In my last annual message I referred to the pending negotiations with
Great Britain in respect to the Dominion of Canada. By means of an
executive agreement, a Joint High Commission had been created for the
purpose of adjusting all unsettled questions between the United States
and Canada, embracing twelve subjects, among which were the questions of
the fur seals, the fisheries of the coast and contiguous inland waters,
the Alaskan boundary, the transit of merchandise in bond, the alien
labor laws, mining rights, reciprocity in trade, revision of the
agreement respecting naval vessels in the Great Lakes, a more complete
marking of parts of the boundary, provision for the conveyance of
criminals, and for wrecking and salvage.

Much progress had been made by the Commission toward the adjustment of
many of these questions, when it became apparent that an irreconcilable
difference of views was entertained respecting the delimitation of the
Alaskan boundary. In the failure of an agreement as to the meaning of
Articles III and IV of the treaty of 1825 between Russia and Great
Britain, which defined the boundary between Alaska and Canada, the
American Commissioners proposed that the subject of the boundary be
laid aside, and that the remaining questions of difference be proceeded
with, some of which were so far advanced as to assure the probability
of a settlement. This being declined by the British Commissioners, an
adjournment was taken until the boundary should be adjusted by the two
Governments. The subject has been receiving the careful attention which
its importance demands, with the result that a _modus vivendi_ for
provisional demarcations in the region about the head of Lynn Canal has
been agreed upon; and it is hoped that the negotiations now in progress
between the two Governments will end in an agreement for the
establishment and delimitation of a permanent boundary.

Apart from these questions growing out of our relationship with our
northern neighbor, the most friendly disposition and ready agreement
have marked the discussion of numerous matters arising in the vast and
intimate intercourse of the United States with Great Britain.

This Government has maintained an attitude of neutrality in the
unfortunate contest between Great Britain and the Boer States of
Africa. We have remained faithful to the precept of avoiding entangling
alliances as to affairs not of our direct concern. Had circumstances
suggested that