The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-07
TARIFF TAX IN THE kLONDLkE
Canada said to Ne LevyinE Duties on All
American Goods.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-Informntion hos come
to the Treasury Department that heavy Gus
toms duties are being levied on all goods brought
from tho United States into the Klondike
country. Coupled with the report is the state
ment that q general duty OF Is cents a pound is
assessed on all imported merchandise. But the
Treasury officials are inclined to doubt this.
They think tho rate given is so exor6itant that
the Canadian authorities would not make 1t. In
view. however. OF the high rates fixed for permits
sion to mine claims in the gold fields, some of the
officials are not so sure that the mt is
Incorrect. Steps have been taken TO find out tho
truth Of the reports, and nothing will be done
By this Government until the facts are ascer-
tanned.
The news, while received indirectly, came to
the department from a trustworthy source,
which the officials do not feel at liberty to give.
1t caused some comment there to-day among the
officers most interested. and there was talk Of
methods OF retaliation. One prominent official
said that II the news proved true this Govern
ment would undoubtedly make reprisals of
some sort. He said he believed that action
would be taken at once to counterfeit the effect
OF the alleged policy of the Dominion authori-
ties. He expressed the opinion that measures
OF retaliation would be put in force immedi-
ately. as far MS the power OF the President ex-
tended. and that when Congress convened in
December recommendations for additional re-
%taliation would be made to the legislative
branch.
The Secretary OF the Treasury recently desig-
mated Dyee, a port in Alaska: at the entrance to
one OF the best routes to the klondikc region. as
q SUPPORT Of entry. This gave British vessels
s sns right light to %n 1ebd d soEds an" bT R s1;iisbs cslb there !:
steamer companies. American shipping con-
Germs on the Pacific coast objected, to tho desig-
nation, bit Secretary g Gage Cn, and a. the so President msI (,
The abolition Of Dyea as a sub-por was pointed
out as one of the first things the Government
would do in the way OF retaliation. British vessels
could not land there then, while American vessels
would have permission to unload under the SUI
with each ship. Another and more serious blow
to Canadian commercial interests could be
struck by the withdrawal Of the bonded priv
point to another in the United States through
Canada In scaled cars, aftcr'a bond has been
given that the seals will not DO broken nor the
tive to the Canadian railroads.
Until conirmatory about the re-
ported assessment is received the Treasury De-
partment will not give serious consideration to
the subject. Much interest is expressed con.
corning the matter. however. and the officials
are anxious to learn tho truth.
Efforts to have the War Department establish
an army post ON the Yukon are still being made.
despite the decision of the President to hold the
matter in allowance until next year. 1t is said
that ono OF the main reasons that induced
the President and Secretary Alger to aban-
don the project for this season was fear OF
trouble between the United States troops and
the probable efforts OF the latter, to interfere
with Americans entering the Klondike country.
to be sent to the Yukon this year. and whether
they will be assigned there next summer will
depend largely on the character of the reports
made by Capt. Ray and Lieut.. Robinson. who
whether II is advisable TO establish a permanent
military post near Circle City.