Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Sherman.
Washington, February 4, 1898.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am in receipt of a telegram from the Marquis of Salisbury instructing me to ascertain on what grounds application has been made by the United States Government to that of the Dominion of Canada to permit the passage of an armed United States force in charge of relief supplies through Canadian territory to Circle City, Alaska.
The request, I am informed, is contrary to the unofficial understanding which was arrived at recently between the United States Secretary for War and the Canadian minister of the interior, which provides that the Dominion government should furnish escort for the expedition after reaching the summit of the pass, beyond which point no United States armed force should proceed.
The guard agreed upon to escort the expedition through Canadian territory has been already provided by the Dominion government.
In bringing the above to your notice, I have the honor to request you to be good enough to furnish me with the information, as specified above, which is desired by Her Majesty’s Government.
I have the honor to be, etc.,