The record-union., 1897-12-29
In Their Efforts TO Aid the Miners in the
KI0Gdike Country.
Explorer Nansen Points Ont a DiT-
ticulty to be Met With in the
Use OF Reindeer as TRANSPORT
Animals, Suggesting That Ice
land Horses Would Likely be
Found More Available.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-The Cana
olan Minister Of the Interior. Mr. Sif-
ton, and his Secretary, Mr.. NICK emma,
We're waited upon at their hotel this
morning by Assistant Secretary Meikle-
John OF the War Department, and well
coined in the name OF Secretary Alger.
They were then driven around the sub
urbs, including the Soldiers Home
grounds, until noon, when Secretary
Alger, who had arisen from his sicl1
bed for the purpose, entertained his
visitors at luncheon.
1t is learned that Mr.. Sifton, I'm ac-
cepting Secretary Alger's invitation ia
come to Washington for the purpose ot
consulting respecting Klondike relief
measures, telegraphed that his Govern
ment was heartily in favor of co-opera-
ton with the United States authorities
In their efforts TO aid miners in the
klondike. 1t is expected a plan OF
operation will soon be arranged be-
tween Secretary Alger and the Cana
dian officials.
Captain Brainard has been authorized
TO issue tomorrow the advertisement
for the supplies that are TO be carried
on the relief expeditions. The list is
as follows:
List / includes absolutely indspen-
sable articles, and is made up of bacon.
flour, pea meal, onions, tea. salt and
pepper. These things are TO go, if any
thing is taken. 1t viii be noticed that
in food value onions are set ahead of
potatoes. and that tea is taken instead
of coffee.
Both potatoes and coffee are provided
for in list No. >, which is made up of
lrstT TxT. %fxs,.4
ton to those in the first list, if there
is accommodation for them. This list
is: Dried fruits (apples, prunes or rails
ns), dessicated potatoes and coffee.
If the transportation facilities are
equal to a still further load, then the
articles in list No. 3 will be added. as
follows: Fresh meat in cans, sugar and
tobacco.
Mr.. Sifton said tonight that he hoped
to conclude his visit within the next
two days. and that there was no doubt
the two Governments could make an
arrangement which would be mutually
beneficial in extending relief TO the
Klondikers.
ARE REINDEER AVAILABLE?
BIRMINGHAM On. ", Dec. 2S.-Dr.
Fridtjof Nansen, the Arctic explorer,
of bringing reindeer from Norway to
carry relief supplies to the Klondike
miners. He said if the I,indeer were
taken overland across the country
they would probably reach Alaska in
time to accomplish the desired object,
and if they could reach Alaska they
would undoubtedly be of great assist
ance in the relief work. The difficulty,
however would be to get the deer
transported.
DIR. Nansen said the moss on which
the reindeer live is about the only food
they will eat, and they will starve be-
fore they will eat much of anything
else. They have sometimes been trained
to eat bread, but not very successfully.
While there is an abundance of moss
in Norway, he thought it would be i'm
possible to gather it in such quantities
as would be necessary for the feeding
of 500 deer in transportation from Nor
way to Alaska. The deer themselves
seem to know how to gather it better
than human beings. He believed that
If 500 reindeer were shipped from Nor
way it would be impossible to keep
more than small percentage of them
alive until Alaska should be reached.
According to his opinion. Iceland
horses would be better for this work,
for they would subsist on the moss of
the Arctic regions and also on hay or
other proyender. They We're also hardy
and would do the work after they
reached Alaska almost as well as the
deer. 1t would be much easier to
transport them, he said.