The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-01
CALL OFFICE, RIGGs HOUSE,
~ WASHINGTON Nov
United States.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.l
The Cabinet to-day considered the sub
iect of sending relief 10 the people in the
KIondike. President Mckinley received
a telegram from the Portland (Or.) Cham
6er Of Commerce stating that there was
Zanger of desiitution and suffer on the
Yukon and offering to supply the neces.
'Yry iood for relief if the Government
weu!d undertake its transportation.
The information was not definite as TO
the actual cond. tions, but was on the same
lines as thst which has been telegraphed
from The Northwest The Cabinet con-
sidered every phase of the situation and
discussed ways and means OF affording re-
lief
1t was decided that nothing could be
done until Congress meets, when an ap-
propria ton will be asked for the purpose
OF transporting food supplies. Although
many plans have been discussed none has
been decided upon. 1t is probable, how
ever that whatever action is taken will be
under the direction of the War D part
ment, and by the time Congress acts Sec
retary Aleer will have formulated 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 re-
quiring earnest consideration, and one
that will require the ludy OF many plans
in order that an entirely feasible one NAV
be evolved.
Secretary Alger viii gather all possible
information and will communicate with
persons who know the route 10 the K on.
dixie and who are familiar with the trans
portation methods in the Arctic and other
frozen regions. Reindeer and dogs pos
slbly may be used and there is also a sug-
gestion that the steam snow shovel, which
has been successfully used in the deep
Vsnow of log camps, may be used. Secre-
Itary Alger has confidence in it as meaus
of transportation.
The mem bers of the Cabinet were all in
tensely interested in the matter Of send
ing relief. Whether the men. who are
supposed to be suffering, went there
against the repeated warnings OF all offl.
Gals or not is beyond the question. the
sim pie 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 a. TO the
cost and none can be prepared now. Con.
gress will be asked to appropriate a suf.
ficient amount, and the War Department,
will expend 1t in the most economical
manner, as in the case of the Mississipni
flood sufferers, when 100000 was appro.
priated and only S75, 600 expended.
The task OF getting supplies TO the
Klondike in midwinter is not under
estimated, and doubts are entertained a.:
to is being a possibility. Dyea can be
reached by steamer, but thence the i1ur.
ney is one of 700 miles over mountains and
through deep riffs of soft. loose snow
The sun shines for only about five hours
in twenty-four. and the thermometer
often goes down 10 so and 60 degrees be-
low zero. But it is believed an exredi
tio1 cannot reach the Klondike before
February at the earliest, and the hope is
expressed that there is sufficient supply
of food to last until they go. 1t is esti
mated that there are 5000 .orIe in the
gold country.
report recently stated that $50, 00Q
head OF horses and cattle recently went tc
the KIondike from Dyea, but Commits
joner Smith of Dyea has wired the Gov.
knment that such is not the fact. He
hHys that 1000 sheep started over the
We trail, and that it is believed they
reSehed the mines Some time ago 800
sheep were sent down the Yukon, ol
"nlch 200 may have reached the Kion-
dixie.
Secretary Alger believes that CAPTAIN
Roy has gon- to Dawson, and that be
will make his way back and report uron
conditions there. Nothing has been heard
from him since he eft for the Yukon, bat
the Secretary expects adyices from him
almost any day.
1t is probable that the President will
send special message to Congress