The sun., 1890-09-08
sHE E1rIonA1IoN Or ALlskA.
The Rsuss nHIntsry Co.uittse Proposes
- Rend Out = RartV Next Year.


The nsuss nHIiitarv Co.u'tsss Froposes
- sena Oct PartY Next Tssr.
WARRINGTON. Sept 7.-Amerieans who de-
sire TO make discoveries In unknown lands
need not 20 to the heart OF Africa Without
crossing either ocean they can ind hundreds
OF thousands OF square miles OF unexplored
area in the northern part OF this continent.
The Dominion Of Canada has late y been pros
ecutinE this work Of home exploration with
much viEor. and now the House Military Com
mittes In Congress haa caught the fever and
want to send an expedition TO Alaska
In this purpose Gen. Cutcbeon, the Chairman
OF the Military Committee, has the aid OF two
army officers. Capt p II. Ray, Eighth Infantry.
and Lieut. L W. V. Kennon. Sixth Infantry,
who are enthusiastic on the subject. and would
undoubtedly head the proposed expedition
should the bill providing it be passed. The
former has had useful experience in northern
Alaska. having been put in charge OF the Point
Barrow party several years ago The introduc-
ton Of q bill providing for the establishment
OF q permanent military post at SitkR was
made the occasion for substituting bill look
ing to the exploration OF the Territory. and
Secretary Proctor. on being consulted. gave
the scheme his cordial sanction.
Twenty-three years have passed since Alaska
coast line has been followed and surveyed, as
have also, in part a few OF It's rivers, particu-
latly the great Yukon. which has been visited
by several exploring partieR Much has also
been done In the narrow strip forming the eX-
treme southern portion Of the Territory and in
general wherever mining is carried on. In the
region OF the boundary between Alaska and
the Dominion OF Canada surveying parties are
now busy who will add to this stock Of in
formation. from
rivers. aud the boundary line. there is an enor:
nc nous area. amounting t2 several hundred
visited. and about which almost nothing is
known. To supply information upon this re-
mittee. as approved bv the Secretary OF War.
- According to the plan drawn up by Lieut
hennon the exploring party would include q
minimum OF nifty and maximum of q hundred
enlisted mon Of the army. toHether with scien-
titic observers aud guides from the reGion.
would take with il q steamboat in sections
and also cav mill the mill being sot up at
the central point selected az the hase OF the
exredticn. and the steamboat being put to-
Rether on the Yukon. With this apparatus
and WITH steam launch. barCes; mu!e- various
supplies. and tools and b general outft for COM
fort and safety. the expedition would e much
better equipped for its work than those of
fSstesd q the haste which i % has inferfered O SO
much with the success OF these expeditions,
there would be delibsrntion the patty propos-
ing 10 remain at its task at least threO years.
1t would take pleLty OF clothing. and stores.
and establishing its headquarters on the
Yukon. at q point which q steamer could reach.
1t would then send out parties in all directions
Astronomers, ReoloRists. botanlsts and other
scientific men would go with the expedition,
and the art of photography would. ofcourse. be
brought into full plAy. The total cost for the
thl ee years is estimated at 100000 which is
not excessive.
Whether any returns would come in the way
OF increased trade IS probably not much con-
stdered. Tho main object iB scientific, and the
laudable desire to ACQUIRE accurate infUrma-
ton in regard To this portion OF the national
for Alaska what Denmark has arranged to be
sim utaneously doing next year for Greenland
Indeed. this latter movement and Norway 8
undertaking in polar eIploraiions may possi-
Still. Lieut. kennons memorandum indicates
that something may be hoped from the new
expedition Of a commercial character. 1t Is
believed" ho says. that besides the profitable
trade in iurs which has been carried on with
the natives for many years there may be sutii-
cient wealth in lumber and minerals 10 pay de-
veloppOnt. Agriculture is successful lly prose-
Gu ed in like latitudes in Russia and he indi-
cations are that this Interest might be suffl-
ciently developed 10 provide for the wants OF a
these questions. however, remain to be settled
by proper examination OF the country" So
far as mineral wealth Is concerned. Alaska mas
certainly developed more OF II than was gen.
The optimstic views OF Mr.. Seward In regard
to its possibilities as an agricultural couutry.
have. perhaps. not been fully realized. but it is
quite certain that our corner lot. although
it has given some trouble in diplomatic nego-
ttations, has proved quite as valuable as was
expected and that It's purchase was a good
investment Should Congress authorize the
proposed expedition under Capt Ray and
Lieut. kepnon. much more would be know OF
the geography OF Alaska three years hence.