Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1903 — MAP SHOWING ALASKAN BOUNDARY LINE AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MAP SHOWING ALASKAN BOUNDARY LINE AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSION

The published forecast of the result of the Alaskan boundary arbitration substantially confirms the American view as to the meaning of the original treaty provisions whereby Russia and Great Britain fixed this boundary In 1825. Those provisions are so clear that notwithstanding the chance that the British and Canadian arbiters would defer to the pressure of Canadian sentiment a verdict in favor of the United States was expected. The award is thus a surprise only as an instance in which the sentiment or prejudice of patriotism lias yielded (o the superior claims of exact justice. Because of the attitude of the British' member of the board of arbitration, Lord Chief Justice Alverstone, the highest judicial authority in England, the award has been made to afford a noteworthy and impressive instance of the possibilities of peaceable and fair Inquiry. The map shows the boundary between Canada and Alaska, as decided by the treaty commissioners. America claimed rights over the Portland Canal, but this contention, it appears, the commission has set aside and puts that channel entirely under British control. The Canadian claim interpreted the treaty as meaning the line from headland to headland of the coast, thus Including in Canadian territory not only Dyea and Sknguay, but almost the entire length of Lynn Canal; also Glacier Bay, in which the famous Muir glacier is situated, and other important points along the coast Under the finding all this territory will remain under control of the United States. The United States boundary, as defined by the deeisiori of the commission, now ascends slightly west of Portland channel, and the claim of the Canadians, that their boundary should start up the northern arm of the Behm Canal, is declared to be untenable. As an example of the advantages of arbitration when wisely and temperately nndertaken the award will have a highly beneficial effect. To a certain extent it may have-also the effect of stimulating friendly feeling between the British and American governments, thougVtlie Canadians can hardly be expected to take this view of the matter. The fact which will impress them is that they have been shut out from the sea by a decision which intrenches toe United States more firmly than ever in its position as the dominant power of the Pacific. Any resentment they may feel must be shortlived, iince their case was weak and they knew it, notwithstanding their labored efforts to make it look presentable.