The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-03
NEW MEMBER OF OUR NATIONAL
FAMILY


| A new element Of population seems
| likely to be added to our already mixed
nationality, in the form Of company Of
Icelanders, who, led by the advantages
| offered by our form of government and
| the attraction of our newly acquired
possessions, are making preparations
| to locate in the recently purchased strip
of winter known as Alaska. Our coun-
try is constantly proving itself able to
accommodate all who may be attracted
to it, in both climate, productions, form
of government and capacity, and this
new addition to Uncle Sans family is
but another demonstration of the fact.
Three lcelandors were recently sent
to Alaska by their countrymen, to view
the region and judge OF the practicability
| OF locating an extensive colony there,
have reported most tayorably. Indeed,
so highly pleased were these three gen.
tlemen with the region they visited that
two Ot ther., Messrs. Olaf Olafsson and
Paul Bjornsson, decided to remain and
and take up their permanent abode there
and prepare for the colony which they
confidently expect their report will
bring thither.
The report, the first Icelandic work
ever printed in the United States, was
published at the Government printing
office in Washington from type cast in
New York for that purpose. The work
is very full concerning the climate and
productions, and especially SO regard
ing the rivers and coast and the fishing
capacities Of that region. This report
was made by Mr.. John Olafsson by di-
rection of the other members of the Com
mittee. Mr.. Olafsson recently left New
York on his return to his native coun-
try, and will present the report to his
countrymen.
Secretary Robson has given the Com
mittee much encouragement, and besides
urging them to full and thorough in
vestigation, has recommended that Gov
ernmental aid be granted the colonists
in order to insure their permanent loca-
lion and frequent additions from Iceland
to their numbers. 1t is understood that
other Governments are making efforts to
attract this incipient emigration, and as
the Iceland people are Of clannish dis
position, he especially recommends that
strong efforts be made to secure this their
first movement in this regard. :.
1t seems probable that both material
and political advantages to our country
may in time grow cut of this proposed
settlement, and especially would it be
of value to our national and commercial
marine interests and to our undeveloped
fisheries on the Northwestern coasts.
The large choice of occupation offered to
the Inhabitants OF SO large country,
and one Of such varied resources, rem
ders the number who choose the hard
ships of a sea-taring life comparatively
small and sadly cripples our naval and
mercantile marine in it's extent and USE
| fulness.
From this standpoint no better
selection could be made for an
additional element to our population.
The Icelanders, from the very nature
Of their location and surroundings, have
been trained, from time immemorial, to
the hardships and peculiarities OF a sea-
faring life; and an addition of this kind
to our coast population would in time
give us an intelligent, orderly and well.
trained class of sailors from which
our marine might be not only kept up
but greatly enlarged, to the great benefit
of our country. Another advantage, as
already limited at, will be the develop
ment of the fisheries on this coast, which
are already known to be very valuable,
and for the development of which these
people seem especially adapted, bott
from habit and from an ability to endure
the rigors of the climate. In fact il
seems that the requirements of the coun
try and the wants of the Icelanders, com
bined with the fitting characteristics Of
both locality and people, urge q speedy
consummation of the proposed work, and
it is to be hoped that MI. o lafsson's plans
will meet with encouragement both with
our Government and his own.
|