The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-19

An empire OF virgin soil. equallng in
area almost one-fourth OF the United
STATES. rich beyond the dreams Of man in
s9iu. umoer. coal and petroleum, lies N
AiasAa and the Northwest Territory. trib-
utary 70 the mighty Yukon.
i IS estimated that 20 0a1 people living
"a the last and Europe are preparing &c
80 70 the klondike next year. They will
sNpeha. on an average, for transportation.
Lood' oalnts and clothing nearly. II not
10y. $3.50 each This means that $50.
@VooJ VIII De distributed bv the thousands
o. sod hunters that viii flock 10 the West
Wnen travel sets northward in February
OF THIS princely sum from $1,000 0lo % $50 =
v1.epe should be expended in Seattle for
provisions and supplies.
NhSh the territory Of Alaska was ceded
70 t1ls country by Russia. on a cash con-
sideration Of S7.200.0oa hundreds OF good
peopie declared the price was too much
This belief was Induced BY an Ignorance
OF the district and its possibilities for con-
ulobting 10 the welfare and progress of
mankind as dense as the thickest jungles
IN AFRICA. For nearly thirty years the
American people have been engaged in
ACQUIRING information concerning Alaska.
nut aside from the territory tributary to
Inc travelled routes from Dyea and other
coast cities 10 the Yukon mines and the
mouth OF the great river in Boring sea.
the country Is almost as much a land an
known as II was when, by Stewards
craftsmanship, IL was added 10 this coun-
tryts possessions
since the early summer of this year.
ana more particularly since the arrival
OF the steamship Portland with million
in gold that paid the wages OF sixty odd
miners for few short weeks In a hither-
10 uneNplored and unk lown region the
attention OF the civilized world has been
drawn 10 the Northwestern extremity Of
the American continent. CAPITAL has been
aroused TO such life and enterprise as II
nao not KNOWN in years past. Today not
less than a half dozen companies have
been organized for the purpose of build
lIS ran and stec mer lines into the Valiav
OF the Yukon TO tap a region scanned
with gold and other precious metals
That the klondike gold mines are To-
Gated in British territory has furnished
Incentives for the investment of British
cSp ital and the entry Of various Canadian
navigation and exploration companies in
10 the Held for the purpose of acquiring
a hold on the trade Of the district and
promoting development
American Capital Interested.
The Canadians are not to have it all
their way in the Kiondike American
capital has Teen aroused 20 the import
ance Of the gold discoveries Capital
owned in this country is 10 be applied 10
the development of not only the Klondike
district. bat all that immense area tribu-
tary TO 1he Yukon. UNEMPLOYED as TO its
larger part. but known to be rich in
mineral wealth.
As IN all new countries the first prob
lem that confronts the hardy pioneers is
the question Of transportation. For the
purpose OF establishing a route from salt
water to the chain of fresh water lakes
a the head of the Yukon basin, which
vould ultimately be followed by thous-
ards Of immigrants destined for the gold
fields. Canadian company caused line
of travel 10 be surveyed across the coast
rarge of mountains selecting what was
believed To be the point having the least
altitude for the location Of the line over
the summit. White pass was pronounced
10 be this spot. and Charles L. Garside.
an American engineer bazed a rugged
PARKWAY between the boulders end
swamps that lie along the route over
bite pass. Alexander Baliingham who
was in charge Of the operation Of the CON-
T6ny in Alaska is an Englishman When
the trail was completed he returned TO
England for the purpose of securing the
funds necessary for the completion Of
narrow gauge line from the head Of Dyea
inlet 70 Lake Teslin emptying into the
Hootalinqua river.
Another Canadian line is reported TO be
financed by the Canadian Pacific. II be-
gins with 3 line of steamships from Van
cOUver. thence up the coast 70 Fort Wran-
gel and thence following the Stickeen
river 20 Telegraph creek. where the rail-
lire IS taken 10 Lake Tsslln. Here river
steamers are 20 carry the hordes OF gold
seekers TO the Klondlke, down the rushing
H0otahnqua river.
IN iaH
American brains and money are to he
Fitted against British gold and the strug-
gle should he a grand one The first in.o
the region will naturally reap the greatest
reward. To grasp and hold the trade with
the gold-producng district, which 81 10
distant dsy viii he the Mecca for nearly
10 GO people is the 3trn Of me Canadians.
To halk tbeir game is the purpose Of the
American c7r5t7lsts who VIII tur0 their
money and energies into these new chan
nels.
Seatfic's Great Interest.
In this struggle now in SIS incipiency.
the city - - 1ttle and every man. woman
and child fortunate enough 20 claim tais
as his home. j. most vitality Interested. The
spasmodc rush az frantic geld hunters
ehat follow 80 she return If the Portland
with her cargo Of gold dust and nuggets
gave the merchants If Seattle forensic
Of thar NNtCn iH "a fHfnr Nst1 it}f SPRING
af 1895 Seattle h8s stood unrlvaled. che
mistress Of the Sound the possessor Of me
Aiasks Grade The efors Of jealous com
maritics 20 cs.s hlish evidence mat there
was competition fer the trade were tut5le.
Seattle was she starting point for - per
cent OF .hose VINO left rle sound for
Alaska during JtHy and AuEas'- Naturally
Ssy found tHis place tte mCst convenient
for Quitting and here they started on the
long journey over land and sea 20 the
K'ou3ike.
The Post-Inte lIieencer has SHOWN the
stimulating effect rhat this unlocked for
tide of hunan5tv commuufcs red 20 every
avenue OF trade and commercial pursuit IN
the city No better evidence ahan she
crowded streets ana sidewalks. piled nigh
wttA c7rfts and countless truck loads Gov
vrlrE me harveS with Cset~ burdens.
-ouid 20 found 20 establish the fsa- that
Seattle was lrteed the Ea'eway 20 f1@
uor-b ard controlled absolutely the trate
WIN Alaska
The success OF fhe cana l.sn railway
promoters wouid sndanger Seattlss posi-
fson - some extent. while th~ completion
~ rail and steamer iiue 20 Dawson win
This CRY as the starting poirc woald bind
more firCalv than ever TIE fes that
hold The Northwest Territory and Alaska
This is why Seattle Is 50 vitality interested
IN the struggle between the American and
Canadian capitalists In their race 20 the
yukon.
Mention o. the project 81 which Andrew
= Bur}elgn IS interested has been made In
Il 81 -.