The herald., 1897-12-01
OFFICIAL
ANXIETY
Concerning Conditions in
Alaska
DISCUSSION WITH CABINET
FAILS TO SUGGEST PLANS FOR
RELIEF
In Any Event Nothing Will Be Done
Until Congress Meets and Appro-
pirates Money

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 30.-The
Cabinet today considered the subject of
sending relief to the people Of the Klon-
dixie. President Mckinley received a
telegram from the Portland (Orego)
Chamber Of Commerce stating that
there was danger Of destitution and suf-
fering in the Klondike and offering to
supply the necessary food if the gov
ernment would undertake its transpor-
tation.
The information was not definite as to
the actual conditions but was on the
same lines that had been telegrapheo
from the Northwest. The Cabinet con-
sidered every phase of the situation ana
discussed ways and means of affording
relief.
It was decided that nothing could be
done until Congress meets, when an ap-
preparation will be asked for the pur-
pose of transporting food supplies. AL
though 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 assembling
of Congress Secretary Long will have
formulated his plans. No attempt will
be made to go up the Yukon, as ice mas
closed that stream. Relief will have to
be sent over the passes, if at all. Just
how it will be transported is question
requiring earnest consideration and one
that will need the study Of many plans
in order that an entirely feasible one
may be evolved.
Secretary Alger will gather all possi-
BILE information and will communicate
with persons who know the route to
Klondike and are familiar with the
transportation methods in the Arctic
and other frozen regions. Renders
and dogs may possibly be used and there
is also suggestion that the steam snow
shovel, which has been successfully used
in the deep snow of log camps, may be
used.
Secretary Alger has confidence in it
as a means of transportation. The men,
bers Of the Cabinet were all intensely
interested in the matter Of forwarding
relief. Whether the men who are suffer-
ling went there or not against the re-
peated cautions of those conversant with
the dangers of the section is beyond
question, the simple fact that they
are there and need relief makes it i'm
perative upon the government to ex-
tend aid IL possible.
The following correspondence was laid
before the cabinet
PORTLAND. Or, Nov. 20, 1897.
To the Hon. William Mckinley Pres
ident of the United States, Washington:
Overwhelming evidence testifying to the
grave dangers which confront the Amer
lean miners on the Yukon and it's tribu-
taries, with the dreaded horrors of star
walton when the present small stock of
provisions shall be exhausted, demands
of us, as humane people blessed with
abundance, that everything in our power
shall be done to relieve the distress
which is almost certainty unless sup
plies of food can be transported to the
imprisoned miners. With this object in
view, the Portland chamber of commerce
has communicated with kindred organi-
cations on the Pacific coast and has OBJ
tained in almost every instance assur-
ances of hearty cooperation in furnish
ing the necessary supplies so soon as
the government shall promises to trans
port the same to their destination and
supervise their distribution. Private
resources are wholly inadequate for the
task involved. Out Of our abundant
storehouses the people of the Northwest
tributary to Portland are capable of fur
nishing food supplies in quantities suf-
ficient to provide against the impending
distress, but lack the means necessary
to transport the same and to provide for
this we appeal to the nation through it's
chief executive and it's representatives
in congress to an end that an expedition
in command Of officers of the army or
navy be provided for and instructed to
make all possible haste in the accom-
plishment of the mission intrusted to
them. Assurances thus far received
warrant us in guaranteeing to the gov
ernment that the people of the United
States, especially that portion tributary
to Portland, will supply all the food
products which the government will un-
dertake to transport to the beleaguered
miners, and we earnestly pray that your
excellency will heed our petition and
lend to it your valuable support. With
assurances of our most loyal considera-
ton, we have the honor Of subscribing
ourselves
THE PORTLAND CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE.
BY w. s. MASON, President.
e. D. OLIPHANT, Secretary.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Nov. 80.
To Hon. w. s. Mason, President Cham
Der of Commerce, Portland:
The president directs me to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your telegram Of the
29th inst. concerning the starving min
ers on the Yukon, and to say that he
fully sympathizes with the expressions
In your dispatch. and hopes
that such means as shall be necessary
to afford the relief contemplated will be
furnished at the earliest possible day.
(Signed) r. A. ALGER;
Secretary Of War.
Commissioner Smiths report showed