Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-19
KLONDIKE RELIEF.
HOW IT IS TO DE GOTTEN TO TIM
GoLD-sEEKERs.
EXPLORER BRAISARD IN CHARGE
Reindeer 90 De Used, and the Anf~
mails Needed Now Being Obtained
I'm Lapland-Csnadian Government
Cooperation.

WASHINGTON, December Isle q
probable that David l.. Brainacd. OF the
subsistence department OF the army, VIII!
be placed in charge OF the relief parties
that Secretary Alger will send 10 the
Klondike region with provisions. He u
now on duty at the Army building IN
New York city, and has been ordered "a
report to General Narriam, the commands
err OF the Department Of the Columbia
at Portland. ore. On tho way he win
stop In washington for consultation with
Secretary AIger. He win have charge
OF the commissary department or the exc
petitions.
Captain Bralnard accompanied Genefal
Greeley on his Arctic explorations. and
1t was largely owing to his heroism that
the small remnant of the expedition was
enabled to prolong life until succor was
received. He held the honor, until Nans
sens feat, of having made the farthest
point north ever reached.
Secretary Alger is giving much study
to the best means of getting In supplies
to the miners of the Yukon country, ana
has decided to ask bids for the delivery
Of stores directly at Dyea, Skaguay, OF
Chilcat. Already great deal or rivairN
has sprung up among the towns on QUIZ
Pacific coast for the honor OF being the
shipping port of the stores and the pusi-
ness that will follow, and by requiring
bidders to deliver their goods directly In
Alaska the War Department Will DC
saved the necessity OF making a chofca
among them.
one question that has engaged the Secs
retary's attention is that OF securing tne
consent of the Canadian Government 70
the passage OF the relief expeditions eveh
that part of the Canadian territory Whicu
must necessarily be trayersed In rnaenina
the mines 1t will be necessary 10 oo-
tain a permit for a military expedition
to pass, and also to secure a remission OF
duties on the supplies that are 10 be
carried In. 1t is probable that to attain Dis
object In the shortest possible period or
time. Secretary Alger willsgo himself to
Ottawa in few days and deal directly
with the Canadian Government, insteaq
of relying on the slow-moving processes
Of diplomacy.
The following telegram was received
to-day by the Secretary. and by him ros
ferred to General Merriam, at Portland:
NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE.
Seattle. Wash, December S.-Secre-
tary Alger: The Post-Intelligencer ana
its Alaskan news syndicate have made
all preparations to send an expedition "a
Dawson City. leaving Seattle next Tues
day, on the steamer Corona, tor Skaguays
IL is well equipped with oxen and dosos
and will reach Dawson by February 10TH
II is the pioneer mid-wlnter expedition
and it's services are offered TO you for
locomotives and such other purposes as
,you NAV ha able TO suggest
(Signen EDGAR PIPER
This afternoon Secretary Alger sent q
telegram to General Merriam, commands
ing the Department of the Columbia, In
structing him TO pick out two ofhcers
and fifty of his best men to act as guards
for the relief expedition, and 70 equip
them with the clothing necessary for tho
Journey. Captain Bralnard Is to devote
himself first to experimenting the seiec-
ton OF stores, and their delivery ana
proper packing at Dyea, fog the trip
across the passes. Afterwards he may
go across with one Of the expeditions.
The present idea Is that there will be
twenty of these parties. and they will be
loaded. with / 900 tons of food. for which
Secretary Alger will advertise immedi-
ateiy on the condition of delivery at Dyea.
The United States military attache OF
the legation at Stockholm has been cabied
to purchase the reindeer needed as, draft
animals. and ship them TO Dyea. Mr..
Kielmann the chief herder OF the Alas
kan reindeer herd. Is now in Lapiands
where ne has been getting an option ON
the animals needed.
The route to be followed from Dyea
inland to the Klondike has not yet been
determined, and will depend upon the re-
ports of the military officers.
RELIEF MEASURE A LAW.
WASHINGTON, d. c., December IS
The President this afternoon signed the
Joint resolutions passed by Congress to-
day for the relief OF the miners In tho
Yukon river country. and changing tbs
appropriation for the government build
ing and display at the Omaha, (Neb) ex-
position.