Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1903-10-30

tention was that there are no noun
tains parallel with the coast, within
the meaning Of the treaty, and that
the boundary must therefore be fixed
under the provisions of the original
treaty relating to ten leagues SO
be run a distance of 80 miles from the
snorc, including in the term shore
the heads Of all inlcts, bays, etc. The
tribunal finds that the Canadian con-
tention Is correct as to the existence of
the mountains within the terms of the
treaty; but the fruits of victory have
been taken from Canada by fixing as a
mountain line a row OF mountains 50
far from the coast as to give the Unit
ed States substantially nearly all the
territory in dispute"
around the head Of the Lynn canal
the line follows the watershed, some
what in accordance with the present
provisional boundary.
1--WE are of the opinion that the
mountain line traced by King, the
Dominion astronomer, along the coast,
should have been adopted at least 50
far as the shores of Lynn canal. If
effect were given to the contention
that Great Britain had by acqliesence
to adverse occupation deprived herself
of her right to claim the head of the
Lynn canal, we would have regarded
such conclusion as perhaps an open
and reasonable justification. No such
opinion, however, can be taken re-
carding inlets lower down he coast.
Kings line, runn,ng along he coas
to the Lynn canal, and the line thence
around he head to the Lynn canal,
following the watershed, would have
given Canada the heads of the lower
inlcts, with at least one fine harbor,
from which easy access to the interior
of the Atlin and Yukon country could
have been had. 1t would not, so far 10
we have been made aware, have taken
any territory ever actually occupied ~
United States citizens, it would have
given the United States the whole Of
the Lynn canal, including Skagway,
Dyea and Pyramid %harbors, and it
would have been, we think, reasonably
satisfactory to Canada. Instead Of TAX
ing the coast line Of mountains, a line
of mountains has been chosen far back
from the coast, clearing completely all
the bays, inlets, etc. The mountain
line adopted as tho boundary lies 50
far from the oas as to give the
United States substantially all the ter
ritory in dispute. The line completely
clears all the bays and inlets and
means Of access TO the sea, giving the
United Sirtes a complete land barrier
between Canada and the sea, from the
Portland channel tn Mount st. Elias.
I'VE have not been able 20 derive
any understanding from our colleagues
IN the commission as to the principle
en- which they have selected their line
of mountains, AMI our observations Of
the discussions which resulted in the
settlement of this line have led us 20
the conclusion that instead Of resting
on any ineligible principle, the choice
of this line has been a compromise
between opposing and entirely ire
conciliable views of the true meaning
of the original treaty. The result of
this compromise has, we think, been
n distinct sacrifice of the interests Of
Canada. When it vas shows that there
were mountains parallel with The coast
within the meaning of the treaty, the
only logical course, in our Judgment,
was to adopt as Il boundary the noun
tains in the immediate vicinity of the
coast.
notwithstanding the general quos-
ton Of inlcts, the tribunal finds against
the contention Of Canada. We are
both strongly of the opinion that this
conclusion is wrorl, and we rave put
upon record at length the reasons for
our view il this respect.
FINALLY, if the six members Of the
tribunal had each given an individual,
judicial decision on each of thc ques-
tions submitted, we would have con-
cciycd it to be our duty, under the
treaty OF 1902, however much we might
have differed with our colleagues, Ia
have joined in signing the document
which constituted the official record Ol
answers.
1--WE 10 not consider the finding of
the tribunal as to the islands at the
entrance Of Portland channel or as 70
the mountain line a judicial enc. We
nave therefore declined to be parties
to the award.
"Our position during the conferences
of the tribunal has beer an unfortunate
one. We have been in entire accord
between ourselves, and have reveral!y
and jointly urged our views as strongly
az we were able; but we nave beer
compelled to witLess the sacrifice 81
the interests of Carada. We were pow
erless to prevent It, though satisfied
that the course which the majority wa;
determined to pursue In respect to tn
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