Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-03
ALASKAN COMMISSION
CONTINUED from First Page.)


CONTINUED from First Page)
quired are set forth in the following series
Of questions:
First. What is intended as the point of
commencement of the line Of demarkation
between the two countries?
Second. What Is the Portland channel?
Third. What course should the line take
from the point of commencement to the en-
trance to Portland channel?
Fourth. To what point of the b6th parallel
is the line to be drawn from the head of the
Portland channel and what course should
1t follow between these points?
Fifth In extending the line OF demarka-
ton northward from said point on the
parallel Of the 56th degree Of north latitude
>ss>s was 1t the intention and meaning
Of said convention of 1925 that there should
remain in the exclusive possession of Rus
STA a continuous fringe or strip Of coast on
the mainland, not exceeding ten marine
leagues in width. separating the British
possessions from the bays. ports, 1nlets.
Ravens and waters of the ocean. and ex-
tending from the sadd point on the 56th
degree of latitude north to point where
such line Of demarkatfon should fntersect
the 141st degree Of longitude. west OF the
meridian of Greenwich?
Sixth II the foregoing question should be
answered In the negative. and in the event
Of the summit Of such mountains proving
to be places more than ten marine leagues
from the coast. should the width of the
Msiere which was to belong to Russia to be
measured % from the mainland coast OF
the ocean, strictly SO called, along line
perpendicular thereto. or CO was 1t the In
tention and meaning of said convention
that where the mainland coast Is indented
by deep inlets. forming part of the terri
torfal waters of Russia, the width OF the
Hsiere was to be measured (a) from the line
10 klnA n~ol nf khn til nd
coast. or co. from the line separating the
waters of the ocean from the territorial
waters Of Russia, or (c) from the heads OF
the aforesaid inlets?
Seventh: What. II any exists. are the
mountains referred to as situated parallel
to the coast. which mountains when within
ten marine leagues from the coast, are de-
clared to form the eastern boundary?
American Contention Summarized
In concluding their presentation of the
case in the main the American representa-
tives summarized their contention as fol-
lows:
That 1t was the intention Of the high con-
tracing parties to the convention Of Feb
ruary. 1925. to confirm in full sovereignty
to Russia by that instrument a continuous
strip or lisiere Of territory along the con-
tinental shores OF the northwest coast OF
America. extending from Portland canal to
the 141th meridian of longitude west Of
Greenwich.
That 1t was the intention Of these high con-
tracing parties that the width Of such
hsiere was to be ten marine leagues. meas
ured from the heads Of all CULTS, bays. in
let's and arms Of the sea-that Is, from tide
water-uHiess within that distance from
tide water there was wholly or in part q
continuous range Of mountains lying paral-
lei to the sfnuosities of the coast and ex-
tending from Portland canals to the 141st
meridian. in which latter case the summit
Of such range was to form the boundary.
That the acts Of Great Britain and Rus
sia subsequent to the signature of the
treaty. and the universal Interpretation
given to its delimiting articles by govern
ments, geosraphers. cartographers. his
agree with and confirm the intention and
roaming as above stated.
That the United States purchased the ter
ntory from Russia. relying upon such inter-
probation Of the treaty.
That the purchase was open and notorious
to the world for the period OF one year be-
fore the purchase price stipulated In the
treaty was paid. and that neither during
that period nor within thirty years there
after did Great Britain give notice to the
United States that she claimed any portion
of the territory then coded by Russia.
That tho United States entered into pos
session Of and occupied the lisiere as above
in and treated the same at all times as q
part Of its national domain: and to such
occupation and exercise Of governmental
authority Great Britain entered no pro-
test objection.
That the United States from the time of
the cession from Russia has remained in
continuous and undisturbed possession of
the territory ceded to 1t.
That the beginning OF the southern
boundary between the British and Russian
possessions was Cape Muzon. which was
for time believed to be q southern point
on Prince Of Wales Island.
water now commonly known and described
as Portland canal.
That there Is not at any point within ten
marine leagues OF tidewater between the
head of Portland canal and the 141st degree
of longitude any range OF mountains paral-
lei with the slnuosities OF the coast and
extending from Portland canal to the 141st
degree Of longitude: and that therefore the
width Of the lisiere Is not limited by a
boundary line along the summit of such
range, but solely by the agreed distance Of
ten marine leagues from tdewater.
That the boundary line, determined by
the treaty of 1925, began at Cape Muzon
and ran thence In an easterly direction to
the entrance to Portland canal. between
Wales and Compton Islands: thence north
easterly along the center of Portland canal
to point eQufdistant from PearSe Island
and Ramsden Point: thence northerlv along
the center of Portland canal until the line
touched the mainland at the head oe Port
land canal: thence upon the same course
continued to the fifty-sixth parallel OF north
latitude: thence northwesterly, always ten
marine leagues from tideWater around the
head of Lynn canal; thence westerly. still
following the sinuosities of the coast at a
distance therefrom Of ten marine leagues
until the line intersected the 141st meridian
Of longitude west of Greenwich. and thence
due north along that meridian to the shore
of the Arctic ocean.
Summary Of Conclusions.
The questions at issue are then repca ted
and there follows an outline Of the Ameri-
can contention as to what response should
be made to each OF these by the joint trib-
unal This summary Is in the main a con-
densation of the conclusions reached In tie
body Of the argument. 1t is contendeI that
Cape Muzon Is the point of commenc sment.
and the court Is asked to fix the boundary
line as above indicated. 1t Is also argued
that the tribunal should decide that II was
the intention of the convention Of 1925 that
there should remain In the exclusive pos
session Of Russia continuous strip OF
coast of ten marine leagues in width on the
mainland between the British poss sssions
and the waters of the ocean. the latter to
include bays, ports, etc, extending from
the fifty-sixth degree Of north latitude to
the 141st degree of west longitude. II this