The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-07
OUR ALASKA POSSESSIONS.

The management OF the province
Alaska purchased by Mr.. Seward from
Russia for seven million dollars in gold,
has not been calculated to crafty Ma
tional thrift or National pride. The
fact is that almost cotemporaneorls with
its purchase grand job was put up 10y
a set of spectators to control all that
might be made out of this little empire,
and in that job are many men who are
now out of public life, and few who
are now in official position. A lease was
granted to company for long term OF
years, giving said company an absolute
control of the fisheries, etc, on merely
nominal royalty to be paid to the United
States. The STAR, nearly a year ago,
showed how this Company had contrived
to usurp almost absolute power at Sitka,
and at every settled point in the terrific
nv; had frozen OUT the United States
revenue officers and the Custom-house
authorities, and had had SO much
power at Washington as to cause
che withdrawal OF all naval
vessels and even the revenue
cutter from the Northern Pacific Coast
By this want OF protection all emigration
was stopped, and every business enter
prise that could possibly start up outside
of this great monopoly was choked off.
The Indians were urged on to aggressive
movements against the few white settle
ments, and all means of protection were
Withdrawn on the recommendation OF
this all-powerful company. Over year
ago the Custom-house officer, after
reaching Sitka and learning the true
state of affairs, made q full report, and
was obliged to leave by reason of the diff.
fculties of his position This report was
to the Treasury Department, and he re-
turned to San Francisco to await further
instructions. These were never given
but his report was made known to the
Alaska Seal and Fishing Company a
once by the Treasury Department, ant
no further notice was taken Of it.
No business competition, no NEEDLE
some Government officers, no naval o
military protection for settlers, was ant
is the ruling spirit of the company, AM
they have been able thus far to hay
their way, to the pecuniary loss and til
national disgrace of the United States.
The abandoned and misuscd people G
Alaska have lately been exposed to
great danger. The hosts of savage
which outnumber the white inhabitant
nearly ten to one, have been for a yea
or two past particularly hostile and al
gressive. The outrages perpetrated b
them have gone unpunished They hay
witnessed the Indifference with whic
tie home Government has regarded Il
SAFETY and commercial interests Of Il
people who are not connected with u
fishing monopoly, and had gathered C u
age and laid their plans for the enti
destruction of the donists, But for Il
interposition Of a foreign nation III
would probably have been accomplishe
An, appeal was made by the terrc
stricken settlers TO the British nav
commander stationed in the North l
etfic. A tnan-of-war---the Osprey-b!
aucky chance lay at Esquimault, It !,
Immediately ordered to go 10 their rel
and under the guns of foreign Po'
American citizens found protectioE'.
II ia not a very gratifying reflect
that this protection had Seeome ne
i.lsrr shropga long-eont:hucd negioc'