The San Francisco call., 1898-01-06
Will Pilot GOvernm ent Relief Forces to
 Dawson.
General Merriann's Conferences With the Intrepid
 KlOndiker.
Great Activity at Vancouver Barracks for an Early Start of the
 Expedition.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SEATTLE, Jan. 5.-Awakened to the realization of an impending food fam inc in the Klondike district, through facts sent out by Sam Wall, The Call correspondent, the Government is act lively arranging to send a relief expe- dition into Dawson City.
 Jack Dalton. so famous in connec- tion with Alaskan history, has just re- turned to this city from Vancouver Barracks, where he had a two days consultation with Brigadier-Genera1 Merriam Of the Department of the Co., lumbia. Conferences between Captain w. D. Robinson. assistant quartermas- ter stationed in Seattle, and Dalton, are of daily occurrence. Dalton will likely lead the expedition, which 1t is believ- ed will be on the move within the next two or three weeks.
 Captain David l.. Brainard of the Subsistence Department. U. s. A.. who will accompany the expedition, arrived at Vancouver Barracks yesterday from Chicago, where he inspected the stores that are to be taken to Dawson. After consultation with General Merriam at Vancouver, it is expected that Captain Brainard will come to Seattle to con-
 
 concerned in the expedition.
 Captain Ray, who was sent with Lieutenant Richardson into the Yukon last summer, is believed to be on his way out of the klondike over the ice and snow. Captain Ray, it is under stood. was to secure dog teams at Cir cle City and as soon as the rivers froze was to start for the coast, bring ing a full report of conditions as they existed. both as regards food and the need of Government troops to main tain order on the American side. He is anXiously awaited, for it is believed that on his report as to the condition of the trails. etc, will depend to some extent the movements of the War De- partment
 In view of the negotiations that have been going on it was stated to-day by well informed people that in all prob ability Dalton would be called on by ! Secretary Alger to lead the expedition ! into the klondike. On Christmas day Dalton, at the request of General Mer- 1 riam and Captain w. w. Robinson, left ] this city for Vancouver to consult with the former. Dalton's services. it is un- | derstood, are in great demand by the ! Government, and it Is stated that ii ! the contract to freight the supplies in- ] to Dawson is not awarded to him if 1 will be because his services are held at too high a figure
 Dalton, if any arrangement between himself and the Government is carried out, will, it is understood. take the re l lief supplies to the Klondike at a stip- ! ulated rate per pound, acting as freighter What portion of the com l plement of men and horses is to bS furnished him by the Government ha: not yet been given out.
 General Merriam also consulted Dal ton with reference to what trail wa: best adapted to the objects of the ex petition. and what means of convey. ance were best suited to the purpose! | of the Government. Dalton refuse. to state just what passed between hin i and General Merriam during his las visit to Vancouver. However, h. 1 strongly intimates that he will be con
 nected with the expedition of takinl ! into the grubless camp the supplies o | prcvender which the Government ha: ordered purchased for the needy min ! CTS.
 Considering the fact that Dalton hal been in the business of taking men anC supplies over his trail into the golC fields for several years and has in tha
 time won an enviable reputation fo
 sagacity and courage under advers, circumstances, it is natural to presum'
 that the officials of the War Depart inent wish to have him assist in takin,
 the supplies to Dawson.