The record-union., 1897-12-01
The Subject Considered at a Meet
ing Of the Cabinet.
Nothing Can be Done Until the Next SeS-
sion of Congress COnvenes.
Appropriations Will Then be Ask
ed for the Transportation of
Supplies - Meantime Secretary
of War A1ger Will Formulate
Plans for Getting Relief Across
the Passes.

Iue Z aSSCSs
WASHINGTON, Nov 30-The Cabi-
net to-day considered the subject of
sending relief to the people in the Klon-
dixie. President Mckinley received
telegram from the Portland (OregoD
Chamber of Commerce stating that
there was danger of destitution and
suffering on the Klondike, and Offering
to supply the necessary food for relief
if the Government would undertake its
transportation. The information was
not definite as to the actual conditions,
but was on the same lines that has
been telegraphed from the Northwest.
The Cabinet considered every phase
of the situation, and discussed ways
and means of affording relief 1t was
decided that nothing could be done un-
til Congress meets, when an appropr1-
alton will be asked for the purpose of
transporting food supplies. Although
many plans have been discussed, none
have been decided upon. 1t is prob
able, however. that whatever action is
taken will be under the direction Of the
War Department, and by the time Con-
gress acts Secretary Alger will have for
mulated plans.
No attempt will be made to go up the
Yukon, as the ice has closed progress
in that direction. The relief supplies
will have TO be sent over the passes.
Just how they will be transported is a
question requiring earnest considera-
ton, and one that will require the
study of many plans in order that an
entirely feasible one may be evolved.
Secretary Alger Will gather all possi-
ble information. and VIII communicate
with persons who know the route to
the Klondike. and are familiar with the
transportation methods in the Arctic
and other frozen regions. Reindeer and
dogs possibly may be used, and there is
also a suggestion that the steam snow
shovel which has been successfully used
in the deep snow of log camps may be
used Secretary Alger sees confidence
in it as a means of transportation.
The members of the Cabinet were all
intensely interested in the matter of Sc
curing relief Whether the men who
are supposed to he suffering went there
or not against the repeated warnings OF
all officials is beyond the question. the
simple fact being that they are there
and need relief. making it imperative
upon the Government to extend aid If
possible.
No estimate has been made as to the
cost. and none can he prepared now.
Congress will be asked to appropriate
a sufficient amount and the War De-
partment will expend it in the most
economical manner. as in the case of
the Mississippi flood sufferers, when
100000 was appropriated, and only
$4,000 expended.
The task of getting supplies to the
Klondille in mid-winter is not under
estimated. and doubts are entertained
as to its being a possibility. Dyea can
be reached by steamer Thence the
journey is one Of 100 miles over noun
tains, through deep drifts of soft. loose
snow The sun shines for only about
five hours in twenty-four and the ther-
mometer often goes down to 10 and so
degrees below zero. but it is believed an
expedition cannot reach the Klondike
before February at the earliest. and
the hope is expressed that there is a
sufficient supply of food 10 last until
then II is estimated that there are
5000 people in the gold country.
A report recently stated that 80. 900
head of horses and cattle went TO the
Klondike from Dyea a short time ago,
but Commissioner Smith. at Dyea, has
wired the Government that such is not
the fact. He says 900 sheep started
over the Dyea trail. and that ii is be-
Heved they reached the mines. Some
time ago 300 sheep were sent down the
Yukon. of which 200 may have reached
the Klondike.
Secretary A1ger believes that Captain
Raw has gone TO Dawson. and that he
will make his way back and report
upon conditions there. Nothing has
been heard from him since he left for
the Yukon. but the Secretary expects
advices from him almost any day
1t Il probable that the President viii
send a special message to Congress
asking for an appropriation for the re-
lief of the people in the Klondike. and
it is believed prompt action will be
taken. and the money made available
Immediately.
The following correspondence was
laid before the Cabinet:
Portland, Or. Nov. -. 1891.
TO the Hon. William Mckinley
President Of the United States. Wash
ington. d. c.: Overwhelming evidence
itStle y IAS TO the grave ddiiStiS NitNA
confront the American miners on tht
Yukon and its tributaries. with the
dreaded horrors of starvation when tht
present small stock Of provisions shal
be exhausted, demands of us. as hui
name people blessed with abundance
that everything in our power shall be
done 20 relieve the distress which Is
almost certainty, unless supplies ot
food can be transported 10 the impris-
oned miners.
With this object in view. the Port
land Chamber of Commerce has com
municated with kindred organizations
on the Pacific Coast. and has obtained
in almost every instance assurances of
hearty cooperation in furnishing ths
necessary supplies. so soon as the Gov
ernmert shall promise to transport tn,
same 10 their destination and super
wise their distribution
Private resources are wholly made
uuate for the task involved Out Of
our abundant storehouses the peopi,
of the Northwest tributary to Portland
are capable of furnishing food supplies
an Quantities sufficient to ,ravid,