The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-05

CAPT T. Fl. RAY of the Eighth Infantry.
T. s army. stationed ar Fort Russell.
near Cheyenne. Wye. Is in Seattle en- route
10 the Upper Yukon. where he has been
detailed by the government 10 open .
meteorological survey and observation OF
fee AT Circle city. Capt. Ray has III the
past spent several years IN the Arctic
regions and has acae considerable survey
and sopogra ph,cal work within the frozen
xonsS- Yesterday afternoon Capt Ray rlet
the members OF the heard OF trustees at
the Chamber OF Commerce and gave de-
iightfully informal talk on the subject OF
Alaska and the country OF the higher lati-
tadeS- great many OF Capt. Ray state
nen.s came as revelations 10 most OF those
present. as Alaska had been vaguely con-
slGsred land of snow and Ice with Incl
dentally. as has been developed TO a large
degree lately. some gold.
The territory in the nsiyhhorhood OF the
YUKON delta and for considerable DIS
lance uo the stream. as well a. much OF
the shore line and inland, was stated by
Capt. Ray 10 be Of great agricultural and
grazing possibilities. II is of the same
latitude as England and affected by the
same general conditions. one owing thu
mi.dness OF its climate TO the Gulf stream
ami the other to the Japan current. The
ci.rnafa OF the parts OF Alaska referred TO
and OF the Aleutian islands. Capt. Ray
characterized as being much better than
that Of England. and the whole OF the
district. he said was better than the Sean
dinavial peninsula. AS grazing country
Alaska, or certain portions of II. prom
Use much. and Capt. Ray says that IL is
better than the country south Of the Baltic
whence Russia exports most OF her cattle.
There is plenty Of grass and timber, the
former being blue grass. making tine
quality OF hay for winter fodder.
Russian reports which the speaker had
had access TO recorded that all of the hardy
cereals had been raised IN abundance dur
ing Russian occupancy. and there is no
reason why they should not thrive as Well
now as ever.
When asked why misleading reports as
10 the possibilities had been sent out, Capt
Ray stated that ne believed the fur hunt
ers 10 be responsible for them. The ad-
vance of civilization diminished the OPP
portunifies for fur hunting. and the hunt
ers had evidently discouraged settlement
by sending out statements concerning the
rigors OF the climate and the unprolinc
qualities of the soil.
The fisheries OF Alaska are not excelled
anywhere on the face of the globe, and his
estimates OF the Ash that must be in
northern waters was made by the knorl-
edge that the millions of seals that he saw
a, the rookeries in 1859 suhsisted on cod.
With the reduction of the herd the propa-
CATION of the fish must have increased
greatly. The country is capable of sup
porting large population by agricultural
pursuits alone. and the fisheries offered
another great opportunity. Up around ST.
Michaels there is a less rainfall than az
Sitka, with diminishing quantity as the
north was approached
When asked concerning the temperature
of the district between Icy cape and Cape
Sabine. where much typographical work
and surveys have been made under Cap,-
Rays direction. he answered tha- at a
distance OF NO miles further north than
ST. Michaels the maximum cold had been
found in two years 10 be 81 degrees below
zero. and the maximum summer temper
allure had been So degrees above zero.
Capt Ray then gave an interesting de-
scription Of certain anthropological differ
ences and the application by the natives
Of dogs and reindeer 10 their transporta-
ton. He laughed heartily 81 the govern
ment appropriation Of a fund for import
ing reindeer to Alaska from Siberia, say
ing that the reindeer is as native TO
Alaska as 10 Siberia. and that he had seen
thousands Of them before any attempt was
made on the part OF the Rev. Sheldon
Jackson 10 have .hem introduced into the
American district.
Capt. Rays explanation % the climatic
conditions and the agricultural posSibili-
ties OF Alaska earned a close interest on
the part of his hearers. and he answered
the many questions that Were put TO him
readily. pointing out on chart the places
concerning which there was an inquiry.
Capt. Ray sails on the Cleveland today
accompanied by Lieut.. Richardson, OF the
army.