The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-19
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE, TUESDAY. OCT. 10.
sEaTTLE.s DUTY.

The Seattle Chamber OF Commerce
hould, In view of the serious condi-
tions at Dawson, pass over the Official
indifference with which It's former APP
peal was treated, and urge upon the
government immediate action.
II Is utterly impossible for any food
10 get mp to Dawson City by way of ST.
Michael and the Yukon. This was the
opinion expressed several weeks ago.
but powerful commercial interests
which seak TO make the Lower Yukon
the avenue to the great wealth of the
Klondike. silenced the clamor by as
suring the secretary of war that pro-
visions could be sent 10 Dawson City
in time to prevent famine. Now it is
admitted that this cannot be done. The
only way to reach Dawson City Is by
way OF Chilkoot pass, so far as is
known. Those who have been over the
three trails ali agree that the Dalton
trail Is niarshy. the Skaguay trail Is
practically impossible for freight. aud
that the chilkoot pass offers one diff
Guilty which can be very readily over
come. A citizen of Seattle. whose judg-
ment cannot be doubted nor his truth
fuiness impeached. testifies that after
Intellectually "bucking7 at White pass
for nearly twenty days. he shifted 10
Dyea, and went over the famous Chill
koot pass In little more than as many
hours. Although a delicate man. and
compelled 10 return TO juneau on ac-
count of his health. he packed from
seyenty-fve TO hundred pounds each
way over that trail.
II should be urged upon the govern
ment once more that the prospectors
and miners are not in need OF charity.
What they need Is that the strong arm
OF the government shall be reached
out and extend TO them an organized
effort TO get that food TO them which
they had calculated upon receiving by
way OF the Yukon. II Is no temporary
arrangement that will suffice: speed
may require that the first means shall
be OF temporary nature. but the Up
per Yukon must remain the chief high
way by which the Klondike is to be
reached.
Even at the rate that boats are be-
Ing built for ST. Michael. the trans
portation companies could not take
up the river IN seasonable time enough
for more than 10000 people. The indi-
cations are that within a few months
after the opening Of next spring there
will be 10000 people In Northeast
Alaska and the Northwest territory.
citizens of the United States chiefly.
aud all relying upon Seattle as the
bare OF supplies There Is a traffic
ahead Of us which viii Justify the gov
eminent in going 70 the aid OF those
who are now hemnied In and opening
up the road for those who intend trying
their fortune In the newly discovered
Districts.
For q time, apprehension was ST.
fenced, The assurance that the beats
would be able 10 set up the Yukon
checked the purpose OF the govern
mont. The failure OF those boats. re-
wives all the fears that have been en-
tertained. aud It f. evident that the
officials Of tho transportation company
are becoming alarmed themselves and
are sending warnings Go the unforta.
mates who arc waiting on the banks
for provisions which should have
reached them long aKo.
Starvation may not he Imminent. :,
may be two or three months before
the pinch OF hunger Is telt. bat thar Is
not tco long a tine for the work which
must he done before food can be taken
from th.s end Of the pass. across the
divide. aud down the freezing waters
Il this matter is neglected a terrlhls
result VIII ensue. those people are helm
less. and /, IS the imperative avtv ~
the city which has benefited most b.
the expedition and viii beneat most hv
their success 10 - to the ala % tha
practically Imprisoned men.