circles that the
dominion has net much to be thankful
for. Canada. In holding the Portland
canal, retains Wales and Pearss Isl
ands. which overlook Port Simpson.
the proposed terminus OF the Grand
Trunk Pacific. II would be inconyen-
lent to have lost these islands. but as
they were clearly marked on Vaucon-
ver's map as being in Canada. Il Is diff
dcult to see how this could have been
done. AS the government has no OF.
fetal information. none of the minis
ters will speak on the subject for pub
LEGATION. North OF Port Simpson. Can
ada will have no harbor and no out.
ct on the Pacific coast from the Yu.
ton gold fields.
In the house Of commons Mr.. Cur.
ley. member for Colchester. Nova
Scotia, whose speeches in the house
have gained for him much notoriety.
took occasion to refer to the decision
IN the Alaskan case. He said:
III the news Is correct we hear in
the corridors, and hope 1t ia not, all
that the United States has got to do
Is to make for Canada. and they will
get II by boastfulness and dishonest
effort. n II Is true, we might "a well
throw away our national aspirations.
The last two generations Of English.
men were degenerates and towards.
They have had no leader since Pitt
HE'D. Thank God. Chamberlain II gal.
them and putting new blood
in them"
Mr.. Ross Victoria, Cape Breton)
protested against speaking about Eng.
lishmen In this way. and MFR. Gurley
retorted that they went around with
blinds on, unfit to drive sheep across
the country.
Canadians Do Mot aton