Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06

commission and four under construction
and also that several torpedo boats be au-
thorized in connection with our general
system of coast defense
ATTENTION TO alaska,
The Territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of Congress-
The conditions now existing demand ma
terlal changes in the laws relating to the
territory. The great influx Of population
curing the past summer and fall and the
prospect OF a still larger immigrant ton in the
spring will not permit us to longer neglect
the extension of civil authority within the
territory or postpone the establishment of
a more thorough government.
A general system of public surveys has
not yet been extended to Alaska and all
entries thus far made in that district are
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 lands for TOWNSHIP
purposes AID also for the purchase of not
exceeding one hundred and sixty 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 that
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, 1887,
10 divide that Territory into two land dis
tricts and to designate the boundaries
nd To
Veyors of said land offices, and the Presi-
dent was also authorized to appoint a sur
veyor-general for the entire district Pur-
suant to this authority. a surveyor-general
and receiver have been appointed, with
offices at Sitka. If in the ensuing year the
conditions justify it. the additional land
district authorized by law will be estab-
lfsned. with Office at some point in the
Yukon Valley. No appropria ton, however,
was made for this purpose and that is now
necessary to be done for the two land dis
tricts into which the Territory is to be
divided
concur with the Secretary of War in
lis suggestions as to the necessity for
military force in the Territory of Alaska
Tor the protection of persons and property
Already small force, consisting Of twen-
ty-five men. with two officers, under COM
mand Of Lieutenant-Colonel Randall of
the Eighth Infantry, has been sent to St.
Michael TO establish military post.
AS it Is to the interest of the Government
to encourage the development and settle
rent of the country and its duty to follow
up its citizens there with the benefits of
legal machinery, I earnestly urge upon
Congress the establishment of a system of
government with such fexibility as will
enable 1t to adjust itself to the future areas
Of greatest population.
The startling though possibly exaggerated
reports from the Yukon River country of
the probable 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 as to justify
bringing the matter to the attention of
Congress. Access to that country In winter
can be had only by the passes from Dyea
and vicinity, which Is q most difficult and
perhaps an impossible task. However,
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 NATIONS WARDS.
For number OF years past 1t has been
apparent that the conditions under which
the Five Civiiized Tribes were established
in the Indian Territory under treaty pro-
visions with the United States, with the
right Of self-government and the exclusion
OF all white persons from within their bor-