The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

Special Dispatch to the Post-Inteiligencer.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 2I-The report OF
the secretary of war contains the follow
Ing In reference to the ship canal TO con-
meet Lakes Washington and Union with
the Sound:
The work OF securing the right-of-way
for the canal free OF cost TO the govern
ment Is in progress. The dimensions OF
the canal as proposed by the board OF en-
gineers constituted under the provisions
OF the river and harbor act of September
~, 1880, which were based upon the size
of merchant vessels then employed, are
not deemed sufficient 10 accommodate ves-
sells since built and to be built in the near
future. 1t Is thought to be desirable and
important that an increase In the size of
the locks and depth of channel In the
canal sufficient to accommodate commerce
and vessels of the United States navy
should be made, and the secretary of the
navy has accordingly been requested to
furnish information as 10 the depth and
accommodation 10 the vessels of the navy
and permit their passage between the
sound and the lakes, in order that the data
may be at hand and available for consid-
Grafton when the detailed plans for the
work of construction are being prepared
The right-of-way now in progress of pro-
cnrement Will, Il is believed. permit the
increase of dimensions, but should ad,ll-
tonal right-of-way be found necessary.
the same could probably be secured free
Of cost TO the government.
AS the acceptance by the secretary of
war of the right-of-Yay mus, precede the
preparations of detailed plans. IL Will yet
be some time before active operations Of
construction can be commenced
Il cannot too strongly recommend the
construction Of this canal Lake WASH
ington is a large sheet of fresh water
with excellent banks. 1t is very deep and
OF course. entirely free from tides. The
necessity on that great coast of fresh
water whore sea going vessels can be re-
paired and freed from barnacles is most
apparent
Recommendation About Alaska.
In regard to Alaska the secretary has
the following to say:
Within the past year, as is Of course
well known the great territory OF Alaska
has opened up new problem. II is prob
able ;hat within another year a very large
number OF people may be gathered there.
estimated by many conservative men as
high as io9,0'0 and / urgently suggest that
some adequate measures he adopted by
which A military force can be sen. 10 tha,
territory. II need be. 70 guard persons and
property. In a remote country where there
arr 80 laws. and The territory very extern
sive. there is great danger taat there may
he m9ch lawIessness ard need Of re-
sttaining force. and 1 therefore hops. that
large powers may he granted the executive
80 provide as far as possible ior any ener-
gercy that may arise
"On the s9th OF September Lieut.. Col
Randall of he Eisnth Infantry with two
officers and twenty-A men. accompanied
by surgeon and three assistants. were
sent 10 81. Michael % estahIsa 4 post. and
for the purpose o. guarding property and
preserving the peace The command ar
rived safely on the ath ultlmo. \ military
reservation with headquarters on the ISL
and os 81. Michael was SEATED under
orders OF he 2ttn ult;mo. The creating ot
further military reservations. in command
ot prudent officers. given some discretion,
may best solve thc problem. \ boay for
transportation ard patrol on The Yukon
=
authority IS asked 20 provide one
on account et the terrible r.gor Of the
weather and also The Inducements for de-
ser;gon. | recommend tha, the pay Of ;he
enlisted men serving ;here he increased.
Win the hope that extra compensation wiii
l.e an iuducenent fog very hseh grade os
rnca 70 caltSt IN tha> particular scrylce."
Secretary Aieer recommends ,he revival
oy the grade - lieutenant general saving
that ali yhs great nsuors give their officers
mach higher raBk than does tae United
States. 8e snierSes The 'Feeonar,e eadation
o. tAe superintendent; Of tae military az
aieHy ;naf the ruDneF - students d.
West Point h. increased hy aljowins each
senator ~ nominate a cadet. As an alter
native he suggests taa; the president be
authorized 20 appoint ten cadets al large
each year.
Favorable comment Is made upan the
work q re military colleges % the s,o4n~
Try. but il is suggested thai the l.w te
amended SO SIS 20 authorize ds .A;ts o. army
officers only 20 such colleges as have AZ
least Ia pupils actually present.
Attention is called 70 the zeed os a
r,rapsr syE;eER ~ criminal Jurisdiction over
military reservations ard ct a hall of rfe-
ortss fer the storage q. ofSicsai papers The
estimate fpx army trans 3sors alton fs Yn-
creased BY sioo. @st IL provide means for
moving heavy ordnance. To provide for
,he new posts needed o. TIRE SEA cosst sn
estimate AZ s. ass,e ,ess Is submitted.
t-ntli recently fae hospital n Not
springs ~AS only open to soldiers ~ the
regular army. bar Secretary A,ssv has fas;
amended the regulations - As ~ authorize