Morning journal and courier., 1885-06-27
Hudson Hay Exploration.

v
 Hudson Hay Exploration.
 [From the Popular Science Monthly.l
 In the month of February report was laid before the Parliament of Canada detail ing the results of an expedition dispatched by the government of that country, particu- larly for the purpose of inquiring into the navigability of Hudson Strait and Bay, and, at the same time, of gathering information concerning the resources of that region, and it's availability as field for settled habita- tion. This report represents the first prop erly organized attempt that has ever been made to pierce the secrets of the Hudson Bay for the public benefit.
 It is at first blush not easy to understand why this mighty expanse of water, occupy ing the peculiarly important position that it does, should remain for so many generations comparatively unexplored, and wholly unu- tilized except as hunting ground for few New Bedford whalers, or medium of easy communication between some half dozen scattered factories of the Hudson Bay com pany. Although called bay, it is really an inland sea, one thousand miles in length by six hundred in width, having thus an area of about five hundred thousand square miles, or quite half that of the Mediterranean. It drains an expanse of country spreading out more than two thousand miles from east to west and fifteen hundred from north to south, or an area of three million square miles. Into it's majestic waters pour feeders which take their rise in the Rocky Noun tains on the west and in Labrador on the east, while southward it stretches out it's riv roots away below the forty ninth parallel until they tap the same lake source which sends 8 stream into the Gulf of Mexico. Despite it's distance northward, it's blue waves are never bound by icy letters, and it's broad gateway to the Atlantic is certainly navigable four months out of the year, and possibly all the year round to properly equipped steamships. It depths abound in finny wealth, from the mammoth whale to the tiny caplin. Its shores are serrated by numerous streams, some navigable for long distances inland and all stocked with the finest of fresh water fish, and clothed as to their banks with valuable timber ready for the lumberman's axe. Its islands are rich in mineral ore of many kinds. The country whose margin it's tides lave is we'll adapted for tillage and pasturage, while all around the region swarms with animals and birds whose flesh or fur renders their chase a highly lucrative employment.
 We come now to Lieutenant Gordon's observations upon the natural history of the country, and, first of all, as to it's hu- man inhabitants. These are very scanty, and, with the exception of a few white men at the traders posts, are solely Eski- mos. On the north side of the strait they are quite familiar with the ways of white men, and seem to be highly pleased at the prospect of increased intercourse with them. Occasionally one is met with who has mas tered the English tongue, but not often. Many others understand well enough what is said to them in that language, although they cannot be persuaded to speak it. They are fond Of article c1V izo1 clothing and the head man at North Bluff manifested no small pride at the possession of stand up linen collar, which he display ed to the utmost advantage. In character they are docile, amiable and willing to work When landing the stores and coal at North Bluff they worked all day long with the men, carrying heavy weights up over the rocks and toiling away as cheerily and heart fly could be desired, asking other re- muneration than biscuits, of which commo- tlity they are inordinately fond. These peo- pie have no farinaceous food of any kind, and, as consequence, the children are not weaned until they reach the age of three or four years. The families are small, there rarely being more than two or three children, and, although early marriages are the rule, their numbers must be diminished, because signs of their presence were met with every where, while the people themselves were found at only three places along the straits,
 
 to be between Cape Chudleigh and Nachvak. Along the Labrador coast the Eskimos gath CT in small settlements around the Moravian mission stations. Main is considered the largest settlement and it's Eskimo population does not exceed two hundred souls. Those at the stations are all educated, being able to read and write in their own language, and, according to the missionaries, are regular at tendants at church and very fond of music two excellent and hopeful traits, certainly.
 German Military Punfshments.
 From the Army and Navy Quarterly.l
 In room arrest the offender is confined to his own quarters. He is not allowed to leave them without permission, ,nor to receive visitors When arrest is enforced against captains or subalterns, a particular room may be set apart for the purpose, but in this event it is called severe room arrest, and is a judicial, not a disciplinary punishment During room arrest, as during all similar re strictions on liberty, the offending officer can neither carry arms nor wear any deco rations which he may possess. When, how ever, he has obtained permission to leave his room he is allowed to carry his sword. When an officer is sentenced to room arrest his sword is received by another and delivered over to the governor or commandant of the fort In simple room arrest, however, 8 superior officer exercising the least disciplin- ary power receives and retains his arms. This duty usually falls to the adjutant, but if he be not present the arms may remain in the house or apartments of the offender. In simple room arrest the officer is again con- fined to his own residence, and is not allowed to receive visitors. If, however, he occupies a house in common with other people he may mix with them usual. A married man, therefore, is not separated from his family while the visits of his doctor are al- ways allowed. Any doubtful points are de- cided by superior officer, who in urgent cases may permit access to a few persons. Open-air exercise is usually allowed after the IA davs' confinement, but if his doctor declares such exercise to be essential to health before that time the arrested officer is permitted to leave his house for an hour daily under the supervision of an equal or superior in rank The attention of every officer sentenced to simple room arrest is directed by 8 superior to a regulation in the M1litar-S ar-Strafgezetzbuch, which says: HAny officer who during room arrest shall leave his quarters on his own responsibility will be punished with six months imprisonment and dismissed from service. Any officer who during room arrest shall receive visit on his own responsibility will be punished with six months imprisonment and in se1l- l ous cases with dismissal from service" These laws are founded on the idea that we should be able to rely on the officer implicitly to obey regulations for the maintenance of discipline, If he do not he betrays sacred trust and sets example to interiors ln rank which must have the worst possible effects.
 THE TESTIMONY.