Evening star., 1925-06-04
CANADA DISTURBED
FOR LAND IN ARCTIC
Takes Initial Step to Protect
Claim to Unknown Territory
Against U. S. Explorers.

Canada has sent word to the United
States Government that the MacMil-
lan-Byrd expedition to the Arctic
should request permission TO cross
Ellsmere Land, as the latter Is claimed
to be Canadian territory.
The Navy Department transmitted
the communication to the Department
of State before acting upon IT, the
point being that If the United states
asks permission this will amount to
recognition Of Canada's claim to own
4rsbtp of Ellsmere Land.
w. w. Cory, deputy minister of the
interior, made a special trip to Wash
inSton to discuss the matter with the
American Government, and this now
Has been followed up by formal note
from the Canadian minister or the IN
terror, Charles Stewart, who expresses
the hope that II is not the intention OF
the proposed expedition to lay claim to
territory within Canada's jurisdiction.
Claims to polar land are vague af-
fairs anyhow, but the Canadian gov
ernment has drawn line on the map
from western Canada to the eastern
part of Greenland and claims every
thing north of the line to the pole it
self, including Eilsmere Land, as Well
as Crocker Land, which Peary report
ed seeing on his journey TO the Pole.
Based on Russian Treaty.
The Canadian government bases its
claim largely on it's treaty with Russia,
but so far as has been ascertained
thus far there is nothing on record be-
tween the United States Government
and Canada which concurs in the
Canadian claim.
AS a general rule claims for unex-
plored territory have in past history
been superseded by actual discoveries
and new explorations, and the Ameri-
can authorities incline to the view that
II the Macmillan expedition finds new
land after a hazardous trip the United
States should be entitled to claim it.
The American Government is will.
ing, however, to discuss the matter
fully before arriving at a conclusion.
So far as permission to cross Canadian
territory Is concerned, ii is not con-
sidered probable that the Ottawa
government will require definition
of the American Governments posi-
ton before allowing the explorers
to cross Canadian territory. 1t is not
customary to ask permission from
foreign country for permission to sail
to a foreign port. though there have
been understandings made with ref.
erence to the use Of planes by gov
ernments. In this case, the territory
is uninhabited and the sending of
planes across the region would not
imperil any life.
Discussion Is Friendly.
The whole discussion is being ham
died in the friendliest fashion. and If a
dispute did arise at some subsequent
date with respect to the ownership of
any newly discovered land, the Amer
lean Government probably would be
willing to submit il to competent in
ternationaI tribunal before which all
the facts and precedents could be mar
shaled. The Canadian government
has appointed commission to invesu-
gate the matter, and 1t Is not unlikely
that meanwhile the American Govern
ment will do likewise or turn 1t over
ultimately to the joint high commits
sion which handles all matters affect
ing the boundaries between the United
States and Canada.
Recently the United States Govern
ment found 1t necessary to ask per
mission from the government of Den
mark to establish a base at Etah.