The San Francisco call., 1897-11-08

have, but the Belvsdere took from here
10 barrels OF -four and 10000 pounds of
bread. a years consumption would be
about fifty barrels of -four and 5000 pounds
OF bread.
captain M:Ilard sold some of his extra
supplies but he ought to have considera-
bic left. l understand that the four YES
sells there are within a quarter OF mile OF
the shore, so that thev an go ashore at
any time. TIE William Bayless LETT her
extra provisions at the ? int Barrow sta
ton. | do not know what the provision
supply at the station is, but there are na-
tive villages about, the ships have plenty
OF guns and ammunition. there Is game 10
be had, and the men can hunt themselves
or hire Indians to hunt for them. The
ships may be lost in the spring, but L De-
Heve the men will be all right.
Il do not Know where the tour other
whalers east OF Point Barrow are, but they
will probably make for Herschell island,
where there is cache of provisions.
Whalers have been wlntering up there on
that coast for years. The grub question is
the only one and, as l say, there are the
Indians and the hunting and fishing to
re-enforce whatever provision supply there
may be"
One of the best informed men on the
situation is Captain Blair, who has often
been called ''the father of Arctic navlga-
ton" lie is by no means enthusiastic
over The chances of the rescue expedition.
but he thinks 1t is worth an earnest effort,
and believes that some of the crews may
be saved if no time is lost. Among other
things, be said:
'It Is not a picnic excursion, by any
means, but there Is a fair chance, particu-
larly if the weather happen to be favor
able The worst fear l have is that the
heavy winds and rough weather may al
ready have done them great damage. l
doubt whether a vessel can get as far as
Captain Healy imaglnes 1 think he is
over. sanguine. You must remember he
has never been there in the winter and for
that reason his views are likely to be too
much enthusiastic. However, it is worth
the trial, particularly if there is food
enough for the reindeer, whether in the
way OF browsing or food 10 be carried"
Isaac Lebes, treasurer OF II. Liebes &
Co., which is heavily interested in whaI-
ing and sealing in northern waters, IN
speaking of the proposed relief expedi-
tion yesterday, said that his company
maintained stations at both Point Barrow
and Point Hope.
''Thess stations are less than 800 miles
apart" said he, land almost constant
communication is kept up between the
Two points throughout the winter by
means OF dogs and sleds. Our agents at
both stations have been notified of the
nipping OF the gn. whalers by Captain
Nelson OF he Alexander, and they will do
every rything in their power to assist them.
We send a schooner load Of supplies to
each station very year, out of which We
feed several hundred natives.
In order iced the imprisoned sailors
it will be necessary to supply the natives
with guns and send them into the interior
TO take care OF themselves by subsisting
on such game as they might be able to
xii.
Even this would place the whites on
rather short rations before spring. think
the cog teams would be used to transport
part of the sailors to Port Hope, while the
Others would remain a Point Barrow"
This statement of Mr.. Lieoes proves
almost conclusively that the plan to get
relief to the whalers is feasible. Both
Lieutenant Stoney and Captain Healy say
tits possible to get ship as far north as
Norton Sound. Between there and Point
Hope there are many natives, and the
country is well known to white men. 1t
was the long journey from Point Hope to
the northern limit OF Alaska that seem ed
% offer the greatest difficulty, but Mr..
Lie0es' statement that the distance is
constantly trayersed in winter proves that
it is entirely POSSIBLE for relief expedi-
ton TO make tue journey.
While he asserts that the sailors can
manage TO subsist on the food now at the
TWO stations by turning several hundred
poor natives out to starve, some of the
whaling captains who have just returned
from the north dispute this and say posi-
lively there is not enough food in the en-.
tire region to keep men alive until as
sistance can reach them in the spring.
The Rev. William RAIDER of the Third
Cong egational Church when asked last
night for his deas in regard 10 the pro-
posed Arctic relief expedition said /:
There is no question about the duty of
the United States Cover ment sending
relief to the i'm prisoned whalers in the
Arctic seas. They are just as much in
prison as was Senorita Cisneros, and in
distress as desperate as the starving
natives Uf India. The Government has
frequently delivered its distressed people
and the people of other lands, ard the
pathetic condition of these seamen should
appeal to the Americans as government
May He CALL succeed in its noble effort
TO bring this matter to the attention of
our authorities a Washington"