The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-02
OFFICIAL FROM ALASKA.
Captain Ray Says the Worst Rumors
Sent Out Are Justified.

Washington. Feb. General Merri-
am under instructions from Acting Sec
rotary 1IeikeIjohn of the war depart
ment has opened the dispatches
brought by Special Messenger Wells
special representative in the klondlke
and forwarded an abstract of them TO
the department by telegraph from Sc
attic Acting Secretary MeikeljOhn
was so much impressed with the state
ments wired that he submitted the dis
patch at once to Secretary Alger who
is COnvalesCent at his home, from long
illness and after consultation between
these officials the paper was sent over
TO the white house where it formed the
subject of consideration by the cabinet
meeting 1t is said at the department.
that the report OF Captain Ray fully
Justifies all that has been done by Sec
rotary Alger and Assistant Secretary
MeikeljOhn under the authority con-
ferred by congress to relieve the situa-
ton in the KlOndike.
The state of affairs in Klondike as
thus revealed is worse than was SuS-
pected at the war department and in
deed, so large is the task, that remains
TO be executed in order to insure the
safety of life and property on the Amer
lean side Of the line alone that the war
department officials have concluded to
advise congress as to the facts and
place on the legislative branch the du-
~ OF devising ways and means to meet
the exigencies of the case. The abstract
OF Captain Rays report as telegraphed
by Major Robinson is as follows:
To the Adjutant General OF the Army,
Washington, D. c.
Complying with telegram of today
five letters and two packages from Cap
tain Ray addressed to you. in hands of
special courier, E H Wells. interpreted
by me Substance as follows:
Latest bear date of Nov. > and g. re-
fer to action and attempted robbery
of caches. recommend that United
states government take steps to eff
Tecrualy check immigration to interior
Alaska
piled to last two years
GIVE as reason, no way to earn a Iiv-
ing and that no placer discoveries have
been made within last eight months
either IN Alaska or the Northwest Ter
rltory- There is no employment for
any large number of people in any ca
paclIy, all values are speculative. There
IS no fixed standard for labor. There
IS not now nor likely to be within
twelve months adequate or efficient
means Tor supplying people now in
Alaska, or Northwest Territory Is or
opinion that about per cent of all peo-
PIE who have entered during the mast
year have earned their living and hun
dFeds are now scattered along the rfv-
er destitute OF food. clothing and mon
ey-
People coming in have not had faint
est conception what TO do to earn a Iiv-
ing ana after spending money they
bring, become dazed and HELPLESS
states rush viii be great next year
ana any step that VIII prevent coming
of charity.
In view of recent developments and
knowledge that the IaWIess are ban6ir7o
toSetner along the river for the purpose
OF ROBBERY renew suggestion for gov
eThInent placing on the river small light
oraft steamers with high power armed
ana used to patrol river. and the Mac
ING OF attachments as the movement of
people demands "a
courier sent with dispatches by n
Il u an IOuay 10 report to Gen Mer-
ram Also recommends preliminary
survey by Cooks inlet to the interior
AoF ali american roads (Signed.)
ROBINSON, Quartermaster