, 1897-12-01
TO AID kLOND|KERS,
THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET
TAKE THE MATTER UN-
DER ADJUSTMENT.
No Matter Whether the Adventures
Have Been Discreet or Not, IS Long
as They Are In Danger Uncle Sam
Will Help Them-A Report From

VIM ~ ~ abiaA'
today considered the subject of send
ing relief to the people in the Klondike.
President Mckinley received a telegram
from the Portland, Ore, chamber of
commerce. stating that there vas dan
ger of restitution and suffering in the
KlOndike, and offering to supply the
necessary food for relief, if the govern
ment would undertake the transporta-
ton.
The information was not definite as
to the actual conditions, but was on the
same lines that had been telegraphed
from the northwest The cabinet con-
sidered every phase of the situation,
and discussed ways and means of af-
fording relief.
1t was decided that nothing could be
done until congress meets. when an ap-
preparation will be asked for the pur-
pose of transporting food supplies. AL
though many plans have been discussed
none have been decided upon. 1t is
probable, however, that whatever ac-
ton is taken will be under the direc-
ton of the war department, and by the
time congress meets Secretary Alger
will have formulated plans. No attempt
will be made to GO up the Yukon, as the
ice has closed progress In that direc-
ton. The relief supplies will have to
be sent over the passes
Just how they shall be transported is
a question requiring earnest considera-
ton, and one that will require the study
Of many plans in order that an entirely
feasible one may be evolved Secretary
Alger will gather all possible informa,
ton, and will communicate with per.
sons who know the route to the klon,
dixie, and are familiar with the trans
%portation methods in the Arctic and
other frozen regions Reindeer and
dogs possibly may be used, and there
is also a suggestion that the steam
snow shovel, which has been success
fully used In deep snow OF the logging
camps. may be utilized. Secretary AL
ger has confidence in it as a means of
transportation.
intensely interested in the matter of
securing relief. Whether the men who
are supposed to be suffering went there
or not against the warnings Of all Of
ficials is beyond the question, the sim
pie fact being that they are there, and
need relief. making it imperative upon
the government to extend aid If pos
sible.
No estimate has been made as to the
cost. and none can be prepared now.
Congress will be asked to appropriate
a sufficient amount and the war de-
partment will expend it In the most
economical manner, as in the case OF
the Mississippi flood sufferers, when
5000. 900 were appropriated and only
SIS. 200 expended.
The task of getting supplies to Klon-
dixie in midwinter is o underesti-
mated, and doubts are entertained as
to its being a possibility. Dyea can be
reached by steamer. Thence the jour-
ney is one of 700 miles wei mountains,
through deep drifts of soft, loose snow.
The sun shines for only about five
hours in each "a, and. the thermometer
often goes down to so or GO degrees
below zero. 1t is believed an expedi-
ton cannot reach the Klondike before
February at the earliest, and the hope
is expressed that there is a sufficient
supply of food to last until then. 1t is
estimated there are 5000 people in the
gold country
A report recently stated that $50, 900
head of horses and cattle went to the
Klondike from Dyea. a short time ago.,
but Commissioner Smith at Dyea has
wired the government that such is not
the fact He says 1000 sheep started
over the Dyea trail. and that it is be-
lieved they reached the mines. Some
time ago 300 sheep were sent down to