The herald., 1897-08-19
With News of the Miners
Progress
CANADA WILL COLLECT DUTY
AND WILL USE SHoTGUNs IF IT
is NECESSARY
The Miners Are Grumbling and Un-
pleasant Complications Are Not
at All Unlikely
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SEATTLE, Aug. 1S.-The steamship
Al-Ki, which arrived in port this morn
ing from Skaguay and Dyea brought the
| following letter for the Associated Press:
SKAGUAY. near Dyea, Alaska, Aug.
4.-Twelve Canadian customs officers
have arrived here and in few days will
establish a custom house at the portage
between Lake Bennett and Tagish lake,
point by which all Yukon or Klondyke
travellers must pass if they start from
Dyea or Skaguay The rates of duty Will
average about $50 on the average outfit
of a Yukoner. The officers are well
armed, and will have the assistance of
the mounted police to enforce the collec-
ton of duties. Further down the river
will be stationed guards to inter-
cept any one who might evade the Wig
ilance Of the officers.
American officers who have investi-
gated the subject, assert that the treaty
between Russia and Great Britain pro-
vides that the Yukon, Porcupine and
Skeena rivers shall be free for CONNER
cial purposes and exempted from impo-
sition of customs duties. The Canadians
evade the point at issue by claiming that
prospectors crossing the mountain
ranges to the lakes or headwaters OF the
Yukon do not go into the territory by
way Of any of the rivers mentioned but
they cross American territory and be-
fore they can reach the Yukon the duty
is exacted. Miners and prospectors are
much exercised over the situation, and
the low grumbling heard on every side
may lead to complications. Canadian
officers in very firm and positive tones
declare that they viii enforce the law
impartially, and will not discriminate
against Americans. though they inci-
dentaliy claim that a year or two ago
Canadian miners were driven out of the
mines at Circle City because they were
not naturalized citizens.
1t is useless to argue that there is not
serious feeling between the two peoples;
| whether it is justifiable or not do not
pretend to say until shall have reached
the Klondyke and the mining camps Of
the Yukon river and thoroughly inves-
| tigated the subject.
The Canadian officers are taking with
them full years supplies, and with the
assistance of the mounted police pro-
pose to maintain an official mail service,
for official purposes only, between Klon-
dyke and Ottawa. At present there are
fully 500 head of horses here, and about
700 due to arrive in the next ten days.
The distance to the lakes is about forty
miles, and the highest altitude to be
crossed is 3100 feet. Horses can make
two round trips week, each pack aver
aging about $50 pounds One company
here is shipping into the Klondyke a
0nr LOT oF ~; 6.
sawmill. The Skaguay trail to the
lake is just opened, and it is said to be
in good travelling condition.
MINERS GETTING THROUGH
VICTORIA, B. c., August 1s.-The
steamer Queen arrived late last night
from Alaska. According to Purser Car
roll very few of the 1900 men now camp
ed at Skaguay and Dyea will get over
the pass this winter. Men started to
build a new trail. but found that it would
take 300 men three weeks and aban-
doned the idea. Probably 300 men will
get across in time to start down the
Yukon.
A committee of twenty five has been
appointed to keep order at Skaguay, ].
Mckinley of Seattle being elected chair
man and w. j. Sapparatus of New York
secretary Everything is orderly and
the men are in good health. On August
7th high tide drove many of the camp
ers back from the beach. There is a good
road five miles from the bay and goods
can be hauled by wagon that distance.
After that the trail is bad Men are To-
eating lots in Skaguay, one being sold
for $500. Most Of the men are preparing
to winter at Skaguay.
| papkar from, portIopd Ioet o;-lx.-.
horses and packs, they falling down q
cliff seventy feet, the packer narrowly
escaping.
The report that the steamer Danube
from this port was seized at Dyea ia
denied by the officers of the Queen.
Men who arrived from the north on
the Queen state that although the Chill
coot trail is the best one the miners are
centering at Skaguay Goods can be
hauled over large par of the Chilcoot
trail in wagons and most of the rest Of
| the way on pack horses. About two
miles over the summit men have to car
ry their goods. The White pass trail is
very bad and horses are being killed
daily. About two miles of the trail is
corduroyed, but still a large portion of
| it is boggy. A few men are getting
| through but very slowly, horses being
scarce compared with the number OF
men here.
Louis Casey, lumberman experienced
in bush lore, says there are 1000 men at
Skaguay bay not properly outfitted, and
if they get over the pass will suffer
many hardships on the way down the
river. Letters have been received to the
effect that the White pass trail is in
very bad condition, and as the Chilcoot
is not passable to pack animals, very
little of the 1000 tons of freight now at
Skaguay can be moved before spring.
Major Walsh, administrator Of the
Yukon district, leaves Victoria by the
government steamer Quadra on Septem-
ber Goth. Registrar Aylmer and Justice
Mcclure and others accompany him.
They go by the Quadra to Dyea. BY