The sun., 1903-12-08


posed existence Of continuous ridge or
range Of mountains skirting the coast, as
figured In the charts of the early navigators.
II had at no time been possible FOR either
party in interest to lay down, under the
authority of the treaty, a line 80 obviously
exact according to it's provisions as to COM
mand the assent Of the other. For nearly
three -fourths of a century the absence OF
tangible local interests demanding the exer-
else of positive jurisdiction on either sac
of the border, left the question dormant
In 1878 questions of revenue administra-
ton on the Stikine River led to the estab-
ishment OF provisional demarcatlon,
crossing the channel between two high peaks
on either side about twenty-four miles ABOVE
the river mouth. In 1899 similar question
growing out Of the extraordinary develop
inent OF mining interests in the region about
the head of Lynn Canal brought about a
temporary modus rirendi, by which con-
venient separation was made at the water
shed divid,s Of the White and Chilkoot
passes and to the north of klukwan, on
the Kle hini River. These partial and tenta-
tive adjustments could not, in the very
nature OF things, he satisfactory or lasting
A permanent disposition OF the matter
became imperative.
After unavailing attempts to reach an
understanding through Joint High Com
mission, followed by prolonged negotia-
tions, conducted In an amicable spirit.
a convention between the United States
and Great Britain was signed on Jan. "a,
1908, providing for an examination OF the
subject by mixed tribunal OF six members,
three on side, with a view TO Its final dis
position. Ratfcations were exchanged on
March last whereupon the two Govern
ments appointed their respective members.
Those on behalf OF the United States were
Elihu Root, Secretary OF War. Henry Cabot
Lodge, a Senator OF the United states. ana
George Turner, an ex-senator OF the
United States; while Great Britain named
the Rt Hon. Lord Alverstone,, Lord
Chief Justice of England; Sir Louis Amable
Jett4, X. C. NJ, G., retired Judge of the Su-
preme Court Of Quebec, and A. b. Ayles.
worth, X. c., of Toronto This tribunal met
in London on Sept 8. under the presidency
expeditions and marked bya friendly and
conscientious spirit. The respective cases,
counter cases and arguments presented the
issues clearly and fully. On the goth OF
October ajority OF the tribunal reached
and signed an agreement on all the q'les-
tions submitted by the terms of the con-
vention By this award the right Of the
United States to the control of u continuous
strip or border OF the mainland shore, skirt
ing all the tidewater inlets and sinuoslties
of the coast, is confirmed; the entrance to
Portland Canal concerning which legiti-
mate doubt appeared is defined as passing
by Tongass Inlet and TO the northwestward
of Wales and Pearse islands; a line is drawn
from the head OF Portland Canal to the
fifty-sixth degree Of north latitude and the
interior border line Of the strip is fixed by
lines connecting certain mountain summlts
lying between Portland Canal and Mount
st. Elias. and running along the crest OF
the divide separating the coast slope from
the inland watershed at the only part OF
the frontier where the drainage. ridge ap.
proaches the coast within the distance OF
ten marine leagues stipulated by the treaty
N tho nv n width Df the a rim around the
heads of Lynn Canal and its branches.
While the line 50 traced follows the pro-
visional demarcation OF 1873 at the crossing
of the Stikine River, and that OF 1899 at the
submits Of the White and Chilkoot passes,
it runs much farther inland from the kle-
hini than the temporary line of the later
modus rirendi, and leaves the entire mining
district of the Porcupine River and Glacier
Creek within the jurisdiction of the United
States.
The result is satisfactory in every way.
1t is of great material advantage TO our
moved from the field Of discussion and
possible danger a question liable to be
more acutely accelH uated with each passing
year. Finally, 1t has furnished signal
which two friendly nations can approach,
and determine issues involving national
sovereignty and by their nature incapable
of submission to third power for adjudi-
cation.
The award is self-Iecuting on the vital
points. To make it effective as regards the
other it only remains for the two Govern
ments to appoint, each on it's own behalf.
one or more scientific experts, who shall.
with all con venient speed proceed together
to lay down the boundary line in accordance
with the decision OF the majority OF the
make adequate provision for the appoint
ment, COMPENSATION. and expenses Of the
members to serve on this joint boundary
commission on the part of the United States.
CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA.
1t will be remembered that during the
second session of the last Congress Great
Britain, Germany and Italy formed an
the ports of Venezuela and using such
other means Of pressure as would secure
a settlement of claims due, as they alleged,
20 certain of their subjects. Their employ
ment Of force for the collection of these
claims was terminated by an agreement
diplomatic representatives OF the United
States at Caracas and the Government at
Washin gton. thereby ending a situation
which was bound to cause increasing fric-
ton, and which ieoparded the peace OF
the continent. Under this agreement
Venezuela agreed to set apart certain
percentage Of the customs receipts Of two
Of her ports to be applied to the pa yment OF
whatever obligations might be ascertained
by mixed commissions appointed for. that
purpose to be due from her. not only to
the three Powers already mentioned, whose
proceedings against her had result in a
state of war, but also to the United States,
France, Spain, Belgium. the Netherlands,
Sweden and Norway, and Mexico, who had
not employed force for the collection Of the
claims alleged to be due TO certain of.
their citizens.
A demand was then made by the so-called
blockadng Powers that the sums ascertaine
TO be due 70 their citizens by such mixed
commissions should be accorded payment
in full before anything was paid upon the
claims of any of the so-called peace Powers:
Venezuela, on the other hand, insisted
that all her creditors should be paid upon
basis of exact equality.
CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO THE PERMANENT
COURT OF ARBITRATION AT THE HAGUE
During the efforts to adjust this dispute
il was suggested by the Powers in interest
that il should be referred to me for de-
cision, but | was clearly of the opinion
that far wiser course would be to submit
the question to the Permanent Court of
Arbitration at The Hague. 1t seemed to
me to offer an admirable opportunity to
advance the practice of the peaceful settle
ment of disputes between nations and
to secure for the Hague tribunal memoir
able increase of its practical importance.
The nations interested in the contrOversy