THE SAN JUAN DISPUTE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1343, 18 November 1872, Page 2

THE SAN JUAN DISPUTE.

It appears from the English telegraphic intelligence that another point in dispute between America and England has by arbitration been decided against us. This is the long-disputed question as to ownership of San Juan, a .small island lying between Vancouver Island and the mainland. At first sight (says the Australasian of November 2), it would appear a matter of extreme insignificance as to which of the vast territories of North America— the United States or tbte British Dominion— this little island is declared to belong; but in reality the question is by no means a trifling one. Indeed; Viscount Milton, in a recent book founded on his journey through America, declares that "on a just and equitable solution (by which, of course, he meant a settlement favorable, to England) of the socalled San Juan Water Boundary question depends, the future, not only of British Columbiaj but also of the entire British Possessions in North America." To explain the importance . attached by both countries to the ownership of San Juan, it is requisite to remember that Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, stands on the south-eastern extremity of Vancouver's Jsland, that access to it is absolutely commanded by San Juan, and that, with the island in the hands of a hostile Power, Victoria would be entirely cut off from aU communication with the mainland. It is this- position that has made San Juan spoken of as "the Cronstadt of the Pacific." To our fellowcolonists the island would-be invaluable for purposes of protection, and would be useless for any object of aggression* To the United States; on the other hand, it is valueless for defensive purposes, and only capable as being made useful as a pagis of offensive operations. Under these circumstances all the equities

appeared to be on the side of the British claim. However, the case of the claimants rested on the construction of a treaty made in 1846, by which the dividing line between the two Dominions, through the De Haro Archipelago, of which San Juan is a part, was made to follow the navigable channel. But it appears there are several channels, and the question as. to the interpretation of the agreement' became so difficult that it had to be referred to the arbitration of the Emperor of Germany. Now itseems th« decision is given against us, and however we may feel the inconvenience of the result, there i 3 no reason whatever to question the justice of the award given by the illustrious arbitrator- to whom the question was submitted. . .