Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-16
WIRE TO KLONDIKE
Proposals Made by the Canadian
Government.
PERMANENT WAY 10 TEE GOLDFIELDS
Conveying Mails and Messages to
the interior.
EPORTS OF OFFICIALS

The Canadian government has submitted
formal proposals to this government to es-
tablish communication with the Klondike
region In Alaska by the construction of a
telegraph line from the head Of winter
navigation on the Lynn canal into the
center of the Klondike district.
The proposals have been taken under
advisement. They have been approved by
the British principal secretary OF state for
foreign affairs and were forwarded by the
encouragement OF Canada, through the
British embassy. to the State Department
and referred to the Interior Department.
The papers are locked up pending consid-
Grafton.
The proposals, while reserving the right
OF either country pending the settlement
OF the international boundary line between
the United States and Canada, south of
Mount st. Elias. urge the expediency of
establishing a permanent route giving ac-
cess TO the interior at all seasons of tho
year. The most feasible route. In the judg-
ment OF the Canadian authorities, would be
TO start from the head of winter naviga-
ton on the Lynn canal (the body of water
running from near Juneau mp beyond Dyea
and Chilcat. forming part of the present
overland route), crossing the mountains by
White pass or by any other pass which
may seem more accessible, AID proceed
northward to Fort Selkirk and thence to
kIondike.
readiness to undertake to open communica-
ton by constructing a telegraph line from
the head of winter navigation on the Lynn
canal, traversing distance of eighty
miles across the summit of the mountain
range to a convenient point northeast of
the mountain range, from which trail
can be followed to Fort Selkirk and to
klondike. The government also signifies its
intention. in case the propositions are
adopted. to erect suitable places for shelter
at periods from forty to fifty miles elong
the line and keep up dog trains during the
months of winter for the conveyance Of the
mails to and from the interior.
Canadian Reports Condemned.
The minister of interior of Canada has
sent Secretary Gage an official report on
the Yukon mining district. The report is
condensation of the reports of various
Canadian officials. and a map Of the Yukon
country is presented. Among other things,
the minister says:
1.-The object is not to induce any one to
go to that remote country at the present
time. Until better means of communica-
ton are established a man undertakes
serious risks in going there, unless he has
sufficient resources to tide over the long
winter. After September egress from the
country is practically impossible until the
following June, and person who has not
been successful in locating a paying claim
has to depend for his subsistence upon
finding employment. Wages are at times
abnormaliy high. but the labor market Is
very narrow and easily overstccked.
1T Is estimated that up to the middle OF
May 1900 to LOGO persons had crossed the
Dyea pass this year. Several hundred
more will go by steamers up the Yukon.
Whether employment will be available for
all and for the considerable population
already in the district is somewhat doubt
full. 1t will therefore be wise for those
who contemplate going to the Yukon dis
trict to give serious consideration to the
matter before coming to decision"
The Climate.
An extract from the report of A. E.
Wills, assistant surgeon, for 1895 is given
to indicate the climate of the Klondike,
characteristics of the inhabitants and the
mode OF living. He also describes the kind
of men that should go to the Klondike.
He says;
Men should be sober. strong and
healthy. They should be practical men,
able to adapt themselves quickly to their
t. see that their lungs are sound, that
they are free from rheumatism and rheu-
matte tendency, and their joints. especially
knee joints, are strong and have never
been weakened by injury or disease. 1t Is
important to consider their temperaments.
Men should be of cheerful, hopeful DISPOSE
tons and willing workers. Those of sui
len, morose natures. although they may be
good workers, are very apt, as soon as the
come dissatisfied. pessimistic and mel