The San Francisco call., 1903-12-08
Aiaskd Boundary
Fnaicably Defined
Result of Deliberations of
the Tribunal in London of
Tremendous Advantage to
People of the Northeast

This tribunal met in London on September g.
under the presidency Of Lord Alverstone Tne
proceedings were expeditions, and marked by a
friendly and conscientious spirit Tne respect
i've cases, counter cases and arguments present.
ed the issues clearly and fully. on the 2oth OF
October a majority of the tribunal reacned anu
signed agreement on all the questions SUD
mitted by the terms of the convention BY this
award the right of the United States to the con-
troll OF continuous strip or border Of the main
land shore, skirting all the tied water inlets
and sinuoslties Of the coast, is connrmedi the
entrance TO Portland canal concerning which
legitimate doubt appeared) is defined as pass
ing by Tongass Inlet and TO the northwestward
of Wales and Pearse islandss line is drawn
from the head of Portland canal to the nifty
sixth degree of north latitude; and the interior
Meeting certain mountain SUBMITS lying be-
tween Portland canal and Mount st. Elias, and
running along the crest Of the divide separating
the coast slope from the inland watershed al
the only part of the frontier where the drain
age ridge approaches the coast within the dis
tance OF ten marine leagues stipulated by. the
treaty as the extreme width of the strip around
the heads of Lynn canal and it's branches.
While the line SO traced follows the provision
al demarcation of 1878 at the crossing of the
Stikne River, and that of 1899 at the SUBMITS
of the White and Chilkoot passes. ii runs much
porary line of the later modus vivendi, and
leaves the entire mining district of the Poreu-
pine River and Glacier Creek within the juris-
diction of the United States.
The result is satisfactory in every way. 1t is
OF great material advantage to our people In
the Far Northwest. 1t has removed from the
field of discussion and possible danger ques-
tion liable to become more aeutely accentuated
with each passing year. Finally. 1t has fur,
will with which two friendly nations can APP
proach and determine issues involving national
sovereignty and by their nature incapable of
submission to third power for adjudication.
The award is self-executing ON the vital
points TO make II effective as regards the
others 1t only remains for the two governments
to appoint each on it's own behalf. one or more
scientific experts. who shall. with all conven-
lent speed, proceed together to lay down the
boundary line in accordance with the decision
of the majority of the tribunal. recommend
that the Congress make adequate provision for
the appointment, compensation and expenses of
the members to serve on this Joint boundary
commission on the part OF the United States.
1t will be remembered that during the second
session of the last Congress Great Britain, Ger
many and Italy formed alliance for the pur-
using such other means Of pressure as would Sc
cure a settlement of claims due. as they alleged,
to certain of their subjects. Their employment
of force for the collection of these claims was
terminated by an agreement brought about
through the offices of the diplomatic represent
atives of the United States at Caracas and the
Government al Washington thereby ending a
situation which bound to increasing
friction. and which jeoparded the peace OF the
agreed TO set apart certain percentage of the
customs receipts Of two Of her ports to be ap-
piled to the payment of whatever obligations
might be ascertained by mixed commissions ap-
pointed for that purpose to be due from her.
not only to the three powers already mentioned,
whose proceedings against her had resulted in
state OF war. but also to the United States,
rance, spain. belgium. the Netherlands,
Sweden and Norway. and Mexico, who had not
employed force for the collection of the claims
alleged to be due to certain Of its citizens.
demand was then made by the so-called
bockading powers that the sums ascertained to
be due to their citizens by such mixed COM
missions should be accorded payment in full be-
fore anything was paid upon the claims of any
of the so-called peace powers. Venezuela.
the other hand. insisted that all her creditors
should be paid upon basis OF exact equality.
During the efforts to adjust this dispute 1t
was suggested by the powers in interest that
II should be referred to me for decision, but l
was clearly of the opinion that a far wiser
course would be to submit the question to the
Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague
1t seemed to me to offer an admirable oppor-
tunity to advance the practice of the peaceful
settlement of disputes between nations and to
secure for The Hague tribunal a memorable in
crease of its practical Importance. The ma
tions interested In the controversy were so nu-
merous and In many Instances so powerful as
to make 1t evident that benehcent results
would follow from their appearance at the
same time before the bar of that august tri-
bunal OF peace