The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-02-02
Csptsia Rays Report on Alaska ss
Interpreted.
NO EMPLOYMENT FOR LABOR.
TsO Hssy rsSpls BsEtruptsd-Dsa't Ua-
dsrsssad Situatiss--TSs Years Grub
Hsessssry--Bis Eush is Sphns

Washington. February l.--General Mer-
riam yesterday opened at Seattle the dis
patches brought by speciai Messenger
Wells from Captain Ray. the department
special representative IN the Klondike.
and telegraphed an abstract TO the de-
partmenL Acting Secretary MelkelJohn
was - much Impressed with the state
ments wired that he submitted the dis
patch at once TO Secretary Alger. and the
paper vas finally sent 10 the White HoWe.
where It formed the subject Of conslders-
ton az the cabinet meeting today.
II is said ute report fully justifea ali
that has been done 70 relieve the sltua~
ton In the Klondike. The report is par
dcularIy acceptable In view OF the con-
nscting statements as 10 conditions In the
gold fields. for Il Is not doubted that Cap
tain Ray had broader field Of Observa-
lion than others who made reports. This
report Is taken as establishing facts Tor
all Official purposes
The state Of Affairs in the Klondlke. as
thus revealed. ls worse than was sus-
pected at the war department.. 50 large
Is the task that remains to be executed,
In order to insure the safety Of life and
property on the American side alone, that
the war department officials nave con-
cluded to advise congress as TO the f4cts
and place upon the legislative brancnes
tho duty OF devising ways and means 70
meet the eXigencies OF the situation.
Abstract OF Rays repOrt-Seattle. TO
the acknowledgement OF the army. Wash
lngtoa:
Complying with the teiegrams Of TO-DAY
five leJters and two packets from Cap
tain Ray. addressed TO you. in the hands
OF Special Courier T. II. Wells. were In.
tespreied oy ne. 1'ne substance Is ~
ols0ws: The latest bears date November
and g. and refer to the action and at
tempted ROBBERY Of eaches, and recon-
mend uhat the Unted States government
take steps to effectually check the immi-
grafton 10 the interior OF Alaska " all
persons not bully supplied with food TO
last two years. and gives as a reason
thar there N no way % earn living In
the places where new discoveries have
been made within the last eight months.
either in Alaska o. the Northwest Ter
ritory. There Is no employment for any
large number OF people in any capacity.
An values are speculative. There IS no
fixed price for labor There Is not now.
or Liable to be within twelve months,
efficient means for supplying people now
Is ot the opinion that about per cent. or
all tho people entering during the past
year have earned their living and nun
dreds are no scattered along the rivers
destitute Of food, clothing and money.
People coming In have not the faintest
what to do to cara living
and after spending the money they bring.
become dazed and helpless. He states
the rush will be great next year and any
step that WIN prevent the people coming
in through ignorance will be an act OF
charity. In view Of recent developments
and knowledge, the lawless are banding
together along the river for the purpose
Of robbery and renews the suggestion for
the government TO place on the river
small light draft steamers with high pow
er armed and used to patrol the river and
the placing Of detachments as the move
ment Of the people demands.
The courier sent with dispatches by the
I p. m, train today to report to General
also recommends rhe prelimln-
ary survey by Cooks Inlet to the inte-
rior for al-Amegtcan roads.
CSigned) ROBINSON, Quartermaster."