The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-30
PLAN is NOT FEASIBLE
THROWS COLD WATER ON
ALGER'S RELIEF SCHEME.
He Does Not Think Reindeer Can he
Driven Through the Passes ON the
Road TO Dawson City.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Assistant Score
tary Meikeljohn to-day presented Mr. Cliff
ford Sifton, the Canadian minister of the
interior, to the President Mr.. Mckinley
greeted Mr.. Sifton with cordiality. but did
not discuss with him in any manner the OBJ
jects of his visit. Later Mr.. Sifton took
lunch at the British embassy. After the
luncheon Mr.. Sifton, accompanied by Mr.
Meikeljohn, called on Attorney General Nc
Kenna and Secretary OF the Treasury Gage
The visits were simply out of courtesy, but
in the course of Mr.. Sifton's visit to both
these Cabinet officers the question of get
ting supplies into the Klondike was dis
cusSed. Mr.. Sifton, in a general way, eX-
pressed the opinion that the Canadian gov
eminent would be glad to render any aid
in it's power to this government in getting
a relief expedition into the Klondike, but
expressed the opinion to both Attorney Cen
eral McKenna and Secretary Gage that
there was not likely to be great suffering
among the miners in the vicinity of Dawson
City for lack of food. This opinion he ex-
pressed on the information in possession of
the Canadian government. He did think,
however, that there might be severe suf-
fering on account of the excessive cold, as a
large proportion of those who rushed into
climated Moreover, Mr.. Sifton is not SAN
guine that a relief expedition such as this
country contemplates could get through.
The Canadian government, with all the facil-
tiles in it's possession. has not yet been able
to get in twenty-five tons of provisions dis
patched some time ago. He pictured in a
gloomy way the immense difficulties in driv-
ing reindeer through the narrow defiles and
ia SiftOn.
his talk with Secretary Gage, also referred
briefly to the question of duties on miners
supplies. but nothing significant was said
on either side so far as could be learned.
Mr.. Sifton expected to have a conference
with Secretary of War Alger this after
noon, but was unable to do so on account
of the latters physical condition. 1t is bare
ly possible, though not probable that Gen.
Alger will be able to have the conference
tomorrow forenoon. Otherwise Mr. Sifton
and Assistant Secretary of War Meikeljohn
will have a conference on the situation to-
morrow afternoon. This, however, has not
been finally settled. If Secretary Bliss re-
turns in time tomorrow, there also will
be a conference between him and the
Canadian minister The latter also is ex-
pected to discuss the question further with
Secretary Gage.
Mr. Sifton Contemplated leaving here for
Ottawa tomorrow, but tonight stated he
expected to remain until Friday afternoon.
He has been through the passes in the
Alaskan country, though not in the winter
season, and he says he does not think the
snow falls would level up the passes for
the transportation purposes that have been
suggested. Mounted police of the Canadian
government have been taking in relief sup
plies via Skaguay, it has been stated in
the course of conference on the subject and
they are building caches for preservation
of the goods about seventy-tive or one hun
dred miles apart.
T.. S. Rosefeld, general manager of the
company controlling the newly devised
snow and ice engines to-day submitted a
proposition to the secretary of war for the
transportation of $50 tons of government
supplies from the head of Lynn canal to
Dawson at rs cents per pound of weight.
All arms, accouterments and rations of the
army detachment. not exceeding fifty tons,
are to be carried free both ways. The
scheme contemplates sending the trains
over one of these three routes, the Dalton
route from Haines Mission. the Chiikoot
route, from Dyea, or the White pass from
Skaguay.
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambas-
sador. sent an official communication to-
day to the secretary of state, announcing
the British government will permit the de-
tachment of the United States army ac-
companying the government relief expedi-
ton to cross British territory in making
the trip. The detachment will be accom-
panied by a representative of the Canadian
government as an escort while passing
british