The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-31
SkAGUAY ROUTE THE BEST.
The Difficulty in Reaching the Kiondyke
Has Been Exaggerated.

ihe Dlmehily IN heaching the kiondyke
Has Been Exaggerated.
Washington, Dec. 30-Secretary AL
| ger has received two reports from
| Captain Robinson, the contract quar-
| terfnaster at Seattle, touching the re-
| spectiye merits of the different trails
from the seaboard into the Klondyke
country. He made a thorough inquiry
at the direction Of the secretary, and
in substance his conclusions reached
after conference with Jack Dalton
and other experts, is that the Dalton
trail is not we'll adapted to the use OF
the governments expeditions during
the winter, but that the Skaguay route
is probably the best
The captain says he has had an in
terNieW with one man who claims to
have 10000 pounds of beef stored at
Lake Bennett, which he is willing to
sell at 81 a pound. me same man
says he has 10000 pounds of corn and
20 or 80 horses at the same place, with
which he proposes to organize a sled
train into Dawson. Captain Robinson
himself said that the difficulty of
reaching Dawson has been very much
I exaggerated, and that a good army
officer could make his way with an
expedition. He thinks horses should
Ssbe used
Washington. Dec. S0.-Mr. Sifton,
Canadian minister of the interior, called
al the war department by appointment
to-day, and had long conference with
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn. who is
giving his attention TO the klondyixe
relief expeditions during the illness OF
Secretary Alger. Having secured the
consent of the British government 10
the passage of United States troops to
he used as guards. over Canadian terri
tory, what remains To be done is to ar
range for the admission of supplies to
be taken to the miners without pay
ment Of duties, provided they are not
soid for more than their actual cost. 1t
is expected the matter can be shortly
arranged and Sifton viii be able to
leave Washington this afternoon on his
return to Canada.
The arrangements effected by Mr..
Sifton in behalf of Canada and the war
department contemplate that the relief
expedition shall be executed jointly by
the United States army and a force Of
mounted police of Canada, which con-
stitutes the military arm of the domin-
ion. The United States force will pro-
coed with relief stores to Skaguay,
where they will be Joined by Canadian
mounted police. about 40 In number.
and the two forces viii then proceed
together To the points where relief Is To
be distributed. No duties will be i'm
posed ON stores carried by the relief ex-
petition.
Sifton also held a conference with
/ Secretary Gage and discussed the un-
satisfactory condition Of customs regu-
lations along the border and at coast
ports, where goods are received by one
country for transportation to the other
country. 1t was the mutual feeling
that an Improvement OF the system
could be made, and negotiations are in
progress which are hoped to effect
changes TO both sides. Sft0n left for
Ottawa at o'clock p. m.
Washington, Dec. 30.-The senate and
house committees on public land and on
territories are at work on legislation for
Alaska, preparing the way for action
by the two houses. The matter has
been talked over in committees and
there will be some decisive action
shortly after the holiday recess. The
chief problem Is 10 provide for better
government. Secretary Bliss recon-
mended IN his annual report that Alas
ka he made a regular organized terri
tory, The sentiment Of the committee
on territories is that The time is not yet
ripe, that the population, practically de-
pendent on Inc rich mining strikes, Is a
rowing one, and that even towns hay
ing a large population to-day may be
abandoned tomorrow IL lis probable
there will be some enlargement Of the
present system, as preferable to a gen.
| eral system of local legislation anu ter
riturial organization.
Mr.. Sifton says that the only prae-
tieable route To Dawson city is Mhat
Is known as the White pass. or COM
monty called the lake route, commence
ing at Shasnay on Lynn canal He
states thai they have s. men IN the
territory and expect To have 30 more
III Skaguay on on before Jan. >. They
have 20 tons Of supplies nov stored ut
Skaguay for transportation over the
pass to which viii be added 10 tons
more within the next 10 days for trans
portation over the pass. The Canadian
authorities have post NJ Lake Ben