The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-02-02
ANILD IHI nIIII1I II1
Captain Rays Report Outlines a
Very Serious Condition in
klOndike.
1t i SO Bad the Matter VIII
Again Be Laid Before
Congress.
Synopsis Photographed to tho
Var Department by General
Merriam.

WASIiISGToN. Feb. 2.-General Mcr.
Secretary Melklejohn of the war de- |
partmcnt, opened at Seattle the dis
patches brought by Special Messenger
Wells from Captain Ray, the depart.
ments special representative In the
hlondlke, and forwarded an abstract OF
them TO the department by telegraph.
Acting Secretary Meiklejohn was SO
much impressed with the statements
wired that he submitted the dispatch
at once - Secretary Algcr, who Is now
Convalcsccnt at his home, and after
( Insulation between these officials, the
IA tr was sent over to the w hlte House,
where il formed the subject of con>ld-
Grafton by the cabinet meeting. 1t IS
sand III the department that the report
oi Captain Ray fully justitics al that
la~ /. cn done 10y Secretary Alger and
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn, under
tire authority conferred 10y congress y
relieve the situation IN the hlOndIke.
Worse Than Was Suspected.
The state OF affairs III the klondihe
as tl.us revealed j. worse than was sus-
cc,cd at the war department, and IN
| Ul,d - large Is the task that remains
| 10 be executed, III order To ensure the
safety Of life and property on the Amer.
lcan side Of the line alone, that the war
| DEPARTMENT officials have determined 20
advise congress as to the facts ana place
upon the legislative branch the duty #
;iovising ways and means TO meet the
eXlgcncles OF the case.
| Abstract of the Report.
The abstract OF Captain Rays report,
As iclcyraphcd by Major Robinson Is
a> follows:
Seattle. Wash. Feb. 1.-The Adjr-
tant General Of the Army. Washing
ton: Complying with the telegram of
today, five letters and two packages
from Captain =. III. Ray. addressed to
YOU in hands Of Special Courier Wells,
intercepted by me. Substance AS fol.
lows:
Latest bear date of Nov. and 3.
refers to action and attempted robbery
OF coaches, recommends that United
States government take steps to eifectu.
Alaska Of all persons not fully equipped
to last two years. Give as reason no
way 10 earn living, and that nc
placer discoveries have been made
within the last eight months, either
in Alaska or the Northwest Terri.
tory. There is no employment OF
any large number Of people III any
capacity, all values are speculative
There is no fixed standard for labor
There is not now, or likely to be within
II months, adequate or efficient mean:
of supplying people now in Alaska ol
Northwest Territory. Is Of opinion
5 that about seven per cent OF all the
people who have entered during thu
past year have earned their living anG
hundreds are now scattered along thu
river. destitute Of food, clothing ana
0 money. People coming i'll have no
, had faintest conception what to do t
$ earn living. and after spending none,
!. they bring, they become dazed AM
! helpless.
:. states rush will be great the mex
year, and any step that will preven
people from coming in their ignorauc
viii be an act Of charity.
u In view Of recent developments an
knowl, dge that the lawless are bandin
e together along the river for the purpos
II OF robbery. renew suggestion for GOV
i. ernment placing on the river sma
/. light drauSht steamers with hig
\ power, armed and used for patrol ser,
.e Ice and the placing of detachments a
.e the movement of people demands.
1t Courier sent with dispatches by Al
$ M. train TO report to General Merriam
IS Also recommends preliminary surve
10 bv Cooks inlet to the interior for Il
ii American roads.
y (signed] ROBINSON. Quartermaste
, OVER THE EDMONTON ROUT