New-York tribune., 1903-01-25
SETTLING ALASKAN DISPUTE.
LAST SERIOUS DIFFERENCE WITH GREAT BRITAIN
Adjusted
Secretary Hay and ambassador Herbert Sign Treaty Referring h
Boundary Question a Mired Commission Sr Juyiss.

the new treaty would probably place the matter
| in the category OF matters susceptible of arbi-
| tration, but not the slightest idea exists here
that any such outcome result from the work
Of the commission. On the other hand the
strongest expectation Of complete Justification
Of the American title was expressed by those
highest in official circles to-day.
ORIGIN OF THE DISPUTE
The dispute over the Alaskan boundary arises
from the claim of the Canadians voiced by the
British members Of the Joint High Commission
referred to above, that the outer rim Of the
islands skirtlrg the shore form the true sea-
coast. not the edge OF the mainland. and that the
30-mile strip ceded by Russia to the United
States should be measured by the outer rim and
not from the actual edge of the mainland.
This would give Canada several seaports. In
Guiding Dyea and Skagway, the Lynn Canal.
Negotiations carried between the United
States and Great Britain, which resulted in a
proposition made by the Secretary of State and
favorably received by Lord Salisbury, were re-
jected by the Canadian Government AS re-
suit Of this action the British Government not
merely withdrew It's approval, but refused to
proceed with the revision of the Clayton Bull
Treaty until the Canadian claims in Alaska
were settled. Before the Joint High Commits
sion finally adjourned. after its futile negotia-
tlOnS IloQuS VfVendl was signed on october
20, 1899. This arranged with the express
understanding that the claims of both nations
should not be affected by the agreement which
was entirely of a temporary character. The ar
rangement, however. does not give the Cana
dians free port access to the Lynn Canal
on their territory.
ONLY MINOR QUESTIONS REMAIN
The signing of the new treaty to-day is
garded all sides as removing the sole serious
difference existing between the United States
and Great Britain. OF the twelve points which
under the consideration of the Joint High
Commission, this of the Alaskan boundary was
at once the greatest and the only question of
real Importance The other questions were of
much less moment. They were the rights of
American fishermen in Canadian waters the de-
Elimination of the Minnesota boundary at GER
tain points, the disputed fishing grounds in the
Great Lakes, and the transportation of bonded
goods through certain Eastern seaports. These
are examples of the character of the other mat
ters remaining to be settled Now that a way
has been found for adjusting the great diff
ference, the conviction is expressed by the State
Department that with the settlement of the
Alaskan dispute all other matters will be dis
posed of in short order thus removing every
possible source Of irritation between the two
great and friendly nations.
1t is understood that the treaty has been
drawn up after thorough consultation with the
leading members of the Senate of both political
parties, the administration desiring to do every
thing possible in advance to secure ratification
The treaty will be submitted to the Senate soon,
and an effort will be made to secure ratification
before the end of the present session.