The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-26
MILITARY RULE ron ALASKA.
Capt. Rays rian for the Northern Fart or the
Territory.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.-Capt. p. II. Ray OF
the Eighth Infantry, who was sent to Alaska
by secretary Aigcr to select a site for an army
post on tho Yukon River adjacent to the klon'
dike country, has suggested to tho War De-
partmcht that the northern part OF Alaska re-
cclNc Il scini'inilitary government with army
officers in tho principal offices.
Up to tho present time" says Capt. Ray In n
report received to-day, the laws in this coun'
Try have not been enforced, nor does there exist
any means Of enforcing them. All questions in
dispute, criminal or civil, including the rights
OF property, have been and arc now settled by
miners meetings, which practice has proved
satisfactory under the old conditions of simple
disputes between honest men, but is i'll suited to
present conditions and those which will arise
and must be met within twelve months. ] do
not believe it would be possible to obtain civil
officers who will remain in one place long
enough to be Of any service, and the performance
OF their duties will he second to their interest IN
mines and where discoveries are being made on
both sides of the border. The civil government Is
liable TO migrate to a foreign soil at any time u
new discovery is made there.
Il respectfully suggest that the Territory be
separated. and the northern portion be given, u
provisional form Of government of II semi mn
tary character: that the Governor and ,Sccrc.
President, with an enlisted police force twenty
strong, sufficiently we'll paid to secure reliable
IlCn' mat officers OF Inc army ne uctollcu us II
spcrtors and sub-inspectors with powers Of u
magistrates; that vt least two district Judges
be appointed and a superior Court be estab-
lishcd at the capital of the Territory. and non
commissioned officers and %Drivatcs of the rcgu'
lar force he made eligible for detail on the police
force in cases VI emergency, and when 80 sery-
ing receive additional pay; that the office tciviD
OF Commissioner of Mines be established with
power to settle all disputes arising as to prop
Crty and rights of miners in. placer diggings.
and that his duties and jurisdiction be defined
ly law; that Congress shall enact all laws for
the government OF the Territory, as is now
done for the District of Columbia.
This government should remain in force
only until such time as the condition of affairs
shall become moro settled and the Territory has
sufficient population to justify full civil form
of government
Capt. Ray says that on Sept. 10 information
reached him that the supplies at Dawson City
were very low, and nothing has been delivered
there since Aug. lS.cNccpt II bargcload of liquor.
and no more boats were able to get up the
Yukon. The site selected for the army post by
Capt. Ray is on the north bank of the Yukon
River, opposite and n mile below the mouth of
the Tananah. II is at the confluence OF two great
nnvig0hlC rivers, and with the development of
the territory, he says, must become its greatest
commercial centre. Capt. Ray posted n notice
rcsCrving ten square miles about the site. \
telegram dated MT st. Michael on Oct. . was re-
CciVed to-day from Lieut.. Col. Randall, who
was assigned to the command OF the military
reservation on St. Michael Island. He reported
his arrival on Oct. \ with the company Of SOL
diers sent to garrison Fort st. Michael.