The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-27
MILITARY POST IN ALASKA.
Secretary AIEer Urged to EstabIiah It Near th
British Columbia Boundary.

oeorotary AIEer Urged to KstabIish Il Near the
British Columbia Boundary.
WASHINGTON. July Conc probable result
Of the Klondike excitement will be the estab-
lishment Of q United States military post In
Alaska, somewhere along the route to the newly
discovered gold fields. Secretary Alger is con.
siderinR tho matter and is said to be favorably
disposed. Sevaral months ago some Of the Fed
eral officers of the Territory had a talk with
Secretary Alger and Secretary Long about estab-
fishing a military post at Juneau. or sending q
gunboat to that vicinity. and assurances were
given by the Cabinet officers that one or tho
other Of these requests would be granted.
ance at Juneau. attracted by the rush 10 the
Yukon gold fields. and the Federal authorities
ter has remained in allegiance. but the rush to
ton of Secretary, ATRer, who has also been urged
vision for protecting tho interests OF the United
States in that sparsely settled country.
A, rather sensational suggestion has boon
made by men whose standing makes it certain
that they will receive consideration. that United
the new sfS sold Il fie His0 psndi no the the s SGsstiIess,Gn 81
the boundary dispute. As the Klondike region
appears to be entirely, in British territory there
be followed.
Alaska business men are urging Secretary
ISL Columbia boundarr. about ? go mile miles sR west sFt Of
Klondike and {, 200 miles up the Yukon River.
Icar tnal any attempt on the part OF the
from working claims on tho British side of tho
line Will result In rioting and loss of life" 10 ono
OF the reasons advanced by those who want the
post erected.
A consideration that has occurred to the War
Department ~ that the soldiers who may be sent
there are likely to become ~impreRnated with the
klondike craze. resulting In many assertions to
tho new Colorado. The department Officials
think this may be avoided by allowing half the
troops TO go to the fields every other year, and
are discussing the adyisability OF making such
an ArrAnRHmAnt- nrnyidan thu Gaarafaru Ha,fl.a
thSt a post Is necessary.
ONO officer. Capt. w. r. Abercrombie of tho
Second Infantry, has volunteered for service in
Alaska. He telegraphed Secretary Alger to-.
day from Fort Harrison, Mon. that he would
like to go to the territory with sixty picked men
request that he be allowed to report personally
70 the Secretary of War to explain his views.
II the post 10 TO be. established this season the
Administration will be obliged to act quickly,
as the Alaska winter will soon begin.
The probabilities are that Secretary Alger
will recommend tho step to the President. There
10 some doubt as TO the right OF tho Executive 10
authorize Its establishment without permission
from Congress and that question has been re-
ierred TO the Attorney-General for an opinion.
army Officers on duty ut the War Department
familiar with the law on such matters said to.
day, that the appropriation for tho maintenance
or he army could DO used to construct the post
without authority OF Congress.
Inc question or Transporting troops to tho
proposed site Of the post has ALREADY been dis.
The route agreed on AZ the most feasible is up
Inc Yukon by steamer AMI then overland on
foot. Army officers. who arc much Interested
IN the scheme. think thero 10 yet time TO do this
be.ore the winter d, ts In. A comp ny OF infan-
try VIII comman the post II 1t is established.