The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-01
RELIEF FOR THE kLOND|kE.
PRESIDENT AND CABINET DISCUSS
THE NATTER.
Nothing Can he Done Until Congress
Meets. when an Appropriation
VIII BE Asked 10 Provide for
Transporting Provisions North.

/ today considered the subject of sending re-
lief 10 the peor4e OF Klondike. The presa-
| dent received a telegram from the Port
land. Or. Chamber of Commerce stating
there was danger Of restitution and suffer
ing In the Klondike. and offering 20 supply
the necessary food for relief II the govern
r1enr would undertake transportation. The
information was not definite as TO actual
conditions but was on the same lines as
has been teiegraphed from the Northwest
The cabinet considered every phase os the
situation II was decided that nothing
could be done until congress meets. when
an appropriation will be asked for the pur-
pose OF transporting food supplies.
Although many plans have been dis
cussed none have been acted upon. II Is
possible however. that whatever action is
taken will be under the direction OF the
war department. and by the time congress
acts Secretary Aiger will have formulated
plans. No attempt viii be made to go up
the Yukon. as the ice has closed progress
In that direction. Relief supplies viii have
10 be sent over the passes. Just how they
shall be transported Is a question requir-
ing earnest consideration. and one that
will require the study of the many plans
in order that an entirely feasible one may
be evolved Secretary Alger will gather
all possible information. and will commu-
nicate with persons who know the route to
the Klondike and are familiar with trans
portation methods in the Arctic and other
frozen regions. Reindeer ana dogs pos
sibly may be used.
The members of the cabinet are all in
tensely interested in the matter of seeur-
ing relief Whether the men who are sup
posed to be suffering went there or not
against repeated warnings of all officials
IS beyond question. the simple fact that
they are there and in need OF relief making
sr,ra n Y
tend aid II possible.
No estimate has been made as to the cost
and none can be prepared now. Congress
will be asked 10 appropriate sufficient
amount, and the war department will ex-
pend IL in the most economical way. The
task of getting supplies TO the Klondike In
midwintsr is not underestimate. and
doubts are entertained as TO its being pos
sible. An expedition cannot reach the /
Klondike before February at least, and the
president hopes there is sufficient supply
to last until relief arrives.
Secretary Ager believes Capt. Ray has
gone to Dawson and he win make his way
back and report upon the conditions there.
Nothing has been heard from him since he
left Fort Yukon, but Secretary Aiger ex-
poets word from him almost any time.
1t is probable the president will send
special message to congress asking an ap-
preparation for the relief of the people In
the Kiondike.
Secretary Alger sent the following reply
to the Portland Chamber OF Commerce:
1.-THE president directs me to acknewI-
edge the receipt Of your telegram of the
and that he fully sympathizes with the ex-
pressions contained In your dispatch. and
hopes that such means as shall be neces-
sary 10 afford the relief contemplated will
be furnished at the earliest possible day"
Commissioner Smiths telegrap hic report
showed that no horses had gone beyond the
American jurisdiction at the lakes The
thousand head of sheep that started over
the Dyea trail in July, he wired. undoubt-
edly got through. There were 1900 head of
sheep shipped from the lakes down the
Yukon on RATS in September. Two hun
dred beef cattle started to the lakes over
the Dyea and Skaguay trails. or these.
Commissioner Smith reports the last sew
enty are now butchered and frozen at the
lakes awaiting transportation to Dawson.
The telegram cautions the department
against placing too much faith In the re-
ports from Dyea.
Other advices received today report that
a herd of reindeer with supplies had been
started from a point on the lower Yukon
about $50 miles from st. Michael the herd
reaching the place by cutting across land
from point opposite on the coast. These
reindeer are carrying supplies up. and a
number OF people anxious to get down
from the Klon..-.e country will be brought
back by this means The herd win be used
through the winter as far as possible.
William A. Kjellman superintendent OF
the government reindeer herds In Alaska,
has been here several days comforting
with the authorities. and left here tonight
en- route TO Lapland. He goes under In
structions to engage a corps Of Laps for
service for the reindeer in Alaska. Mr..
kjellman is an expert handler of reindeer.
and his record In taking care OF their
government In our country since he came
here for that purpose from Lapiand makes
him an authority this phase of tho
Alaskan problem II Is ordinarily difficult
for stranger to secure Laps to leave for
q Foreign cline FOR such a purpose but In
view Of his influence among his people
Secretary Bliss expects Mr.. Kjeilman's
mission will be successful
Secretary Alger has written 10 the citf-
zens' klondike committee of Washington
regarding the order for military reser-
walton in Alaska. This committee wanted
10 KNOW now persons seeking business To-
cations on the reservations should proceed
and expressed doubts as to the Feasibility
oil the reservation Mr.. Alger refers the
committee TO regulations issued Noyem-
Der IL. and adds:
''One OF the purposes of the gover,u.,,
IN declaring the reservations is TO rreyenr
monopoly. instead OF fostering IL that ths
.egulatiohs apply TO persons and corpora
IONS aifeaaN on The grounds as we'll as
those VINO propose going there; that no one
Is 10 De permitted 10 OCCUPY NOR. Ia nd Ar
water front than IS essential to the Drooar
conduct OF a bona fde business ard that
t1ui'dbe measures are provided for the
f0rthering of legitimate business enter
prises. and the encouragement of schemes
Tor the speculative holding of the lands
exc not actually needed or used provision
s ee."s nlade IN the regulations referred 20
Tor settling disdgreenents between holders
az permits after careful hearing NV the
commanding officer OF Fort St Michael
me power of permanently regulating
the disposition and use OF the pubic do
main in Alaska Is vested In congress and
penang legislation. the occupation az rhe
locations Dy troops ia that country and the
setting aside OF military reservations as
an incident to such occupation are SAFELY
IN the interests OF Law and order and rbs
safety and welfare Of the native ard in
coming population"