The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-08


4 Great Britain and Russia the provisions
of which were copied IN the treaty OF
1867. whereby Russia conveyed Alaska
to the limited States, was positive as to
the control. first by Russia and later by
the United States, OF strlp Vi 'errl-
tory along the continental mainland from
the western shore of Portland CaEal to
Mount St. Elias, following and surround
ing the indentations of the coast ana IN
Guiding the islands to the westward us
description of the andward margin OF
the strip was indefinite, resting ON the
supposed existence of a continuous rloge
or range of mountains skirting the coast,
as figured in the charts of the early navl-
gators. 1t had at no time been posi-
bic Tor either party in interest to lay
down, under the authority of the treaty
a line so obviously exact according to It's
provisions as to command the assent of
the other. For nearly three-fourtns
q century the absence of tangible
interests demanding the exercise of posi-
tive jurisdiction on either side of the
border left the ques.on dormant In
1878 questions of revenue administration
on the Stikne River led to the establish.
ment of a provisional demarcaton cross
ing the channel between two high peaks
on either side about twenty-four miles
above the river mouth. In 1899 SINH
lar questions growing out of the extra
ordinary development of mining interests
in the region about the head of Lynn
Canal brought about temporary modus
vivendi, by which convenient separation
was made at the watershed divides of the
White and Chilkoot passes and to the
north of Klukwan, on the Klehimi River
| These partial and tentative adjustments
could not, IN the very nature of things,
be satisfactory or lasting. A permanent
| disposition of the matter became impera-
| tive.
After unavailing attempts to reach an
understanding through Joint High Com
mission, followed by prolonged negotia
| tions, conducted in an amicabie spirit,
convention between the United States and
| Great Britain was signed, January "a,
| 1903, providing for an examination of the
subject by mixed tribunal OF six mem
bers, three on side, with view TO It's
final disposition. Ratifcations were ex
changed On March last, whereupon the
two governments appointed their respec-
tive members Those on behalf of the
United States were Elihu Root, Secretary
of War, Henry Cabot Lodge, a Senator
VI the OnltGu pldleS, anu ISOlSC 1ulASlt
an ex-senator of the United States, while
Great Britain named the Right Honor
able Lord Alverstone, Lord Chief Justic
Of England, Sir Louis Amable Jette, K.
c.. NJ. G., retired judge of the Supreme
Court of Quebec, and A. B. Aylesworth,
K. c.. of Toronto. This Tribunal met in
London on September 8, under the presi
dency of Lord Alverstone. The proceed
iDgs were expeditions, and marked by a
friendly and Conscientious spirit. The
respective cases, counter cases, and argu-
ments presented the issues clearly and
fully. On the goth of October major
ity of the Tribunal reached and signed
an agreement on all the questions sub
mitted by the terms of the convention. By
this award the right of the United States
to the control of a continuous strip or
border of the mainland shore skirting
all the tide-water inlets and sinuosit!es
of the coast, is confirmed; the entrance
to Portland Canal concerning which
legitimate doubt appeared) is defined as
passing by Tongass Inlet and to the north
westward 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 GER
tain mountain SUBMITS lying between
Portland Canal and Mount st. Elias, and
running along the crest of the divide sep
arating the coast slope from the inland
watershed at the only part of the front
Ter where the drainage ridge approaches
the coast within the distance of ten ma
rine leagues stipulated by the treaty az
the extreme width of the strip around
the heads of Lynn Canal and it's branches.
While the line so traced follows the pro-
visional demarcation of 1878 at the cross
ing of the Stikine River, and that of 1898
at the SUBMITS OF the White and Chill
koct passes, it runs much farther inland
from the Klehini than the temporary line
of the later modus vivend, and leaves
the entire mining district of the Porcu
pine River and Glacier Creek within tho
jurisdiction of the United States.
The result is satisfactory in every way.
1t is of great material advantage to our
people in the Far Northwest. 1t has
removed from the field of discussion AMI
possible danger a,question Liable to become
more acutely accumulated with each pass
ing year, Finally. it has furnished a sig
nal proof of the fairness and good will
with which two friendly nations can APP
proach and determine issues involving ma
|
incapable OF submission to third pow
er Cor adjudication.
The award is self-executing ON the vital
points. To make it effective as regards
the others it only remains for the two
governments to appoint, each on its own
behalf one or more scientific experts,
who shall, with all convenient speed
proceed together to lay down the boun-
dairy line in accordance with the decis-
ion of the majority of the Tribunal.
recommend that the Congress make ade-
quate provision for the appointment
compensation, and expenses of the mem
bers to serve on this joint boundary com
mission on the part of the United States
:, CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA.
1t will be remembered that during IN
second session of the last Congress Grca
Britain, Germany, and Italy FORMED
alliance for the purpose OF olocKadli
the ports of Venezuela and using sue
other means of pressure as would secure
settlement of claims due, as they al
legged. 10 certain of their subjects. Their
employment of force for the collection OF