The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-01
RELIEF FOR KLONDIKERS.
THE GOVERNMENT ARRANGING TO
SEND sUPPLIES.

In Response 70 an Appeal from the Portland,
Or, Chamber OF Commerce the Cabinet De-
cides 10 Act at Once-Reindeer from Lap
lane 70 ne Used with Those Now In Alaska.
WARRINGTON. Nov. 3o.-It was decided def.
nitely at the meeting Of the Cabinet to-day that
tho Government, without delay. would begin
arrangements for relieving the distress among
the starving miners in tho Klondike country,
and Secretary Algor, to whom the preparation
OF n plan was intrusted. is giving consideration
to q number of suggestions with n Wow to max
ing n success of the undertaking..
In addition to tho disquieting reports and
the statements in the newspapers about the
distress prevailing, the President received a tel.
egram from the Chamber Of Commerce of Port
land. Or, confirming tho stories of privation
and requesting Federal aid In relieving 1t. Tho
President laid tho despatch before the Cabinet.
Secretary Alger has several relief plans in
contemplation, but that likely to be adopted, II
Congress appropriates the amount of money
necessary to carry II out, contomplates an over.
land expedition from Juneau or Dyoa, to start
when tho snow hardens in February or March.
the success Of tho plan. and W. T. Kjollmann,
Assistant Superintendent of the Government
reindeer stations, started from WASHINGTON to.
day for Lnpland to secure deer broken to har-
ness and a number OF lap drivers. Just how
MANY deer and drivers will be needed has not
been determined, but the decision of the Gov
eminent officials on that point will be tcle-
graphed to Kjellmann after his arrival in
Nothing can be done to secure Congressional
aid, however,, until n report has been received
from Capt. p. H, Ray the army officer who has
the Yukon. Tho report is expected by the end
Of the week. Just how much money is needed
Capt. Ray viii give some information that will
assist the Government in determining how
At the Cabinet meeting Secretary Bliss pro.
scented n map of Alaska intended to show tho
reporter this afternoon Mr.. Bliss said:
1t seems that there is no other way to relieve
tho sufferings of these men than by making use
of the reindeer which we have in Alaska. The
trouble with the dog teams is that the dogs can
draw little more than enough food to keep them
therefore of little use. The reindeer can live on
heavier loads than tho dogs. We have about
two numbered reindeer, at a station some dis
utilize for the relief of the miners who are in the
neighborhood Of Circle City, and also those who
Yukon. I There are a humber of boats caught ap in
the ice. some going up and some coming down.
proclamation issued by the Interior Department
as to the dangers of making an attempt to enter
the country, in the late summer, thousands of
men started for Dawson City. and, as they are
in there. the only thing to do is to relieve
them. We cannot let them starve Il we
S dome f By arm IT. of / snnp as It the Mas " IN th will time os
hAA'S
of the Mississippi floods. We expect to take
provisions from st. Michaelto the reindeer sta
ton above there. and then send out 200 reindeer,
cutting across country to the Yukon. BY this ar
rangement we will save about $50 miles. The
train will follow the course OF the Yukon to
Circle City. / think it will not go to Dawson
City, as that is in British territory.
AFTER supplying the boats along the river
and the people ut Circle City the train will re.
turn down the Yukon. and as many men as pos
sible who are on the boats and wish to return
will be brought to st. Michael, where there Is
plenty of food. We hope to make arrange.
ments to procure another herd which will start
from Juneau. This herd will be sent either
through the mountain passes by way of Dawson
City to Circle City. or will skirt the coast and
then cut through to Circle City without passing
through British territory.
NJ kiellman, the superintendent of the
reindeer stations. called on me yesterday, and
he will have authority to gather the reindeer
for tho Juneau herd. We anticipate that many
thousands of miners and others will attempt to
enter the country when the season opens. We
have been informed that 10000 men have
taken passage from Australia. At this rate
the difficulties noxt year will be even greater
than this year, and we must take tho
necessary measures of precaution. / have no
doubt that Congrosa at the coming session will
provide for q suitable Government for this Ter
ritory, which at present has practically no Gov
eminent at all. Most of the work will fall on
the Interior Department, so ! am greatly inter
ested in 1t. l presume that Congress will also
take some measures looking toward the relief
of those In the gold fields who may need it."