The San Francisco call., 1898-11-28
ALASKAN AFFAIRS.

"A NOTABLE feature ot the annual report of the / \ Secretary of the Interior, which has just been
 made public, IS the prominence given to Alaskan affairs and the space devoted to considera
 ton of the needs and the prospects of the Territory Before the Klondike excitement of last year Alaska could hardly get recognition at Washington but the officials of the Interior Department make her the subject of host of recommendations.
 The first feature of Alaskan conditions referred to i. the difficulty Of preventing the smuggling of liquor into the country This difficulty is likely to increase as the population increases The Governor of the Territory IS quoted favoring high license law as means of putting an end to smuggling, but 1t is safe prediction that the higher the license the larger will be the amount of smugged liquor in the country. It has been found impossible to prevent the illicit importation of liquor into districts where it's use is prohibited when they are so we'll policed as Maine and Kansas, and it is safe to say the only way to regulate the traffic in a country like Alaska will be to make the license low that the legitimate dealer can compete with the smuggler and drive him out of business
 By the imposition of high license the Secretary believes there could be raised in Alaska revenue of $2oo,ooo annually. To that sum $5o,ooo could be added by tax on salmon, and probably $Iooooo more by wharfage duties. The Secretary however announces his opposition to the enactment of any system of taxation upon the Territory until land laws have been provided which will enable settlers to ac- qure titles and make homes for themselves A sangune view is taken of the resources of the country outside of its mineral wealth It is stated that many sections of the Territory are shown to be suitable for agricultural purposes and that with proper cattle be raised in the milder dis trcts The report adds: "It cannot be doubted that in the of time herds of reindeer will cover the plains of Northern Alaska, and few thousands of dollars spent in helping the Esquimaux to ob- tain herds will the expenditure of many thou sands in the future"
 The rapid increase of the trade of Alaska has brought with 1t necessity for the erection of more Lighthouses along the and the establishment of a better mail service. Strong ground is taken by the report in favor of granting the people of the Terri tory representation in Congress, and is pointed that there is needed enlargement of administrative authority to the local government and the extension of land laws the settled portions of the l region.
 It will be that the development and organiza- ton of northern possessions entail great many problems and a considerable cost of money. Nothing be gained, however, by posponing the settlement of any of them. Representation in Congress, some thing of local self-government and liberal land laws such as conceded to other Territories ought to be granted to all parts of Alaska where there is a considerable number of Americans residing and working. The region promises to be rich, and a full opportunity and encouragement should be given to American energy and enterprise to develop its re- sources to the uttermost