The sun., 1903-11-05
ALASKA AWARD NOT COMPLETE
PART or THE TERRITORl STILL
~ DISPUTE.
II Is $50 Miles Long and Of CHcertain
width. ami Constitutes Nearl, a Quar-.
ter or the Boundary Line Between

| WASHINGTON, Nov. Am important
fact in connection with the recent delibera-
| tons of the Alaskan Boundary Tribunal
appeared to-day when ii became known
that stretch cfterritory lao miles in length
| and OF uncertain width is still in dispute
and is likely to remain for some time,
Significance of this was not appreciated
| by the President or the State Depart merit
until within the last two or three da -,
| owing TO an error in the transmission Of
the summary of the tribunals award "a
cabled from London.
A close reading of this summary made
it appear that the members Of the tribunal
were unable 10 determine, or account Of
lack of data, the eXact course the boundary
should take along the short distance be-
tween Katc's Needle and Devils Thumb,
mountain peaks belonging TO the main range
between British Columbia and Alaska.
Even this fact did not attract general at
tention. 1t now appears that the territory
still unawarded stretches north and south
over the i40 miles between kate's Needle
and Devils Thumb.
AS il happens, the terri ory in question is
region of the widest character, abso-
lutely destitute of valuable resources. so
ldi hllONli, anu tONt!tu DS IeTpttual
ice and Snow. Neither this Government
nor Canada cares much about this strip,
but there is a remote possibility that future
developments will make il cause for re-
gret that the question of sovereignty over
the whole region wGs not settled The
part OF the line in Guest ion constitutes
nearly a quarter of The whole boundary
line between Alaska and the Britt ish possess
II1,, 4.
tain peak abont sevent y-fve miles south
east OF SkaSway. Rates Needle is u peak
l4O miles due sout h of DEVILS Thumb
The members of the tribunal were unable
to determine precisely what course the line
should take between these monster peaks,
for the charts showing the international
provisional survey of 1895 failed to give anv
data as to the summit of the range at inter-
mediate points. At othAr points the sur
vey map showed thai the work had been
carefully done The provisional survey
was badly hotched job, because the part
Of the work affecting tho region now in
question was left 10 Canadian members of
the survey party.
The portion of the international boundary
left unsettled cannot be fixed without
further negotiations between the United
Staten bIedl DIltdill, lOohllB 'c tDt
framing of new treaty for this particular
purpose and therefore requiring ratifics-
ton by the United States Senate. IL is
believed that at least one member of
the British side of the tribunal would
haze been willing to settle the l4O-mile
strip by drawing a straight line between
Kates Needle and Devils Thumb, but the
American commissioners were unwilling to
do SO in the absence of reliable data for fear
of giving away territory which ought to
be retained for the United States.
Former Senator George Turner OF Wash
arrived in Washington to-day and went
to the White House 10 pay his respects
TO the Pres ltlent In regard TO the London
award Senator Turner said,
"It was Just and an honorable verdict
one that accorded with the rights of both
countries. As to the Portland Canal-that
is matter commented on n great deal,
and not vet understood | prefe" not 70
talk mach upon the subject, because of
nv position as member of the tribunal.
However. you may quote mo thus far:
The result attained on the Portland Canal
particularly that portion which divides
the four islands between the two countries,
has been treated by the Canadian press
as if it were compromise. That view
is not correct. The result was attained by
strictly judicial processes When better
understood it will be scan to be we'll founded