The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-15
EXPLORATION OF ALASKA.

The work which Frederick Schwatka and
Israel Russell left unfinished is going 30 be
completed this summer by j. L. McGrath ana
j. II. Turner. The exact height OF Mount
81. Elias. the highest mountain Ia North
America. is going TO be ascertained at last
in spite of the fogs which shroud the sum-
nit. Geographers, map-makers and oro-
graphists have blundered over 1T since the
days of old Vancouver. No two geogra-
Pliers agree on the point In some of the
older charts the mountain is said to be
10000 feet il height. A few years ago ex-
plorers knocked of 5000 feet from this
measurement, and then Popoeatepetl was
crowned king of mountains in North
America. But last year Professor Russell
actually elm bed the mountain to point
$4,000 feet above sea level. and he esti-
mated that there remained 1900 feet of
mountain above him. Ii SO, the cap must
be $4,000 feet high. which is nearly 100 feet
higher than the highest peak of Popecate-
plet 1t is TO determine this question that
Messrs. MeGrath and Turner are to depart
from San Francisco in the Hassler. All
will bid them godspeed on their perilous
journey.
Another work upon which these young
scientists will spend time will be the estab-
hshment OF more stations on the 14lst
meridian to determine the boundary be-
tween the United States and Canada. In
1889 and 1890 they fixed the meridian line
on the bank of the Porcupine, and on va
riOus points on the Upper Yokon. When
few more stations are determined the line
can be marked from Mount 81. Elias TO the
Arctic Sea. This part Of the work will
present no serious difficulties, though it
VIII be laborious, and the cold will be
severe. 1t is not agreeable 10 observe that
the best fur regions of Alaska, and possibly
the most productive mineral regions, will 20
to Canada in the division of the territory,
but that is the fortune of war. Fort Selkirk
is On Canadian soil, and the Peily IS Ca
madam from its source to its mouth; so is
the Mackenzie. There is said to be some
good agricultural country on the southern
slope Of the Rockies, which is also Canadian.
If ever these regions become productive
their outlet Will have TO be through Alaska.
The most difficult part Of the border sur-
vey will be the portion between Dixon
Sound and Mount ST. Elias. AS defined by
the treaty Of 1926, the line runs 50 miles
from l0w-water mark, or along the crime d9
cap Of the seacoaSt range; the vagueness
Of this definition opens the door for dozen
boundary disputes. which may or may not
become embtteTed according TO the temper
Of the peoples interested. They are finding
some mineral in these mountains. and it is
often a nice question whether the mines are
on the east Or west side of the boundary
line. At present the only miners who are
prospecting and operating are Americans.
But the Canadians may take the field at
any time, and if bonauzas should happen TO
be discovered serious controversies might
arise. 1t is well that the line should be
traced aUth0Titatiyely without delay.
Two problems call for solution in Alaska
One is whether road available Tor wagons
can be made from Chilcoot village to the
headwaters of the Yukon. II ii can, that
would be the natural outlet Of the Upper
Yukon Valley. and the 1000 odd miles of
river navigation would be saved. The other
problem is whether there is not arabic land
in tie plateau lying back Of Yakitat. In
Vulnerable lakes have been seen IN this
plateau, and it is quite likely that the recsd-
Ing glaciers have clothed the rocks with
coating Of alluvium. Whether the climate
Is such as 10 permit widespread agriculture
is not known, though Glave found grass on
which ne fed his horses. Il is quite worth
the while of the Government 10 determine
whether Alaska has any possibilities beyond
producing fuT-bearng animals, salmon and
small quantities OF mineral