The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-08-01
CUTTER TO WATCH PIRATES
Secretary Gage Orders an Armed
Vessel 10 Alaskan Waters. !.
GOLD CARG8ES a IN DANGER
Threats of Chinese Buccaneers to
Seize and Rob tho Portland-Rush
or Bear to Convoy tho Steamer
From st. Observation-Disclosures Sent
to Captain Hooper.

Secretary Gage has concluded thatdan ger
is to he apprehended from pirates along the
coz st OF Alaska, and In the neighborhood
of the AIeutian Islands, and he has prompt
Hooper, of the Boring Sea fleet. to detail
the revenue cutter bear. If the same can
pe got ready Ia time, aud IL not, the Rush.
to go to st. Michaels, Alaska. and act as
n convoy to the Portland, which will sail
from that port September 1 8.
The Portland viii nave a cargo OF about
So 900, 600 in gold, obtained by the miners
in the KIondi Ike gold regions, and this fact
Is know to the lawless men along thecoast
Many of these men are Chin ese desperadoes.
A short time ago the officers of the North
American Transportation Company, at
Alaska, obtained reliable information to
the effect that an organized piratfcal ex-
petition against the Portland would be
made while the vessel was near tha Goa st
The cupidity Of the lawIess gang that has
been attracted TO Alaska by the gold dis
cuyeries is aroused by the kno WI edge OF
tn. va st amount of gold the Klondike mi ners
intend To ship on the Portland, and. so
the ships company says, they have de-
termined to possess IT IL possible.
The information obtained by the Port
lands Officers indicate that the gang OF
pirates propose to meet the boat some " here
near the A1eutian Islands. They will ie-
main secreted ON shore, and when the
ship puts In an appearance viii APP
rroach her in number or small boats.
Ii this can be done in the night the gang
will be better pleased.
- When this plot come to the knowledge OF
the capt ain of the orttand he communicated
at once with the officers OF the North
American Transportation Company at
Alaska, and they made quiet investiga-
ton, which satisfied them that the wild,
blood-thirsty plot was "a reality. They
Immediately informed Mr.. p. B. Weare, OF
Chicago, president of the company, Of the
expected attack OF pirates, and he, as
published in The Times Thursday last,
made a demand on Secretary Gage for
nrctection. He urged the Secretary to
send to the assistance OF the Portland a
revenue cutter, fully aimed and equipped
for laid on pirates. Mr.. Weare sub
mitted TO the Secretary the correspondence
and reports ON the matter that had been
forwarded from Alaska to him. by his
agents there, and the Secretary said he
would exam ne into the affair.
II was yesterday anpounced at the
Treasury Department Chat Mr.. weare's
fears were believed to be well founded,
and that he has a sufficient reason for
believing that an attack may be made
On the Portland by lawless men on the
Alaskan coast, and that such an attack
would endanger the lives OF the passen-
gers and crew as well as the S2,0o0,000
in gold and other cargo on the vessel.
The Treasury officials. having arrived at
this conclusion, at once sent dispatch to
Capt. Hooker informing him OF the depart
ments conclusions and giving him the
orders mentioned. A revenue cutter win
leave for ST Michael's 10 time to act as
q convoy for the Portland.