The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-25

General Hnlseck on tho Military D,vigia a
or tho Pacsac-whar w. Want in
Alaska.
The published synopsis Of General Halleckis
annual report on the affairs OF the Military
DIVISION OF the Pacific embraces some inter
essing facts. This military division covers an
area OF over million Of square miles, includ-t
ing tho vast Territory of Alaska, the Terrific
ries OF Washington and Idaho, the States OF
Oregon, California and Nevada, and the Terri
tory OF Arizona, extending from the frozen
regions OF the Polar bear down to the zone Of
the olive and the orange and 1t has coast
line, coast islands included, Of over twalxs
thousand miles in extent. The whole pouuIa-
ton Of these vast domains is put down at seven
hundred thousand whites and ono hundred and
thirty thousand Indians, while we doubt not d
is capable of supporting at least fifty millions
OF people from its agricultural resources it's
mines, salt lakes, forests and fisheries r
General Halleck recommends more troops
for Alaska, but thinks that a regular Territorial
government is hardly necessary for it's popula-
ton OF two thousand whites and fifteen thou
sand Indians the Indians and Esquimaux Of
the vast mainland of Alaska not being in
Guided. The General sets down the prevail
ing ideas of fabulous mines of gold and silver
in Arizona as decidedly fabulous but has
good opinion of the agricultural GASES of ths
generally desert Territory; and he thinks
there should be more troops in the Territory
10 look after the ferocious Apachcs. We think
so too But we are disappointed in the brevity
of the Generals suggestions about Alaska
Here we have a Territory exceeding four
hundred thousand square miles in extent-a
great empire itself in the matter of space-of
which we know next to nothing excepting the
little strip OF coast line of which Stka is the
commercial centre and excepting the string
Of islands running along the coast by this PAN
handle. We reach the southeast corner of the
great mainland of Alaska at Mount ST. Elias,
on the line of the sxtieth degree Of north lati-
tude or about six hundred miles north of the
northern line of Newfoundland From the
sixteth to the seventieth degree north latitude,
or to within twenty degrees Of the North Pole,
from the sixty third to the ninety third degree
Of west longitude from Washington in the other
direction. In Colton's Geography the populations
of this immense Territory Of four hundred and
eighty-one thousand square miles is given 40
eighty thousand, nearly air Indians and .Esqui-
maux, and yet our government knows less
concerning this newly acquired country and
the people than it knows of Equatorial Africa
or Central Asia Some telegraphic explorers
have discovered the great river Kvickpack or
Yoncon Of Alaska to be equal to the Missis-
sippi in length and volume, and they tell ms
wonderful stories of the sublime Youcon
scenery and the magnificent valley openings
Of this giant hyperborean stream; and tho
United States steamer Wayanda has made
some valuable discoveries of coal mines and
good harbors along the extensive line If the
Alaskan coast; but this il all.
What we want, therefore, is thorough
exploration Of Alaska by a well equipped expo
dition for land and water researches, and wa
dition recommended by General HaIleck. WEI
call the attention of President Johnson to thy
subject, and hope that no will not fail to recon-.
mend this scientific exploration in bis annual
Message to Congress, inasmuch az this impe-
rial speculation in snow drifts granite noun
tains, unknown rivers, rocky islands waIruses,
Goldfish, Esquimaux aud Polar bears il the
distinguishing achievement Of his administers
tiou.