Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-26
ALASKAN BOUNDARY
DISPUTE REFERRED TO A mixed
TRIBUNAL OF JURISTS.
Contention Put Forward by This Coun-
try Three Years Ago Agreed to by
Canada and England.

the British ambassador, have signed a
treaty providing for the settlement OF the
Alaskan boundary question. Efforts IN
that direction have been put forth for
long time, the pressure coming from botn
sides. the Canadian miners being anxious
to get through the Klondike to the sea
without passing, through American territory
and the Americans insisting upon their
right to the coast line and the control OF
the ports.
The treaty just signed provides for the
reference Of all these boundary questions
to a mixed tribunal of jurists, three on
each side, to determine the Interpretation
to be placed on the treaty Of 1925 between
Great Britain and Russia, which defined
the boundaries between British America
and Russia This proposition is virtually
the same as that brought forward by the
American members Of the joint high COM
mission, which met in Washington three
years ago. but which then was rejected by
the British and Canadian representatives.
1t has taken three years to obtain the con-
sent of the British and Canadian govern
ments to adjust the boundary dispute on
this basis. 1t is understood that the treaty
has been drawn up after thorough CONSUL
tation with the leading members OF the
Senate of both political parties. the admin
istration desiring to do everything possible
in advance to secure Its ratification.
The Proposed Commission.
The commission proposed is unusual In
composition. consisting Of an equal num-
Der of members upon each side, without an
umpire or odd man to cast the deciding
vote No other terms OF arbitration would
have been acceptable to the people of the
northwest. who see in this arrangement
a practical extinction of any chance of a
decision hostile to their plans. On the other
a
American claim our case must be so
strongly presented as to win the support OF
at least one of the Canadian contingent.
The provisional boundary line stipulated
in the modus vivendi begins at the peak
west Of Porcupine creek and runs to the
Klehini river in the direction OF the peak
north of that river. Thence 1t follows the
right bank of the klehini river to Its juno
ton with the Chilkat river. mile and
half. more or less. north Of Klukwan.
The Modus Vivendi.
The modus vivendi provides that persons
proceeding to or from Porcupine creek shall
be freely permitted to follow the trail be-
tween the creek and the junction of the
rivers into and across the territory on the
Canadian side Of the temporary line wher-
ever the trail crosses to that side. and sub
ject to such reasonable regulations for the
protection of the revenue as the Canadian
government may prescribe. 1t is stipulated
that all such persons may carry. with them
over such parts Of the trail between the
points mentioned as may lie on the Cana
dian side OF the temporary line such goods
and articles as they desire without being
required to pay any customs duties on
them From the junction of the rivers the
line continues to the summit of the peak
east of the Chilkat river. On the Dyea
and Skagway trails the submits of the
Chilcoot and White passes mark the line.
Although the personnel of the commission
has not been decided upon by either this
country or, as far as Is known. by Great
Britain. it is reported that Mr.. John w. Fos-
ter will be one of the commissioners for
the United States The commission will
doubtless meet in Washington.
The modus vivendi Is still In operation.
In case the commission shall be unable to,
reach any agreement there will be con-
tinuation of the present status as governed
by the modus vivendt.
An Opportunity to Be Generous.
The signing Of the treaty at this time,
however, Is regarded as probably having
broader International aspect The negot1a-
ton of an arbitration treaty with refer
ence to a question Of great importance to
the American colony Of the British empire.
which still leaves the adjustment Of the
question at issue dependent on generous
yielding on one side or the other, seems to
afford the opportunity for the United States
to be markedly generous to Great Britain
ests, thereby increasing the British SYM
pathy with the Monroe doctrine.
The treaty will be submitted to the
United States Senate very soon and the
effort will be made to ratify 1t before the
expiration Of the present session.