Molotov

Attention of the Colonial Office now turns to the dispute between the local government of British Columbia and the local government of the Alaska Territory. Fundamentally, the dispute is about access to rivers and free passage to the ocean, for the purpose of mining and fishing. The Alaskan and Columbian claims are mutually exclusive, of course, and neither of these claims being accepted would produce a fair outcome, as one party or the other would be denied access to the rivers that are the lifeblood of the hardy fishermen and miners that inhabit the area. Previous attempts at compromise have been made, but all have failed to address the needs of the inhabitants and their concerns by simply drawing lines on a map rather than determining what those lines would mean for the locals.

The Royal Geographical Survey - which was unfortunately mistaken by Alaskan fishermen as a belligerent party of the Royal Navy, we believe, hence their call for protection - has been working in the area since 1897, and now has drawn up two compromise border proposals, which would guarantee both areas access to the rivers and the sea, while avoiding, as much as possible, exclaves or the division of small islands with a border by following waterways. Perhaps rather bored, they have been nicknamed by the RGS 'Compromise Border 1' and 'Compromise Border 2'. Discussions with the US federal government have found that the second of these options is preferred, and as such, the following proposal is introduced, on the basis of Compromise 2.

• As a general rule, territory east of the line is to be Canadian, while territory west of the line, Alaskan. Free and peaceful passage through these inlets, rivers and estuaries will be guaranteed to both Alaskan and Canadian citizens, to facilitate the prosperity of both parties and encourage their friendship. In accordance with the Rush-Bagot treaty, the area is to be demilitarised, so that neither Canadians nor Alaskans need feel threatened or demand protection from one another.
• To the north and west of the Devil's Paw mountain, the border will run as per the previous proposed compromise, keeping Mud Bay and Glacier Bay as part of Alaska (historical border).
• From the Devil's Paw mountain, the Canadian border is to run south-south-west along Taku Inlet. At the mouth of Taku Inlet, the border shall run along the sea to Holkham Bay.
• From Holkham Bay, the border will run through St. Stephen's Passage to Frederick Sound. When it reaches Wrangell Island, it will proceed along the line of the water, with Wrangell Island and all territory southwest of it to be part of Alaska.
• Upon reaching Bradfield Canal, the land border will run from Anan Creek to Eagle Lake, which will serve as a boundary itself, and from Eagle Lake to Klahini Bay.
• At Klahini Bay, the border continues along the water south-south east. Revillagigedo Island and all territory southwest of it including Duke Island, to go to Alaska.
• The mainland coast east of this line to be to Canada. This will continue along the coast until reaching Wales Island and the existing undisputed Canadian border.

We feel that this adequately addresses and compensates the grievances of both the British Columbians and the Alaskans, as both, per this proposal, will have full access to the seas and rivers, and not be cut off from the territory of their own country by the territory of the other at any point - Juneau remains connected by land to the rest of Alaska, unlike in previous compromise proposals, but the Canadians are not cut off from Taku Inlet or other access points to the sea, as also has occurred in previous compromises. In addition, with guarantees of free passage and demilitarisation in accordance with existing treaties, Great Britain believes that all concerned parties would come away from this deal happier and more prosperous than they are at present.

-The Rt Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies

The United States finds this agreement amicable and feels it adequately addresses our concerns. it also prevents concerns over the safety of native Alaskans who's livelihoods rely on the water in the region.

((Is there a map for this? I skimmed the wiki page for the boundary dispute and saw there's a map explaining it, but I cannot be fucked to spend an hour figuring out what this looks like, especially if I have to change the map a tiny bit for it.))

Huojin wrote:((Is there a map for this? I skimmed the wiki page for the boundary dispute and saw there's a map explaining it, but I cannot be fucked to spend an hour figuring out what this looks like, especially if I have to change the map a tiny bit for it.))

(Yes, I used a map to work out the border, but the scale of this is so marginal it's not worth changing the map, I think, on a world-scale map. It's a small change to the historical borders around Juneau, representing a better compromise than the 50% one done historically. For the record, it's the historical border except for the pink line shown here (ignore the other brown line):
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1r87aN ... sp=sharing)

The Govenor-General of the Dominion of Canada wishes that the United Kingdom had consulted with it first before making decisions about its boundaries. While we do appreciate the concern that London is showing in our well being and pursing a balanced policy, it would be good form to contact the local colonial government before making such a move.

Doctor of Oblivion wrote:

The Govenor-General of the Dominion of Canada wishes that the United Kingdom had consulted with it first before making decisions about its boundaries. While we do appreciate the concern that London is showing in our well being and pursing a balanced policy, it would be good form to contact the local colonial government before making such a move.

(Negotiations have been going on for years, so ICly this wasn't a unilateral decision by Britain or a surprise. No cause for Canada to complain, and given the way this game works, no real way to consult other than presenting this and waiting for Canada's signature on the treaty, which is also required in any case. There were three positions: the local government of British Columbia, the Canadian and British governments, and the Alaskan position. This is essentially Britain supporting the Canadian confederal government and overriding the territorial ambitions of British Columbia with a fairer deal than happened IRL. I went off and researched the dispute before I did this, you see. :p So your post is fairly irrelevant or inaccurate!)