New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-02
DISTRESS IN THE ELONDIhE
A REPORT FROM THE WAR DEPART
MENT'S REPRESENTATIVE.
THE STATE OF AFFAIRS WORSE THAN HAD BEEN
SUSPECTED PREPARATIONS FOR RELIET

EXPEDITIONS FULLY JUSTIFIED.
Washington. Feb 1.-General Merriam. under
instructions from Acting Secretary MeikeJohn' yes
,erdav onened at Seattle the dispatches brought
bv epecial messenger from Captain Ray, the De-
pa-tments representative in the Klondike. ana
forwarded an abstract OF them 10 the War De-
oartment by telegraph. Mr.. Meiklejohn was so
much impressed with the statements that ne SUD
ni;ted the dispatch ut once to Secretary AigeT' ana
after consultation the paper was sent TO me h'e
House. where 4 was considered at the OaoIhe'
meeting to-day. 1t Is said at the Department that
the report fully jusfes all that has been done by
Secretary Alger and Assistant Secretary MelkIe-
John under the authority conferred by Congress
to relieve the distress In the Klondke.
The report of Captain Ray IS particularly ac-
ccptahle IN view OF the conflicting statements re-
eardlng the conditions in the gold fields made by
r,,s cornini, ont this winter for # is not doubt
"a that he had a broader field OF observation than
the others who have made reports ana with Inc
thoroughness and caution as 10 exact statement
that form the guiding principles OF all Army ON
GERS when called on 20 make reports ID the me
of duty this report is taken rs establishing the
cote for all official purposes The Of affairs
IN the Klondike as thus revealed Is worse than
Was suspected al the War Department. and IN
deed so large is the task that remains TO be exc
cuied in order 10 insure the safety OF He ana
property on the American side Of the Line alone
that the war Department officials have concluded
10 advise Congress as 10 the facts. and place on
the legislative branch the duty Of devising ways
and means 10 meet the eXisencies or the case.
The abstract OF Captain Rays report, as teIe-
eraphed by Major Robinson IS as follows:
Seattle, Wash. January 81, 1888.
The Adjutant-General OF the Army washing
Conplying with telegram OF to-day, five letters
and Two packages from Captain !. II. Kay, az
dressed 70 YOU. in hands Of special courier; T. H..
Latest bear date of November 2 and = refer 10
action and attempted robbery or caches, recon-
mend that United States Government take. steISs
C0cctuallv to check immigration TO Interior OF
two years Give reason no way 70 earn a ~
}nc ana that placer discoveries nave 0een ma
within last eight months, either In Alaska or 'he
Northwest Territory - 49,, ,,,, 9.
Of people IN any capacity. Al NaIueS ere s,rI, -
'otive There is no fixed standard for labor Ihere
is not now or likely TO be within Twelve months
adequate or efficient means OF suptyng pop,
opinion that about per cen: OF all people VINO
have entered during last year have earned tntlr
living and hundreds are now scattered along me
river destitute Of food. clothing and money Peo-
What 10 do 10 earn a living. and after spending
money they bring become dazcd ana ncpIeSs.
States rush will be great the next year ana any
stcO that will prevent people from coming In ther
In view of recent developments and knowledge
mat fhe lawlcss are banding together along ne
river Tor purpose y robbery renew suggestion for
Government placing on the river smaH-draHent
Tho movement Of people demands.
courier sent with dispatches by p. m ualn 10
dav 10 report TO General Merriam. Also recon
raeudS preliminary survey by COOKS Inlet 10 'he
Interior for all American roads: <-..-.-...o-
ROBINSON. Quartermaster.