The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-12-11

| PIoIOSCu -eApOSIIIOl, ana the slUlOTlIldLiOl
thus acquired enabled him to justify I'm
application for a much larger allotment OF
space for the American section than had
been reserved by the exposition authors
ties. The result was particularly gratify-
ing In view of the fact that the United
States was one OF the last countries to ac-
cept the invitation of France
The reception accorded our special COM
missioner was most cordial and he WINS
given very reasonable assurance that the
United States would receinye II consider
alton commensurate with the proportion
OF our exhibit. The report of the special
commission as to the magnitude and I'M
port OF the coming exposition and the
great demand for space by American ex-
hibitors supplies new arguments for a lib
eral ana judicious appropriation by con-
gress to the end that an exhibit fairly
sources of our country may be made in I'M
exposition which will illustrate the worlds
progress during the nineteenth century.
That exposition is intended to be the most
important and comprehensive of the long
series of International exhibitions. of
which our w at Chicago was a brilliant
States should make a worthy exhibit of
American genius and skill in their rivalled
achievements in every branch of industry.
Our Navy.
The present Immediately effective navy
consists of four battleships or the first
cruisers to torpedo boats. There are I'M
DER construction five battleships OF the
submarine boat. No provision has yet
been made for the armor of three of the
five battleships as ii has been impossible
to obtain 1t at the price fixed by congress.
It is OF great Importance that congress-
provide this armor, as until then the ships
are of no fighting value.
The present naval force. especially In
view of its increase b the ships now I'M
der constructions, while not as large ms
That of a few other powers, is a fofmids
each. type; and with the Increase that
should be made to 1t from time to time in
the future and careful attention to keep
Ing it in. a high state OF efficiency and re-
pair, it is we'll adapted to the necessities
OF the country.
Dry Docks Needed.
The great increase Of the navy which
has taken place In recent years was ousti-
fed by the requirements for national de-
Tense and has received public a%Dproba-
ton. Tn time has now arrived. however.
when this increase to which the country
is committed. should, for a time. take the
form Of increased facilities commensurate
with the Increase of our naval vessels. 1t
Is an unfortunate fact that there is only
one dock on the Pacific coast capable Of
docking cur largest ships, and only one
on the Atlantic coast. and that tie latter
has for six OF seven months been under
repair and therefore incapable of use.
vide three or four docks of this capacity
on the Atlantic coast. at least one on the
racine coast. and a floating dock on the
Very competent board. appointed to in
y~estisate the subject. There should also
be amne provision made for powder and
proJectiles, and other munitions OF war,
and for an increased number of officers
and enlisted men, Some additions are
also necessary TO our navy yards for the
repafr and care of oui. larger number Of
vessels. AS there ere now on the stocks
five battleships Of the largest class, which
cannot be completed for a year or two, 1
concur with the recommendation of the
secretary of the navy for an appropria-
ton authorizing the construction of one
battleship for the Pacific coast, where at
present there Is only ole in commission
ana one under construction. while on the
Atlantlc coast there are three in COM
mission and four under construction: and
also that several torpedo boats be author
ized In correction with our general sys-
TEN OF coast defense.
Ainsla Needs Attention.
nromp. and early attention of congress.
The conditions now existing demand ma
terlal changes in the laws relating to the
territory. The great influx OF population
during the past summer and fall and the
prospect of Il still larger immigration in
the spring will not permit US to longer
within the territory or postpone the estab-
lishment of "a .1ore thorough government.
A general 'Esem of public surveys has
not been ext:@aed to Alaska, and all the
if'b VI ttldl 'iiSlI al Z
upon special surveys. The act of con-
Er YES e stxt ten TO alaska ths mining
reservation that it should not be con-
strued to put in force the Eenral land laws
or the country. By an act approved March
3. 1881. authority was given for the entry
Tor the purchase Of not exceeding 100
acres, then or thereafter occupied for The
purpose OF trade and manufacture. The
purpose of congress as thus far expressed
has been that only such rights should aI.-
Ply to that territory as should be specific
ally named.
done for the vast, remote ard yet most
promising portion of our country. Spe-
cial authority was given to the president
by the act of congress. approved July 81,
1897. to divide that territory into two land
districts and to designate the boundaries
thereof. and to appoint registers and sur
veyors of said land offices. and the presi-
dent was also authorized to appoint a sur
veyor general for the entire district. Pur-
suant TO this authority a surveyor gem
with offices at sitka. II, in the ensuing
year the conditions justify it. the addi-
tional LAND district authorized by law will
be, established. with an office at some
point in the Yukon valley. No nppropria-
tion. however. was made for this purpose,
and that is now necessary to be done for
the two land districts into which the ter
ritory is to be divided.
Military Force Needed.
- IN VAIL. lie SetECltTS war III
his suggestions as to the necessity for 4
military force in the territory OF Alaska
for the protection of persons and prop
erty. A'.cndy a small force, consisting OF
twenty-five men. with two officers. under
command Of Lieutenant Colonel Randall
Of the Eighth infantry. has been sent TO
As it is to the interests Of the government
to encourage the settlement of the coun-
try anG its duty to follow up It's citizens
with the benent of legal machinery, /
! earnestly urge unOn congress- Tho cSInh.
ishmen Of q system of government with
such feXibility as will enable it to adj
population.
Famine on the Yukon.
The stortling. though possibly Eager
try OF the probable shortage of food for
the large lumber OF people who are cntcr-
Ing there without the means of leaving
the country are confirmed in such 4 meas
ure as 10 justify bringing the matter to
the attention. OF congress. Access TO that
country in winter can be had only ny the
passes from Dyea and vicinity. which is a
most difficult and perhaps impossible task.
However. should these reports Of the suf-
fering OF our fellow citizens be further
verified every effort al any cost should be
made TO carry them relief.
The Indians.
For a number OF years past 1t has been
apparent that the conditions under which
the five civilized tribes We're established in
the lndlan territory under the treaty pro-
visions with the United States, with the
right Of self-governmen: and the exclu-
sion of al! white persons from within their
borders, nave undergone so complete a
change as to render the continuance of
the system thus inauguratcd practically
impossible. The total number OF the five
civilized tribes. as shown by the last cen
sus, is 45. 494. and this number has not ma
terially increased, while the white popu-
lation is estimated at froL, eco. coo to $50, 900,
which by permission of the Indian govern
ment has settled In the territory. The
present area Of the Indian territory con
tains rs, CO.. 564 acres. much of which is
very fertile land. The United States cit
liens residing in the territory most OF
whom nave gone there by invitation or
with the consent of the tribal authorities,
have made permanent homes for them
selves. Numerous towns have been built
in which from 900 to 5000 white people no
reside. Valuable residences and business
houses have been erected in many Of
them. Large business enterprises are car
ried on In which vast sums of money are
employed, and yet these people who have
invested their capital In the development
of the productive resources Of the coun-
try, are without title to the land they oc-