The San Francisco call., 1903-09-04

was to be ten marine leagues measured
! from the heads of all CULTS and other
arms of the sea- unless there was within
that distance a range of mountains. Ihe
contention is further made that there is
no such mountain range. 1t also Is urged
that the United States has occupied this
strip of territory ever since its acquisi-
ton from Russia, and that Russia had
controlled it since the treaty of 1928 until
ceded to the United States in 1867.
In its counter-statement the American
commission makes rejoinder to points
covered in the presentation of the British
side of the case, which it appears con-
tains twenty or more documents which
heretofore have not been given to the
public.
The additional evidence referred to
bears upon the negotiations which took
place between Great Britain and Russia
during the years from 1923 to 1925 and it
is contended that this new evidence in no
way alters any material contention made
in the original allegation. but that on the
contrary sit confirms and strengthens the
position of the United States"
These documents consist largely Of
statements made and letters written by
Mr.. Pelly who was at that time Deputy
Governor of the Hudson Bay Company, and
1t is contended that his letters fully sus-
tain the assertion that in fixing a line of
demarcation the British Government act
ed solely in the interests Of that COM
pany.
The Commissioners discuss at some
length the claim made by their oppo-
nents that many protests have been filed
by British officials against the American
claims in reference to the boundary line.
They admit that from time to time there
have been informal representations, but
these they assert were in the main with
out sufficient data to justify serious con-
sideration. Indeed, they say, that never
until after the Klondike gold discoveries
were made in 1896 did the British Govern
/ ment take up the question seriously.
They admit that in 1898 attention was
called to) the claim of the British Govern
| ment tIat the ten-league strip extended
only frt I'm the main waters Of the ocean,
/ but they say that this contention was not
made absolutely clear until the British
| case was delivered to the present tribunal
on May last.
In support Of the American contention
that the strip should measure from tide
water and from the heads Of bays and in
( lets a number of dispositions are pro
| duced in connection with the counter
case going to show the occupation of this
/ strip by settlers from the United States
since 1880. Especial effort is directed
/ toward showing the control of the country
about the head of Lynn canal, including
the sites of the towns of Dyea, Skagway,
| White Pass and Lake Bennett
II also is stated that numerous docu-
ments have. been preserved which had
! been given to Indian chiefs and others
| by ofhcials of the United States showing
the presence in the Lynn canal inlets of
naval and other authorities Of the United
States annually for twenty years after
| the United States acquired the territory
1t is contended that this occupation and
control were known to the Canadian Gov
ernment and its people.
Discussing the boundaries proposed by
Great Britain, the claim makes refer
ences to the instability of the Canadian
contention on this point and concludes
/ that the United States has from the time
/ OF the cession of Alaska to the present
| day maintained but one Interpretation Of
the treaty Of 1926. It's position has been
open and known TO the world. IT is the
same which was presented to the tribunal
in its case and which it now reiterates
| in this counter case
The argument in the case is a careful
study Of maps, treaties and other docu-
ments bearing upon the boundary con-
! tention, and ii is intended TO drive home
/ the facts presented in the statements to
! which reference has been made Con-
/ siderable space is devoted to the part
played by the Klondke gold discoveries
| in arousing Great Britains interest in