THE Thames Advertiser. Favour to none; fear of none; jutice to all. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1896. THE ANGLO-AMERICAN TREATY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8617, 22 December 1896, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. Favour to none; fear of none; jutice to all. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1896. THE ANGLO-AMERICAN TREATY.

A London cable of a few days ago stated that tho arbitration treaty being entered into by England and America decides existing disputes for the past five years, including the Alaska question, bub excepting the Venezuelan and the Behring Sea disputes. • With reference to the Alaska matter we have to go back to a treaty dated 25th February, 1825, inado between Russia and Great Britain by which all islands to the north of s'ldeg 40min N, were assigned to Russia; on the mainland of the boundary ascends the Portland Canal to 56deg N., and then follows tho western lino of the mountains, but never exceeding a distance of 10 leagues from the coast. The United States, when they purchased Alaska in 1867, acquired it subject to these conditions. Differences of opinion on tho interpretation of this treaty have arisen between the United States and tho Dominion of Canada, The former maintain the " Portland Canal" of the treaty is the fiord thus named on modern maps, and that the ten leagues are to bo measured from the head of all bays or fiords, Tho Dominion Government, on the other hand, has pointed out that the "Portland Canal" referred to separates the Revilla-Gigedo Island from the main-, land, and that the ten leagues ought to be measured from tho outer coast, The dispute has acquired some importanco owing to the discovery of gold within I the territory claimed by the United i States. A. careful survey lias been made of tho whole of the region in dispute, and the final settlement of the vexed question will probably now be made. The Venezuelan trouble will we presume bo adjusted on the basis of the arbitrators' decision which may nob be known for some littlo time. There will be some difficulty daro say in the definition of the boundaries and many parties to please, bub Venezuela in being given a considerable slice •of territory to the west of the Essequiho, which it is stated will be done, should : afc ane rate be satisfied. There is no necessity to interfere further in the Behring sea matter so far as Great Britain and the United States are concerned, for tho 1803 arbitration and its subsequent result has been satisfactory to both nations..