Mr. Tower to Mr.
Hay.
British
Embassy,
Washington, April 29,
1899.
Sir: As Sir Julian Pauncefote had the honor to
inform you on the 22d ultimo, a copy of your note No. 1381, of the 20th
of that month, was communicated to Her Majesty’s Government and to the
Governor-General of Canada.
That note contained a proposal for establishing a provisional line
between Canada and the Territory of Alaska in the region about the head
of Lynn Canal, without prejudice to the claims of either party in the
permanent adjustment of the frontier.
By direction of the Marquis of Salisbury, I have the honor to transmit to
you herewith copy of an approved minute of the Canadian privy council,
dated the 30th ultimo, which Sir Julian Pauncefote received from the
Governor-General of Canada, containing the expression of the views of
the Dominion Government upon the proposals put forward by you.
I have, etc.,
[Page 323]
[Inclosure—Extract from a report of the
committee of the honorable the privy council, approved by his
excellency on the 30th March, 1899.]
The committee of the privy council have had under consideration a
dispatch from Mr. Hay, United States Secretary of State, dated 20th
March, 1899, to Her Majesty’s ambassador to the United States,
suggesting the establishment of a provisional boundary line between
the territorial possessions of the United States and Canada in the
vicinity of Lynn Canal, together with the letter dated 21st March,
1899, from Her Majesty’s ambassador to the Marquis of Salisbury
inclosed, and the cable dispatch of 27th March, 1899, from the
secretary of state for the colonies asking for the views of Your
Excellency’s advisers upon said subject.
The minister of the interior, to whom said matter was referred,
desires to call attention to the fact that the provisional boundary
line, which is suggested in the note of Mr. Hay on the White and
Chilcoot passes, has been accepted by the Government of the United
States and the Government of Canada as provisional about two years
ago.
The minister, with regard to the provisional delimitation of the
boundary on the Chilkat Pass, can not agree to the proposition that
it should be placed at the distance of 30 miles from the shore. He
contends that it should be placed at the crest of the mountains
nearest to the coast. But while he, the minister, thinks it quite
advisable that the line on the Chilkat Pass should be provisionally
established, he represents that at the same time, and concurrently,
the United States Government should agree to have the whole line
between Alaska and Canada from Prince of Wales Island to Mount St.
Elias determined by arbitration.
The minister further states that this assent to a provisional line is
not in any way to be construed as a deviation from the contention of
Canada that the boundary line by the terms of the treaty should pass
at the extreme entrance of the Lynn Canal.
The committee concur in the foregoing report and advise that Your
Excellency do communicate the sense of this minute to the Most
Honorable the Marquis of Salisbury, and to Her Majesty’s ambassador
to the United States.
All which is respectfully submitted for Your Excellency’s
approval.
John J. McGee,
Clerk of the Privy
Council.
