Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-20
UPON HONOR.
And the Canadians Refuse to
Sign Decree
Which Gives United States Her Just
Claims in Alaska.
BY the Way, Uncle Sam Can Stand a
Little Reverse!

London, Oct ia draft of the de-
cision reached by the Alaska boundary
| commissioners, as announced by The
Associated Press, was signed by ma.
jority of the commissioners, this even.
| ing. Messrs. Aylesworth and Jette, the
Canadian commissioners, refused t.
sign.
| The decision grants all the American
contentious with the exception of thu
one relating to the Portland canal. The
signatories were Lord Chief Justice AL
version and Senator Lodge, Senator
Turner and Secretary Root, the Ameri.
can commissioners. They constituted
a majority and ensured fnality.
| Messrs. Aylesworth and Jette carried
their outspoken disapproval OF The de-
| cision to the point of refusing to sign
even that section of the decision giving
the Portland canal to Canada, and they
emphasized their attitude by walking
out of the cabinet room in the foreign
Office before the signatures OF the 9TH
ers had been affixed to The historical
document. which has already been
printed and is ready for the session to
be held, tomorrow.
The only thing remaining to be done
at this session is that the majority of
the tribunal complete and sign the map
which accompanies the decision and
which infinitely determines the course
of the boundary in accordance with the
question No. 5.
An engrossed copy of the decision
also will be signed, Tuesday.
The refusal of Messrs. Aylesworth
and Jette to coincide in Lord Alver-
stones view was only known to a few
persons here. tonight. but at the foreign
Office and in high government circles
it has created a painful impression.
There is no hope expressed that the
Canadian commissioners will reconsider
their attitude and sign the engrossed
copy of the decision, which will stand
as the international record of the tri-
bunars finding.
After brief secret session, this
morning, the Alaskan boundary COM
nlissiorers drove to Buckingham Pal
ace where they We're received by King
| Edward. Ambassador Choate accom-
panied the United States commission
| ers and introduced them to the King,
who had previously been informed of
| the terms of the agreement reached by
| the tribunal.
The Kings reception of the commits
siOners was a very simple affair. His
Majesty congratulated them on conclu-
sion Of their labors, was especially cor
dial to the Canadians and to the Ameri-
cans he said nice things about the Unit
ed States.
Goldsmith's Company entertained
the commissioners at a banquet, to-
night, in the ancient Goldsmiths hall.
The prime warden proposed the healths
| of King Edward and President Roose-
welt and these toasts were followed BIZ
others 10 the members of the commits
sion. Secretary Root and Sir Louis
Jette replied to the prime warden. A
| toast to the agents Of the countries
| represented was responded to by John
| w. Foster, American counsel of the
| Alaskan boundary tribunal. The alb
sence from the gathering of Clifford
Sifton, Canadian minister of the in
terror. was noticeable.
Senator Turner and Mr.. Aylesworth
also spoke. He emphasized the hope
that Canadians would soon be no more
strangers in London than the man
from Shropshire"
Senator Lodge, proposing the health
of the prime warden, spoke feelingly OF
the affection that all the commissioners
entertained for the character of Lore!
Chief Justice Aversion.