The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-12-10

national pride The government by every
proper constitutional means should aid In
making our ships familiar visitors at every
commercial port Of the world. thus opening
up new and valuable markets to the surplus
products of the farm and the factory.
International Arbitration.
International arbitration cannot be omitted
from the list Of subjects claiming our consider
the general views on this question expressed In
my inaugural address. The best sentiment OF
the civilized world is moving toward the settle
ment Of differences between nations wlthOutre-
sortins to the horrors Of war. Treaties embody-
ing these humane principles on broad lines
without in any way imperilng our interests or
our honor shall have my constant encourage
ment
Our Navy.
The present immediate effective forces Of the
navy consists of four battleships OF the first
class two of the second and 4S other vessels,
ranging from armored cruisers to torpedo boats
There are under construction five battleShipS
of the first class ID torpedo boats and one sub
marine boat No provision has yet been made
for the armor of three Of the battleShipss as 1t
has been impossible to obtain it at the price
fixed by congress 1t is of great Importance
that congress provide this armor, until then
the ships Of no fighting value The pres
ent naval force. especially in view OF its
increase by ships now under construction
while not as large as that Of few other pow
ers, is formidable force. its vessels are the
that should be made to it from time to time in
the future, and careful attention to keeping it
in high state Of efficiency and repair. 1t is
well adapted to- the necessities OF the country.
The Territory of Alaska.
The territory of Alaska requires the prompt
| and early attention Of congress The condi-
| lions now existing demand material changes in
| the laws relating to- the territory. The great
influx Of population during the past summer
and fall and the prospect OF q still larger immi-
| grafton in the spring will not permit us to
| longer neglect the extension of civil authority
within the territory or postpone the establish
ment of a more thorough government
/ Ageneral system Of public surveys has not
| yet been extended to Alaska and all entries
| thus far made in that district upon special
| surveys. The act Of congress extending to
Alaska the mining laws Of the United States
contained the reservation that it should not be
| construed to put in force the general land laws
of the country. BY act approved March 3. 1891.
| authority was given for entry Of land for town.
site purposes and also for the purchase OF not
exceeding 100 acres then or thereafter occupied
for purposes of trade and manufacture. The
| purpose OF congress as thus far expressed has
| been that only such rights should apply to the
territory as should be specifically named
| 1t will be seen how much remains to be done
for that vast and remote and yet promising
portion Of our country. Special authority was
given to the president by the act of congress
approved July "a 1897, to divide that territory
into TWO land districts and to designate the
boundaries thereof and to appoint registers
and surveyors Of said land offices; and the
ident was also authorized to appoint surveyor
general for the entire district. Pursuant to
| this authority. a surveyor general and receiver
| have been appointed with offices at Sitka. II
| in the ensuing year the conditions justify it,
| the additional land district authorized by law
will be established. with an office at some point
| in the Yukon valley. No appropriation. how
| ever, was made for this purpose and that is
now necessary to be done for the two land dis
The startling. though possibly exaggerated
| reports from the Yukon river country, Of the
| possible shortage Of food for the large number
| of people who are wintering there without the
| means, of leaving the country are confirmed in
such measure to justify bringing the mat
| ter to the attention of congress- Access to that
| country this winter can be hal only by the
passes from Dyea and vicinity which is most
| difficult and perhaps an impossible task. How
ever, should these reports Of the suffering Of
| our fellow-citizens be further verified. every
| effort at any cost should be made to carry them
| relief
| The Indian Problem.
For a number Of years past it has been ap-
| parent that the conditions under which the five
| civilized tribes were established in the Indian
territory unier treaty provisions with the
| United States, with the right OF self-govern-
ment and the exclusion Of all white persons
from within their borders. have undergone
complete a change to render the continuance
| Of the system thus inaugurated practically i'm
possible The total number OF the five civil Zed
| tribes, shown by the last census is a. 4a4.
| and this number has not materially increased;
| while the white population is estimated at
| from 20O, 900 to 2o0,0O, which by permission OF
the Indian government has settled in the
| territory. The present area Of the Indian
| territory contains 25 69i ,56i acres, much OF
which is very fertile land The United States
citizens residing in the territory, most OF whom
have gone there by invitation with the con-
sent of the tribal authorities have made per-
manent homes for themselves Numerous
| towns have been built in which from 500 to
5000 white people now reside. Valuable resi-
denceS and business houses have been erected
in many OF them Large business enterprises
are carried on in which vast sums Of money are
employed. and yet these people, VINO have in
vested their capital in the development Of the
out title to the land they occupy and have
no voice whatever IN the govern
ment either OF the nations tribes.
Thousands OF their children. who were
born in the territory are Of school age but the
doors OF the school Of the nations are shut
against them and what education they get is
by private contribution No provision for the
protection Of the life or property Of tn ese white
citizens is made by the tribal governments and
courts The secretary OF the interior reports
that leading Indians have absorbed great tracts
of land to the exclusion OF the common people
and government by an Indian aristocracy has
been practically established, 20 the detriment
of the people. 1t has been found impossible
for the United States to keep its citizens out
| OF the territory and the execut DRY conditions
contained in treaties with these nations have
for the most part become impossible OF execu-
tion. Nor has it been possible for the tribal
governments to secure to eacn Individual
Indian his full enjoyment in common with
other Indians of the Common property
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