The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-12-27
MENACE alaska 5 SAFETY
Continued from Page Three.)

lected in time for the work Possibly
some of the large Japanese merchant
fleet might be enlisted, or some of
the numerous tramp steamers on the
China coast. But to employ any but
American ships between Seattle and
st. Michaels would necessite special
Legislation by Congress permitting il.
One is led to suspect that SO large an
immigration to the Yukon as 30. 300,
or even more than 10000 during the
next year, will prove impracticable,
for lack of facilities for transporta-
ton, even if the twenty millions of
money required for such an army of
10000 were forthcoming.
The foregoing figures as to the num-
Der of ships necessary to be employ
ed in reinforcing and maintain
ing the American colony in Alaska,
are, however, useful as indicating the
enormous dimensions of the ocean
traffic on that route which is certain
to come into existence within the next
five years, and for properly protecting
which Congress must at once provide.
| say certain" believing that the
richness of the Yukon gold fields is
an undoubted fact. For many years
they will continue. as California and
Australia did, to attract adventures
and enterprising men in great num-
bers. Within five years doubtless a
population of 100000 white men will
he in occupation of the Yukon valley.
Their wants must be almost wholly
supplied from abroad, the country
producing nothing but minerals, posi-
bly, coal Several hundred Thousand
tons of provisions. clothing, lumber
and coal must be imported annually
to supply their necessities. And with
a large number of people going and
coming from so desolate a region, the
ocean traffic must soon attain the
great dimensions above figured out.
That immense line of American
ships steaming back and forth be-
tween Puget Sound and the Yukon
mouth is completely hanked by Hon
olulu and Pearl Harbor at distance
of only 2400 miles to the southwest
With the Hawaiian Islands in the pos
sion of an enemy. such fanking posi-
ton will be fatal That line of traffic
will Inevitably be broken up, with not
only loss of ships and cargoes. but
what will be intellectually more serious
the complete destruction of the inhnb-
itants of the Yukon valley, through
restitution of supplies.
1t would therefore seem to he in
'cumbent on Congress at once. and Ia
king no chances, to proceed to )ccu-
Ply Pearl lIarbor and Honolulu in fun
force. Holding that point, they will
hold the key of the group, and the
key of the whole North Pacific. Fail
ing to occupy this stragetic center the
great line of communication with the
Yukon win be liable 70 destruction,
involving the destruction of the popu-
lation of that region.
The topic of the foregoing remarks
has been confined TO the Yukon val
ley. Il is in place here TO note hat
in occupying that region, much Of the
great stream Of immigration viii in
eyitably be diverted to the Intervening
district of southeastern Alaska. and
which in consequence is certain 10
have its occupation greatly eXpedit-
ed. That territory abounds in the
richest resources of timber, mines !; nd
fisheries, as well as having much ag-
ricultural capacity. 1t is fully 2apa-
bic of sustaining a prosperous popula-
ton of one million. II is not unreason-
able to expect that within ten or hf-
teen wears at least 100000 people will
become settled in the Sitka region. in
consequence of the Yukon excitement.
Then it appears that a new and pros
porous American state is likely soon
to be formed in the far north, whose
| lines of ocean traffic will close those
of other states at their central meet
of Hnnn11I1n iS
of our nearest neighbors, and her
growth will be most welcome to ia
wall.