The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-27
No Perfection to Life and Property at
Present In The Territory
MILITARY POST TO Be ESTABLISHED.
Commercial Interests nt the Rottorn
of the Mosemcnt-Exnct Location
ofthe Post Not Yet Decided Upon
Offer orTransportntionb by a. ship.
ping Company.
Washington, D. c., July 2S, 1897

The Secretary OF War is considering
proposition that has been made
10 him to establish military
post in Alaska. At present tho
government has no troops in that vast
territory, and in view of The heavy i'm
itiSfation now going on. and the posi-
Die danger to life and property from
lawless characters, he has been urged IA
create an Alaskan military post. The
commercial interests Of the territory are
AT the bottom of the movement and
nave requested that a company of infan-
Try and Satllng gun brigade be located
at post TO be christened Fort Algcr."
near the boundary line about 2hO miles
west OF the klondike. and 2.200 miles
above the mouth of the Yukon river.
This body of tioops Is asked for to sup
port the civil authorities In the adminis-
tration of law and for the protection Of
vested rights. 1t Was suggested that the
troops be marched over the Dyel over
land route to the post. which will he
erected for the governments use IL de-
sired, but this will be Impossible in view
OF the fact that the British law, like our
own, would not permit the passage OF
foreign troops over British territory
without special permission. Therefore.
the troops will be carried up the Yuk on
in steamer, If the government con-
.
some doubt of the power of the President
to establish a pos; as proposed without
congressional authorization. and tha.
aspect Of the question has been brought
TO the attention OF the Attorney Cen
er1l for an opinion. An early decision
must be reached IL the troops are TO he
sent to the new post this season. Mean
while volunteers for service In Alaska
are already coming forward. This morn
fY,r
from Captain w. II. Ahercrombie, of the
Second Infantry, dated at Fort Harri-
son. Montana rendering his service with
sixty picked men of his regiment for
duty In Alaska, and expressing O. desire
to report personally to Secretary Alger.
The President and Secretary Alcer
have decided to detail an army officer
and company OF soldiers from the
regular army for service in Alaska
The matter Is yet in very Indefinite
shape, but details will be arranged as
soon as possible in order that the SOL
dicrs may get into the vicinity Of the
gold country before navigation closes
on the Yukon river. They will be sent
10 their destination via the Yukon river
route. and the offer OF one Of the shin
ping companies on the Pacific coast to
transport the men and their baggage
and stores probably Will he accented.
The exact location OF the camp or post
mas not yet been determined on, but it
Is expected TO be at Circle City. An
army officer now in the field and who
mas had experience In such matters has
been invited TO take charge of the COM
pany and an answer is expected from
him soon. The detail OF the men who
Will go will he made from one of the
posts in the West, but which one is not
yet finally settled on. The officials are
anxious to locate the soldiers in the
gold country as soon as possible, and &c
!, can ne arranSed they will be sent on
the steamer sailing early In August