New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-07

There should also De ample prOViSion Wouc io'
powder and projectiles and other munitions OF
war and for Increased number or ofncers and
enlisted men. Some additions are also necessary
% our navy yards for the repair and care Of our
larger number Of vessels. AS there are now on
the stocks FIVE battle-ships OF the largest class
which cannot be completed for a year or two. l
concur with the recommendation OF the Secre-
tary Of the Navy for an appropriation authoriz-
ing the construction Of one battle-ship Tor the
Pacific Coast; for at present there is only one III
commission and one under construction whhe
on the Atlantic Coast there are three In com
' mission and four under construction ana aiso
that several torpedo boats be authorized IN con-
| nec,ion with our general system OF coast de-
| fence.
ALASKA REQUIRES ATTENTION.
The Territory OF Alaska requires the prompt
and early attention OF Congress. The conditions
now existing demand material changes IN tne
laws relating to the Territory. The great lhhuA
OF population during tn. last summer ana rah
and the prospect Of still larger Immigration
| in the spring will not permit us 10 longer
| NEGLECT the extension Of civil authority wtnih
! the Territory. or postpone the es'aohsn"'7"' vi
| more thorough government
| A general system " public surveys has nor
vet been extended to Alaska, and all entries
| thus far made in that district are upon spec'ai
| surveys. The act Of Congress extending 10
| Alaska the mining laws Of the United states
contained the reservation that II should not be
construed to put in force the general lana iaws
~, the country. BY act approved March 8. 1881
authority was given for entry OF lands FOR to"n-
site purposes and also for the purchase OF not
exceeding one hundred and sixty acres then OF
thereafter occupied for purpose OF trade ana
manufacture The purpose Of Congress as thus
for EXPRESSED has been that only such rights
should apply 70 that Territory as should ne
specifically named.
1t will be seen how much remains to Dc ooho
for that vast and remote and yet promising
portion OF our country. Special authority was
given to the President by the act OF congress
approved July "a. 1897 to divide that Ierr"
tory into two land districts. and 10 designate the
boundaries thereof. and to appoint registers ana
surveyors Of said land ofices. and the Presioeh'
wa. also authorized to appoint Survevor-Ien'
eraI for the entire district. Pursuant 10 tn'e
authority a Surveyor General and Receiver
have been appointed, with offices al stka- H.
IN The ensuing year the conditions Justify It,
the additional land district authorized ov ID"
will be established with office at some point
In the Yukon Valley. No appropriation now
ever. was made for this purpose, and that Is
,ricts into which the Territory is TO be divided
concur with the Secretary Of War In MS
suSeestion as to the necessity for military
force in the Territory Of Alaska for the pro-
lection Of persons and property ALREADY
small force consisting Of twenty-five men. WIN
two officers. under command OF Lieutenant
Colonel Randall. OF the Sth Infantry mas pee"
sent to St Michael to establish military post
"a II is to the interest of the Government
70 encourage the development and settlement
Of the country and its duty to follow up us
citizens there with the benefits OF legal ministry.
7 earnestly urge upon Congress the estaonsh-
ment Of system OF government with such
nex,hility as will enable 1t to adjust Itself to
the future areas Of greatest population
RELIEF FOR CHE YUKON COUNTRY.
The startling though possibly exaggerated. re-
ports from the Yukon River country OF the
probable shortage Of food for the large number
Of people who wintering there without the
means Of leaving the country are confirmed N
such measure to Justify bringing the matter
to the attention OF Congress. Access 70 mat
country In winter he had only by the passes
from Dyea and vicinity, which is a most oii-
ficult and perhaps an Impossible task HOW
ever. should these reports OF the suffering OF
our fellow citizens be further verified. every ef-
relief
OBSOLETE CONDITIONS IN INDIAN TERRI
TORY.
For a number OF years past 1t has been appar-
ent that the conditions under which the Five
Civilized Tribes were established In the Indian
Territory under treaty provisions with the
United states. with the right OF selfgovernment
and the exclusion Of all white persons from
within their borders. have undergone so complete
a change as TO render the continuance OF the
system thns inaugurated practically impossible.
The total number Of the Five Civilized Tribes as
shown by the last census Is 45.404. and this
number has not materially increased: while the
white population is estimated at from two hun
dred thousand to two hundred and fifty thou
sand which by permission OF the Indian gov
eminent has settled In the Territory The pres
ent area OF the Indian Territory contains 25.-
694 564 acres much Of which Is very fertile land.
The United States citizens residing in the Terri
tory. most OF whom have gone there by invita-
ton or with the consent Of the tribal authorities
have made permanent homes for themselves.
Numerous towns have been built. in which from
i've hundred to fve thousand white people now
reside Valuable residences and business houses
have been erected In many OF them. Large
business enterprises are carried on. In which
vast sums or money are employed; ana yet tneee
people who have invested their capital In the
development Of the productive resources OF the
country are without title to the land they occupy
and have no voice whatever In the government,
either Of the nations tribes. Thousands Of
their children who were born In the Territory
are Of school age; but the doors OF the schools
OF the nations are sn1t against them. and what
education they get 10 by private contribution.
No provision for the protection OF the life or
property Of these white citizens is made by tho
tribal governments and courts
The Secretary Of the Interior reports that lead
ing Indians have absorbed great tracts Of land
to the excluso, Of the common people. and gov
eminent by an Indian aristocracy has been