The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-08-02
llluRING VIEW OF ALASKA.
Temptations Ii Presents IL Gold
sosers and Srorfsmen.
Its Climate No Harsher 1nAn scot.
iaad Its Mountain Sides Tesm-
log With Gold.

Boston T-aye.er.
Mr. Naturin NJ 8allon, OF Boston.
the distinguished author ard traveller
rssufIsd To this city yesterday from
the latest OF his many notabie Jour
neys, Which, on this OCCASION. has in
ciusieo Alaska. where he has been
taking notes preparatory 70 writing 3
book en- thai renar kalle region. And
this vii be work TO look ssrgard 10.
not osiy FOR vivid and POLITICALLY pc
tnre que description and fresh inter
ests, but also for that authoritative
accuracy. that statistical truth. which
SO keen an observer and experienced a
Judge OF resources as Is Mr.. Ralloa
always embo<iies in his works. To
the capitalist, the political economist
the statesman, as we'll as the stasisti-
clan, this forthcoming book will be in
valuable, while To the general reader
and the tourist it cannot fail to pre-
sent hat graphic charm that enehanfs
the hour.
A representative of the Yrapelts
called on Mr.. Balioa at the Hotel
Brunswick this morning, soliciting the
privilege OF an interview on his obser-
vasions In Alaska. which Mr.. Bailou
most kindly granted. The first topic
questioned was regarding the develop
ment Of the country.
Mr.. Ballou is enthusiastic about the
present prosperity and future promise
OF tlis far northwestern portion of
our country, the size of which will be
best reslized By stating that it is twelve
times as large IN area as New York, or.
say, seventy-one times as large as
Massachusetts,. lit will not be
philanthropy" said Mr.. Ballou-
some of whose modest opponents are
on the ground-but self-interest, not
government enterprise, bat the seek
Jog FOR precious metals, which will
gradually unfold the great wealth and
resources OF this extensive province.
The hope of commercial gain has
done almost as much for the cause of
truth and progress as the love of
truth. The course of multitudes OF
people, guided by the instinct OF sell
nshness, will be oyerruled by provi-
dence for the general good Mr..
Ballou added that:
The very name of Alaska has. to
the popular ear, ring of glacier
fields and snow clad peaks, con-
veying frigid impression of
the climate quite unsupported
by fact" 1t seems that the
most habitable portions of the coun-
try lie between IS degrees and 90 de-
grees north. which is about the same
latitude as that of Scotland and South
ern Scandinavia, while the area of this
portion OF Alaska Is greater than that
of both of these countries combined.
Alaska teens with animal life. The
sea which lines its shores is so full of
excellent fish as 10 be never-ceasing
marvel, and the same may be said OF
its rivers, inlets and lakes. the former
being famous for the size and abund-
ance Of the salmon which they pro-
duce Half a hundred large factories
are now engaged in packing and ship
ping this fayorite food 10 various parts
of the world. Behring sea is an inn
mense reservoir of Goldfish. fairly ii
valliug the coast of Newfoundland.
The area within the limit of fifty faith
oms Of water is not less than 1900
square miles. The hills and valleys OF.
the islands and mainland support
more fur-bearing animals than can be
found on any other part of this CONT
nent Herds of wairuses are found on
the north coast, which yield food 10
the natives and and the best of ivory
for sale to the traders. When the
country was first discovered there was
another important animal found here
known as the sea-cow, which afforded
wholesome meat for the aborigines,
but this large, amphibious creature.
thirty feet long and seal.like in shape,
has now become extinct. The two
islands of st. George and 81. Paul
form a favorite resort of the fur seal,
which so abounds that nearly cen
fury OF active war wageCi upon them
by the hunters for the sake of their
valuable skins has produced no per.
eeptible diminution in their numbers.
From the lease of these two islands
our government has received annually
for nineteen years a sum equivalent to
Az per cent. upon the entire purchase
money paid to Russiafor the territory
of Alaska.
The interior of Alaska and its more
northeriy regions remain still unex-
plored The northwestern part OF the
territory shares with nor lheastern ST.
IBERIA the possession of the coolest win
ter climate in the world, but even here
it must be remembered that il is not
always winter. A peninsula makes
out from near the center OF the west
err coast of Alaska, the terminus of
which is the nearest point between
this continent and Asia, the two being
separated by Behring strait, the east
and west confront each other. Here
il is quite possible in clear weather 10
see the Asiatie coast-Eastern Siberia
from United States soil. the dis
tanc., across the strait being about
thirty eight miles. Occasionally inter
course between the natives of the two
continents is maintained 10y means OF
sailing crafts, and doubtless has been
going on for hundreds if MT for thou
sauos of years. In the summer season
the passage across the strait is often
mace in open unlocked boats. Our
biographies and encyclopedias help
u IL little more than the boundaries
of this great territory, which contains
nearly six hundred thousand square
miles. So far as size Is concerned this
broad section OF our Northwestern
possessions is an empire in itself.
with It's islands" said Mr.. Ballou,
lit has a coast line equal 10 the cir
cnmference of the globe. Very few OF
our people, even among the educated
class. have ap adequate idea of the size
of Alaska, two-thir.s OF which abounds
in available resources only awaiting
| development"
The interior and northern parts of
the country are the greatest breeding
places for birds yet discovered. Here
myriads of the ieathered tribe, con-
/ sisting of geese. ducks. swans and the
| like come annually tn lay their eggs
and tn fatien upon the abundance OF
wild berries. The geese especially be-
come so fat by the close of the season,
/ feeding upon the plentiful supply OF
Wholesome food that they can hardly
I iiy and are knocked over with clubs
+ by the natives, who in turn feast lnxu-
riously upon their tender flesh. On
the banks of the fucon, the great
river II Central Alaska. are found the
=. breeding places Of the canYasbaek
Al