The record-union., 1897-08-19

tween Lake Bennett and Taghis
Lake.
SEATTLE CWash.), Aug. 1S.-The
steamship AlKi, which arrived in port
this morning from Skaguay and Dyea,
brought the following letters for the
Associated Press:
Skaguay near Dyea), Alaska, Aug.
4.-Twelve Canadian customs officers
arrived here, and in a few days will
establish a custom house at the port
age between Lake Bennett and Taghish
Lake, a point by which all Yukon or
klOndike travellers must pass if they
start from Dyea or Skaguay. The rates
Of duty viii average about $50 on the
average outfit of a YukOner. The Off
GERS are we'll armed, and will have the
assistance of the mounted police to
enforce the collection of duties. Further
down the river will be stationed guards
to intercept any one who might elude
the vigilance of the officers.
American miners who have inves-
tigated the question assert that the
treaty between Russia and Great Brit
tain provided that Yukon, Porcupine
and Skeena rivers should be free for
commercial purposes, and exempted
from imposition of customs duties. The
Canadians evade the point at issue by
claiming that prospectors crossing the
mountain ranges to the lakes or head
waters of the Yukon do not go into
the territory by way of any of the riv
ers mentioned, but they cross American
territory, and before they can reach
Yukon the duty is exacted.
~,
exercised over the situation, and the
low grumbling heard on every side may
lead to complications. Canadian Off
GERS in very firm and positive tones de-
clare that they will enforce the law i'm
partially, and will not discriminate
against Americans, though they incl
dentally claim that a year or two ago
Canadian miners were driven out of
the mines at Circle. City, because they
We're not naturalized citizens.
1T is useless to~arsue that there is
not serious feeling between the two
peoples. whether it is justifiable or not,
] do not pretend to say until I shall
have reached the Klondike and the
mining camps of the Yukon River, and
thoroughly investigated the subject.
The Canadi officers are taking with
them full years supplies. and with
the assistance of the mounted police
propose to maintain an official mail
service, for official purposes only, be-
tween the Klondike and Ottawa.
AT present there are fully 800 head
of horses here, and about 700 are due
to arrive in the next ten days The
distance to the lakes is about forty
miles, and the highest altitude to be
crossed is 3.1O0 feet. Horses can make
the two round trips in a week, each
averaging go pounds.
"One company here is shipping into
the Klcndike a complete set of ma
chinery for operating a saw mill. The
Skaguay trail to the lakes is just open
ed, and is said to be in good travelling
condition.
A SIGNIFICANT TELEGRAM.
'DYEA (Alaskal, Aug. 5.-The fol-
lowing telegram was received here to-
day at Holly & Wilson's trading post
from Ottawa, under date of July 9th:
If possible, kindly send word to Do
minion Surveyor Macarthur to come to
Dyea for important instructions. He
need not bring his party
e. DEVILLE,
Surveyor General"
Macarthur went into the interior Of
Alaska through the Chilkat Pass early
last spring, and intended to come out
at this point. He is supposed to be
somewhere along the lakes leading to
Klondike, and I was intrusted with the
charge of delivering the telegram to
him on my way to the gold fields. The
rich discoveries in the KlOndike and
the necessity of more definitely locating
the exact boundaries between the two
countries on the Yukon is supposed TO
be the important instructions referred
TO, though many experienced Alaskan
people profess to believe that Near
thur viii receive instructions to def
nitely locate the coast boundary near
this point. so that the Canadian Gus
toms officers now at Skaguay can 10
cate the custom-house as near the
boundary line as possible.
The newly appointed Collector of
Alaska, Mr.. Ivy of Oregon, was here
the other day, and said that he had
been in telegraphic communication
with Secretary Gage just prior to sail
ing from Seattle on July 25th. and that
he was ordered TO install a sub port of
entry at Dyea as soon as possible. I'm
less both Governments are very care
full. a system of retaliation will be in
vogue before either are aware of the
fact. and much ill-feeling viii follow
this. and the miners will be the great
sufferers"
SKAGUAY A THRIVING TOWN.
TACOMA Aug. 1S.-The steamer
Queen, Captain Carroll arrived at 4:30
p. m. to-day direct from Alaska with
141 tourists who made the round trip
on her from Puget Sound TO the north.
Captain Carroll reports pleasant trip,
with the exception of several hours of
fog. He says:
There We're ZOO people at Dyea and
skaguay August 18th. the day the
Queen left there. Some of the men
who started over the trail and beoame
disheartened were selling thir outfits
at less than they paid for them 3n the
Sound. Bacon was being sold at 10
cents a pound and flour at the rate of
two sacks for 81. Many of the fortune
seekers have given up the idea Of sOcn
crossing the trail. I advise no one TO
60 north until spring
''Skaguay is already a thriving town.
gambling houses, saloons and other re-
sorts are running at full blast under
canvas roofs.
'tOn our return trip we passed ten
!, II