The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-09
Government VIII Send the Revenue
Cutter Renr tn the Arctic Sen.


Cutter bear to the Arctic Sen.
WASHINGTON. Nov. S.-There was a
conference at the White House. to-day at
tended by Secretaries Gage, Long and AL
ger. Commodore Melville and Commander
Dickens. of the navy, and Captain Shoe
maker. commander CT the revenue marine
service, to consider measures for the relief
of the American whaling feet said to be
destitute and ice bound in Boring sea- 1t
was decided to send the revenue cutter
Rear to the relief or the whalers. She is
now at Seattle, Wash, having just arrived
from Alaska. Orders have issued to put
her in condition for the voyage at once and
Captain Shoemaker says she will be ready
to sail as soon as she can be provisioned,
which will take but short time.
Secretary Alger was asked if reindeer
were available to be taken on the trip, but
the lack Of information as to where the
reindeer are located in Alaska made it i'm
possible to decide definitely on this point.
Commodore Melville, who has had a great
deal of experience in the Arctic and espe-
ciaIIy in Bering sea, gave the conference
the benefit of his experience and knowl-
edge but it appears that there is yet a.
great lack of information as to the loca-
10 whether they are in destitute condi-
tion. Secretary Long has given orders to
ascertain more definitely if possible the eW-
listing conditions, also whether or not it
was not the intention of the fleet to winter
in the north. This Information, it is ex-
pected to obtain from the owners of the
vessels President Mckinley is much in
terested in the matter and asked many
questions of those present. From q naval
chart which Commander Dickens brought
TO the White House, the probable location
of the fleet was pointed out apd CommO
dore Melville gave his opini1s = to how
the vessels might be reached. - is prob
able the Bear will stop at some point on
the Alaskan coast and take aboard sup
ply Of reindeer and dogs TO be used in
crossing the ice foes when the vessel can
no longer be navigated
Secretary Long has received a number
of appeals from congressman and other
persons on the Pacific coast for some ac
ton by the government for the relief Of the
whaling vessels. The San Francisco Call,
through Mr.. Carleton, it's correspondent
here, has submitted to the department a
proposition to supply food and other needed
stores for the whalers If the department
would undertake to get them to the dis
tressed sailors. This offer was mad4 be-
cause the Navy Department itself nad no
authority, in the absence of congressional
sanction, to furnish any supplies. Secretary
Long held a conference with the chief Of
the navigation bureau and then sent tele-
gram to the commandant of the Mare ISL
and navy yard, requesting him to procure
Tor the guidance of the department all in
formation obtainable Immediately as to the
probable amount of stores needed, the sit
uation of the whalers and other facts bear
Ing on the case. The secretary decided that
none Of the naval vessels on the Pacific
coast is suitable for the transportation of
tne supplies and for this reason the Bear
was named for the duty.