The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-02

WASHINGTON, Feb. Gen. AIer-
ram, under instructions from Acting
secretary MeiklejOhn, of the war de-
Pdrtnent, yesterday opened at SeattIa
Lne dispatches brought by Special Mes
garments special representative in the
hIondlke, and forwarded an abstract
graph.
Actlng Secretary %Meiklejohn was so
Hlucn impressed with the statements
"lred that he submitted the dispatches
at once to Secretary Alger. who is now
convalescent at his home and aftar
consultation between these officials +ba
paper was sent over to the White house
where 1t formed the subject of con-
slderatiOn by the cabinet meeting to-
DAY. 1t is said at the department that
the report Of Capt. Ray fully justifes
al that has been done by Secretary
Alger and Assistant Secretary MeiIlIe
john, under the authority conferred by
Klondike
The report of Capt. Ray is particular
~ acceptable in view of the confIictina
statements as to conditions in the gold
fields that have been made by persons
coming out this winter, for it is not
doubted that he had broader field OF
observation than the others who have
made reports; and with the thorough
ness and caution as to exact statements
that form the guiding principles of all
army officers, when called on to make
reports in the line of duty, this report
IS taken as establishing the facts for
all official purposes.
The state of affairs in the Klondika
as thus revealed is worse rnan was sus-
pected, at the war department, and. in
deed, so large Is the task that remains
TO be executed, in order to ensure the
safety Of life and property on the
American side of the line alone, that
the war department officials have de-
termined to advise congress as to the
facts, and place upon the legislative
branch the duty Of devising ways and
means to meet the exigencies of the
case. The abstract of Capt. Rays re-
port as telegraphed by Mai. Robinson
IS as follows.
Complying with the telegram of today
five letters and two packages from Capt.
p. II. Ray, addressed to you in the hands
Of Special Courier Wells, intercepted by
me. Substance is follows
Latest being date Of Nov. and g. refers
to action and attempted robbery of caches,
recommends that United States government
take steps to effectually check immigration
to interior OF Alaska, of all persons not
fully supplied to last two years. Give as
reason no way to earn living and that
no placer discoveries have been made with
in the last eight months either in Alaska
or the Northwest territory.
There is no employment for any large
number OF people in any capacity, all val
ues are speculative. There is no fixed
standard for labor. There Is not now or
likely to be within twelve months ade-
quate or sufficient means OF supplying peo-
pie now in Alaska Northwest territory
Is Of opinion that about per cent OF all
people who have entered during the past
year have earned their living and hundreds
are now scattered along the river destitute
OF food, clothing and money. People com
ing IN nave not had the faintest conception
what to do to earn a living, and after
spending the money they bring they be-
come dazed and helpless
In view Of the recent developments and
knowledge that the lawless are banding
together along the river for the purpose OF
robbery, renew the suggestion for the gov
eminent placing on the river small light
draught steamers with high power armed
and used to patrol service and the plac-
Ing OF detachments as the movement OF
the people demands.
PORTLAND, Or, Feb THE gov
eminent Yukon relief expedition, which
was scheduled to sail from here to-
night on the steamer George w. Elder.
will probably not leave before Friday,
owing to the failure of the steamer to
return from Alaska in time The Elder
lay all day at Astoria discharging a
cargo of coal and she will not arrive
until tomorrow morning.
Gen. Merriam, commanding the de-
partment of the Columbia, will endeav-
or to hasten the departure Of the relief
expedition owing to the alarming con-
dftiOn of affairs in Alaska as set forth