Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-12-11

thus acquired enabled him to Justify nm
application for q much larger allotment o.
space Tor the American section than had
been reserved by the exposition huthOrt.
ties. The result was particularly crafty
ing In view OF the fact that the United
States was one of the last countries TO ac-
cept the invitation of France.
The reception accorded our special CON-
missioner was most. cordial and he was
given very reasonable assurance that the
United States would receinve a consider
alion commensuratc with the proportion
commission as to the magnitude and i'm
port OF the coming exposition and the
great demand for space by American exs
hibitors supplies new arguments for a lib
eral and judicious appropriation by con-
gress to the end that an exhibit fairly
representative of the industries and re-
exposition which will illustrate the worlds
progress during the nineteenth century,
That exposition is intended to be the most
important and comprehensive OF the long
series of international exhibitions. OF
which our own at Chicago. was a brilliant
example and it desires that the United
American genius and skill in their rivailed
achievements In every branch Of industry.
Our Navy.
The present Immediately effective navy
consists OF four ba~ttlcships Of the first
class. two OF the second and forty-eight
other vessels, ranging from atmored
cruisers TO torpedo boats. There are un-
der construction i've hattleshlps of the
nrst class. sixteen torpedo boats and one
submarine boat. No provision has yet
been made for the armor OF three OF the
five battleships as IL has been impossible
20 obtain II at the price fixed by congress.
IL Is OF great Importance that congress
provide this armor, as until then the Ships
are of no fighting value.
The present naval force. especially In
view of its increase ~ the ships now un-
der construction. while not as large as
that of a few other powers, is a formid-
able force; its vessels are the very best Of
should be made 10 1t from time to time In
the future and careful attention 10 keep
ing IL IN n high state of efficiency and re-
pair, II is well adapted to the necessities
of the country.
Dry Docks Needed.
The great increase Of the navy which
has taken place in recent years was )usti-
fed by the requirements for national de-
Tense and has received public approba-
tlon. The time has now Arrived. however.
when this increase to which the country
is committed, should, for a time, take the
form Of increased facilities eonmehsuraie
with the increase of our naval vessels. IL
is an unfortunate. fact that there is only
one dock on the Pacific coast capable OF
docking cur largest ships. and only one
ON the Atlantic coast, and that the latter
has for six OF seven months been under
repair and therefor" incapable of use.
Immediate steps should be taken to pro-
vide three or four docks Of his capacity
on the Atlantic coast, at least one on the
Pacific coast. and a floating dock on the
gulf. This ~ the recommendation of a
very competent board, appointed to in
vestisate the subject. There should also
be ample provision made for powder and
projectiles. and other munitions. or war,
and for an increased number OF officers
and enlisted men. Some additions are
also necessary 90 our navy yards Tor the
repair and care OF our larger NUMBER OF
vessels. As there gre now on the STOCKS
five battleships of the largest class, which,
cannot be completed for a year or Two, 4
concur with the recommendation or tne
secretary of the navy for an appfoptia,
ton authorizing the construction OF one
battleship for the Pacific coast, Whefe NJ
present there is only one in commlssipn
and one under construction, WINE oh nc
mission and four under construction hnu
also that several torpedo boats be au'nos-
lied in connection with our geheIhi s's
tenn OF coast defense.
Alaska Needs Attention.
rhe territory of Alaska requires the
rromp: and early attention OF oonS ma.
The conditions now existing demahd ma
terial changes in the laws relating 70 me
territory. The great influx OF popuia'iI1n
during the past summer ana IaI IL IN
prospect of "A still larger Immigration IN
the spring will not permit us 10 iont.i
neglect the extension OF clvll au'hohiy
within the territory or postpone ths ~
lishment of "A lore thorough eoaeTnih, hn.
a general 'sa.em Of public surveys mas
not been extc'ded 10 Alaska: ana ~ me
entries thus far made IN that dis'1,S' az
1 nDOn SftGldl hINfNR ~ ~
gress extending To Alaska the MINING
laws Of the United States contaiheh INC
reservation that II should not De con-
strued 10 put in force the Ienral any 'ams
of the country. by an at approved March
& 1891. authority was given for the entry
Of lands for town site purposes a,,u aI ,so
acres, then 81 thereafter occupied for the
purpose OF trade and manufacture The
. has been That enIy such rights sba,,id So
v ppif W ,na. territory as should be specific
~ VIII be seen how mach r. mains 10 be
uohc Tor the vast. remote and vet most
4, pnI"IH.,s PORTION OF our country. Spe-
j. Suthorlty was given to the president
~ 'nt act OF congress. approved July q.
~. 70 divide that territory into two land
uLSlrlcIs anu 10 designate the boundaries
vnVlroi, ana 70 appoint registers and sur
EeEors OF said and Offices. and the presi-
ueht was also authorized 10 appoint a sur
Neyor general for the entire district. pur-
oraht 10 inns authority a surveyor gem
clai alu recel@ei nave been appointed.
WIN onices AZ Sitka. If. I'm the ensuing
year The conditions Justify IL. the add.
bohaI iand district authorized by law will
ne established, with an office az aonna
polnt in the YUKON valley. No annronria
u"n however, "as made for this nurnose.
a. .ma' IL now necessary 10 be done for
rltofy is TO be divided.
Military Force Needed.
| conc1r viii the secretary O.. war I'm
ms suggestions as to The neSessitv To- a
military force in the territory OF Alaska
TOT the protection OF persons and prou-
tsg e@dy a small force, consisting OF
o"enly-hVe men. with two officers. under
e9mLnahd OF Lieutenant Colonel Randall
ei me Eighth infantry, has been sent n
a. as ~ ntsnaei TO establish a military pest.
=" - 10 me interests Of the government
~ encourage the settlement OF the COM
uIth" ~ itS DUTY TO follow up It's citizens
earmaetnv peheht of legal machinery, /
iss urge upon ongrcss the estah-
nsnhent 1f a system OF eoy.rn,nent with
Such neNlbility as will enable II m a.
, nnn,, iaseIi TO the future areas of greatest
iaihine Nh the Yukon
a, ade sitting, though possibly o, oyeer-
ated reports from The Yukon yn. dsEeI-
ny or the probable shortage 81 80 QUIZ
ine large number of people who roou lor
, t III .nere without the means Of ieauinc
ure as To justify bringing ,ha = meas
cnr attention of congress. Aces ,,eT 10
masses ~ winter can be had only Nv nha
. poos. tIom Dyea and vicinity ,ybiaS .he
2 most difhcult and perhaps im5os wn,ch rs a
fapina should these reports OF The 80
a veridea every HEF e fsa,9w citizens be further
""'ue 10 carry them relief. u'a oe
e The Indians.
FOR a number OF years mas, 4
uPparef't That the conditions uuosr upSeseen
: n nve CIVILIZED tribes We're es,ablised IN n
. .ne indian territory under the trea'Y IN
visions with the United States viz pro.
! right OF self-government and In" erc Inc
I hhorddor al white persons from within Their
ppIuers' nave undergone so co,nniata =
unahse as 10 render the continuance %
nme system UL.us inaugurated practican
y nmposslple. The total number Of the auss
. e,viiized tribes. as shown by the last 'ene
I sus' Is 4o;4s4. and this number ha. not ma
! ,eIiaIiy increased; while the white ponu-
q Iation Is estimated at froLi eco. COO to 90 noo
wnrvh by permission of the Indian govern,
menu mas settled In the TERRITORY Tho
i. present area OF the indian territorv con-
tains 25,694, 564 acres, much OF which &C.
very fertile land. The United States cits
lzens residing in the territory most Of
!. whom have gone there by invitation or
[ with the consent of the tribal AUTHORITIES
nave made permanent homes for them.
: selves. Numerous towns nave been buiit
: In which from 500 to 5000 white people now
: reside. valuable residences and business
houses have been erected I'm many OF
! them. Large business enterprises are car
$ ried on In which vast sums of money are
employed, and yet these people who have
: invested their capital I'm the development
f, OF the productive resources of the coun-