The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-01
TO SEIZE THE KLoNDIKEq
Startling Elan or Two Americans for . Raid
Into the Geld Region.


JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 21.-In the same mail in
which this letter goes there will go to Attorney.
General McKenna at Washington o warning OF o
wildcat flibustering scheme which for daring
can be likened only to Jameson's raid on the
Transvaal. It is nothing less Than o plan to
seize Dawson City in the name of the United
States and open up the reserved claims for i'm
mediate operation. Tho story comes here from
United States Commissioner ]. N. Smith at
Dyea, and it has general belief at that place.
The United States Marshal has considered 1t of
sufficient Importance to notify the Washington
authorities at once.
Jones Of Port Townsend, the newspaper man
who was tho first man appointed United States
Commissioner ct st. Michael, and ]. J. Rut-
ledge. tho United States Deputy Marshal at
Circle City, arc said to BIO the chief flibusters.
Jones did not 60 to st. Michael at once on his
appointment. and 1t was said that no had re-
signed. So Sheppard OF Nebraska was ap-
pointed In his place. Both Jones and Rutledge
are venturcsome fellows. quite capable Of con.
ceiving and trying to carry out such . scheme.
According to tho story, Jones and Rutledge
figure 1t this way. They mean to declare that
tho Klondike gold fields arc in United States
territory. taking advantage for hat purpose Of
the fact that the boundary line has not been
definitely declared. although they know as we'll
AZ anybody else that the disputed part of the
boundary line does not affect that territory.
There are about 5000 miners in the Klondiko
region, and nearly all of them arc United States
citizens. They are very indignant at what they
consider the oppression and unjust exactions OF
the Canadian mining laws. under which they
are compelled to pay q heavy royalty, and the
size Of their claims Is reduced very greatly. Par
ticularly are they wrought up about tho law
reserying each alternate claim for tho Crown.
~ L. l--l .I-l 49,. --A
after all communication 10 cut oil for the win.
tor. TO go to Dawson and formally hoist the
Stars and Stripes. declaring that all the fields
are on United States soil. and therefore open for
entry. They rely on the hearty support OF tho
5000 American miners to overAwe the few
British mounted police and to defeat them IL 1t
comes to y question Of fighting. They moan To
declare martial law, with themselves as COM
manders and their gang OF hlibusters as OF.
fcials, and no one will DO allowed to leave for
the coast. II by chance any one does get away
they argue that IL will be impossible for either
Government 10 get troops into the klondike be-
fore next May or June.
In the meantime all the claims now reserved
for the Crown will DO located and worked to
their full capacity. In this way millions Of dol
lars worth OF dust will DO taken out and secured
before either Government can raise a hand to
prevent II. 1t Is insisted that no harm can come
To any one ina as the real boundary line
is in dispute and unknown, and that American
citizens have tho same right to say that tho GOLD
fields belong to the United States and to sstab-
lisn our claim there as the British. Jones and
Rutledee agure that the grateful miners will
put up dust enough 10 make them a very hand
some reward for their troubles and risk.
It is impossible to learn here what the Terri
torial officers will do. or whether they will try
to do a nything. The story has not general cir
~culation hero.