The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1903-12-12
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ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
Decision of the Comm lsslon Removes
Question Which Caused A.n-r


FOR several gears past the rand de-
velopment OF Alaska and the establisn.
ment or growing American interests in
regions therefore unsuryeyed and INNER
,-stiy known brought into prominence the
/ urgent necessity Of a practical demarca-
sion OF tne boundaries between the juris-
uictions or the United States and Great
brltasn, Although the treaty of 1928 no
tween Great Britain and Russia, the pro-
| Visions or which were copied In the trea Nv
or 1851 whereby Russia convened AlasLa
TO the United States. was positive as To
me control, first by Russia and later bv
the United States, OF a strip or territor,,
along the continental mainland from 1hs
western shore of Portland Canal 10
mount st. Elias. following and surround
ins the indentations OF the coast and In.
Guiding the islands to the westward tts
description or the landward margin Of tho
strip was Indefinite, resting ON the sun
posed existence OF continuous ridge ov
range or mountains skirting the coast
as Inquired In the charts of the early navi,
gators 1t had at no time been posath,a
TOR either party In interest to Law down
under the authority of the treaty, a line
so obviously exact according to Its pro-
Visions as to command inc assent OF the
other. For nearly three-fourths of n CEN
fury the absence of tangible local inter.
ests demanding the exercise of posItjve
JURISDICTION on either side of thu hordar
ieft sae question dormant in 1873 o,,es-
tons OF revenue administration on Tho
Stikine River led to the establishment of
a provisional dernarcation crossInv az
channel between two high peaks on e,,has
side, about "a miles above the river
mouth. In 1899 similar questions growing
out of the extraordinary development ~
mining interests In the region about the
mead OF Lynn Canal brought about a tenn
peraIs modus vivendt By which con-
YEMEN. separation was made at the
watershed divides OF the White and Chill
@oqt passes and to the north of Lux
wan, ON the klehini River. These partial
ana tentative adjustments could NOT In
the very nature OF things. be satisfactory
or lasting. permanent disposition OF
,he matter became imperative.
Work of the Commission.
After aHevailing attempts to reach an
understanding through Joint High Com
fsssssIos. followed by prolonged negotIa-
IONS conducted iN an amicabie spirit
convention between the United States and
Great Britain was signed January "A lena
providing for an examination OF the suh.
lect by mixed tribunal of six members
three on side, with q view to its Anal
disposition. Qualifications were EXCHANGED
On March last, whereupon the two GOV
ernments appointed their respective mem |
oers. This tribunal INST In london |
.
Lord Aiverstone. The proceedings were
expeditions, and marked by a friendly |
ard conscientious spirit. The respective
cases, counter cases, and arguments pre-
sented the issues clearly and fully. Or
the 2oth OF October majority OF the
tribunal reached and signed an aarreement
On all the questions submitted nv ths
terms OF the convention.
" niie the ine 40 traced follows the pro-
'isional demarcation OF 1873 at the cross
ng OF tho Stiklne River, and that OF isee
u the summits OF the White and Ghilcoot
aassos, Il runs much farther INLAND from
he klehiRi than the temporary line OF the
alter modus vivendi and leaves the entire
mining district OF the Porcupine River
Ind Glacier Creek within the jurlsdIetion
" the United states
a 4e award is self-executing on the vita,
Joints. To make II effective as regards
ne others. II only remains ,or the two
governments to appoint, each on Its own
'enait, one or more scientific experts
Who shall, with all convenient speed nro,
eed together TO lay down the boundary
Inc IN accordance with the decision OF The {
majority OF the tribunal I recommend '
nat the Congress make adequate nro-
islon for the appointment. Compensation
nd expenses Of the members to serve on {
his joint boundary commission on tha |
art or tina United States