The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-21
THE 1HLINKETs AND THE CANNERIEs.
How the Natives OF Alaskn Find Their
Sources OF Food supply EncrOnched Upon.

Sources or Food Supply Encroached Upon.
WARRINGTON Feb. 20.-Snlmon catching and
| canning has como to be by far the most i'm.
portant Of Alaska's industries. Tho seals
| make more stir in diplomacy: the mines are
| 80 placed as to raise the question Of inter-
national boundaries: but tho salmon stand at
| the top Of the Territory's exports. and give
employment to many mon.
1t is an industry. too. whose rapid growth
| betokens a great future. In 1883 the total
pack was only 81 900 cases. or less than 1900
| 900 cans. In 1885 it had become "A. 800 cases
| the next year. 12O.70O cases: In 1887 it had
reached 1DO. 200 cases: In 1883 1t was 439. 203
while for 1900. the last reckoning yet pub
lished by the Interior Department. the pack
was 0SS.332 cases. or 33.030 03B cans. There
was also n trade that year in the sailed fish
amounting to 1900 barrels. and altogether
the business employs. with its scores OF fnc-
tories. hundred steam vessels and five hun
dred fishing boats about $500 men.
1t is unfortunate. therefore. that an expert
enced officer Of the revenue marine. Capt NJ
A. Healy of the Bear. should find reason to de-
clnre these cnnneries "a curse to Alaska" In
his view. both whites and Indians have Just
cause to complain Of them and they are con-
Quoted to the detriment Of the best interests
Of the Territory. The whites are offended be-
from British Columbia and elsewhere under
contracts for furnishing all their supplies. so
that they are OF no benefit in building UP local
trace. But the grievance OF the Indians Is
more serious 1t being that the canneries seize
upon all the neighboring salmon. occupying
every available stream and cutting Off the
natives from their customary supplies of food.
Capt. Healy fears that II such aggressions
upon the Thlinket Indians are continued
general outbreak may result
These are not the first complaints that have
been made against the canneries. Several
years ago tho Governor Of Alaska reported
that there was urgent need OF regulating the
fisheries. and that reports had reached him OF
everlasting some streams and OF barricading
them SO that the sa lmon could not 60 up. <
Government official was directed to check this
latter practice. but could not secure transpor-
Ing year the Governor again reported that I'm
in many moro unwise and destructive meth
DDS are employed; Aside from the business
Interests Of the white peonle. tho actual subsist.
S{suaSs and the habits tSsir s ancv st1s
subsistence" Some time ago report Was cur.
rent that the Indians OF, Chilcut were stirred
e hFsss pr a the Hem sas
so h sy be sbas Ss
created anxiety for time. Still another
sG 1 iy,e Of tTS%Is was G9sisy TsnqTtsd
recent census in Alaska:
n eS Of another tnd san also only be
. 4 'ss '5S
's n: %:y ,sS
the hands the NAT, s6orsrs ana q the w"r. ole,
ms l among the n.hermen The Chinese peidle this
trade Tia. large Of es IL
sons aSI on SGt
ably BECOMES ON locked up In the hands of the Chinese
TINS G charge of ss, .pe
IL rare n.tances that they succeed in coniss ntns
sa S Of g Wen they
ns r.. nnsr >. 9nf injury Their Business
n' '"s an1ims .as
ns ct S i Hns on ss,o hay aos o whites
i.snin.u!a about 200 white. ana 500 CHINESE t' at
q s. fn.nsrs. q S9S in;T 5S whites
River canncries. about $50 whites AMI 200 Chinese
The statistics Of the seven districts Of Alaska
fewer than 2.la5 China amen nearly all at Wo WORK i
uston Was put down gS and r1 a Si'iae 1GR
81, these were engaged in the. same industry
10 drive the natives Of Alaska int h0stilities
cr. up9n ter i"1d fIpny would
whites, and the little trouble, they have given
10 the GcNernmcnt during the quarter of "
century OF our occupation OF Alaska. merit
more humane treatment The native In
dams, says Secretary Noble III his last report.
quoting from the Governor of the Territory,
arc more settled reliable. and intelligent
than the Indians of the plains. They live in
nxeu nhodes: and arc independent and self |
sustaining They have made great strides TO-
ward the American civilization. and their |
progress may be facilitated by tho con |
t 4, liberal aid Of the Government
the III protection Of their legal !, rights"
orally neaceable disposition. and the. fierce.
our southwestern frontier Nobody dreams OF
for tho Alasknns or Of forts to |
protect the settlers against them. A dozen |
years ago there was u rumor OF conflicts be.
tween two different settlements OF Indians. |
but it amounted TO little. as did like rumor
three or four years ago. Troops were formerly |
stationed In Alaska, but they were withdrawn
as not needed. Unlike the Indinns Of tho
plains. industry is easy to these people, and in |
place OF being imProyident they are actually
thrifty. They will do n great deal to earn
money and those who dislike them call them
lVhricious OF course they have their faults
and In being docle are said TO he deceitfuI
but II lying Is ono Of their traits. stealing ia
not. The appeal made by the Governor to the
present Congress To- define tho true legal
status OF the native Alaskans" Is accompanied
by very earnest discussion: but II Cant
hea!y Ia rightly reported. n more pressing
need Is that OF protecting them against the
seizure Of their sources Of food.