Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-12-30
GOVERNMENT FOR ALASKA
Senate and House Committees Oh Pub
lie Lands and Territories Prepar-
ing Legislation for Territory.
ARRANGING FOR RELIEF EXPEDITIONS
British Government Has Consented to
Passage of Troops Over Canadian
POSSESSIONS Situation in Sal
vador Threatening.

Washington, Dec. 3O.-The senate ano
house committees on public lands and or
territories are at work on legislation fol
Alaska, preparing the way for action BY
the two houses, The chief problem is tc
provide for better government.
Secretary Bliss recommended in his an.
nual report that Alaska be made regd.
larly organized territery, but the senti.
ment of the territories' committee is that
the time is not yet ripe, that the popula.
tion, practically dependent on rich min
ing strikes, is rowing one, and that
even the towns having large population
today may be abandoned tomorrow. 1t
is probable there will be some enlarge
ment in it's present government as pre-
ferable to q general system of local
legislation and territorial organization.
The jurisdiction Of the federal officials
there may be extended and their number
increased. This is to be temporary
bridging over of the problem until the
transitory feature of the population is
largely eliminated.
As to the extension, in toto, of general
land laws, the sentiment now is that the
Lacey bill providing for this is too
sweeping. The rlght-of way act for rail
ways, etc, carried by the Lacey bill, is
likely to be modified, while there will be
some special Legislation for the proteo-
tlon of the timber. The homestead laws
will be extended, while mineral and town
site laws already are in force.
KLoNDIKE RELIEF EXPEDITION
Washington, Dec. 30.-Mr. Sifton, the
Canadian minister of the interior, called
at the war department by appointment
today, and had long conference with
Assistant Secretary Meiklej Ohm, who is
giving his attention to the Klondike re-
lief expeditions, during the illness of SEQ
retary Alger. Having secured the con-
sent of the British government to the
passage of United States troope, to be
used as guards, over Canadian territory,
what remains to be done is to arrange
for the admission of supplies without the
payment of duties, provided they are not
sold for more than actual cost. 1t is ex-
pected this matter will be shortly ar
ranged.
The arrangement effected by Mr.. Sifton
in behalf of Canada and the war depart
ment contem plates that the relief expedi-
tion be executed Jointly by the United
States army and mounted police of Can
ada, which constitutes the military arm
of the dominion. The United States
force will proceed with relief stores to
Skaguay, where they will be Joined by
40 Canadian mounted police. The two
forces will then proceed together to
points where the relief is to be distribut-
ed. The determination as to Skaguay is,
however, still open.
The Canadian officials concede much
latitude to the American authorities in
the actual distribution, recognizing that
the expedition is fitted out on this side,
although considerable part of its work
will be done on the Canadian side of the
border. No duties will be imposed on
the stores carried by the relief expedi-
tion. Mr.. Sifton also held conference
with Secretary Gage and discussed the
unsatisfactory condition of customs regu-
lations along the border aud at coast
ports where goods are received by one
country for transportation to the other.
1t was the natural feeling that an i'm
provement system could be made, and
negotiations are in progress which are
hoped to effect changes advantage ous to
both sides.
aUNBoAT FOR SALVADOR.