The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-12

acters Yet Threaten PrOvisions-
Only 800 Tons to support the Hun
CRY People From Dawson Until
the River Opens-Military Govern
ment Necessary, With Power to
Hunt Rumans 10 the Death.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE war de-
partment today made public advices re-
ceived from Capt. Phil Ray, of the
Eighth infantry. who was sent to Alaska
TO report on conditions In the mining
country. The reports embrace a period
running from october TO November 3,
and are dated from Circle City and Fort
Yukon. They show a very serious state
OF affairs: that trouble is threatened al
various places. and that there Is serious
danger at some points of lack Of food.
owing in large measure 10 the failure
OF the transportation companies 10 get
sufficient supplies.
In report dated Circle City. October 3.
Capt. Ray recommends that, should the
government desire to establish a post on
the upper river. the mouth OF Mission or
American creek be chosen as the site.
with sub post. II necessary. at Circle
Cty. The best interests of the service.
he says. require permanent garrisons to
be located well away from mining towns.
so that the troops. If required 70 act. VIII
not be biased by local influences
Lack of Food Causes Suffering.
On the food question he says
THE question OF food here is a very
serious one. and the action Of the North
American Transportation & Trading Com
pany is causing much friction. l used
my best endeavors TO reconcile all differ
ences peaceably and get all people who
are without provisions down 10 Fort Yu-
kop as soon as possible. where there Is an
abundance Of food. i learn that while
food is scarce at Dawson. the miners IN
the outlying camps are fairly well sup
Piled. The stores ftwol are selling very
conservatively The eating houses are all
closed save one.
while | consider the situation critical.
/ do not believe there will be any great
loss of life, beyond that incident 10 eli
mate so rigorous as this. That there viii
be much suffering along the river and the
trail. owing 10 the rashness and ignorance
OF people unaccustomed 10 this climate no
well-informed person here Will deny. but
there Is nothing that should cause undue
anxiety or alarm among people In ths
states who have friends IN this country.
There are fabulous stories being circulated
and Will be published about the prices paid
fer food. have verified Instances where
y Il t4rs+
such cases are rare and were outside deals.
and not the prevailing price"
Miners Appeal to Capt. Rny.
A report dated Circle City. October 6.
deals with the subject of miners meet
ings. several Of which Capt. Ray witnessed
Capt Ray was able TO persuade the men
At Circle city 10 take no more provisions
than they needed to save themselves from
starvation. and that they agreed that the
agent OF the company should open the
compauys siorehouses and check the
stores landed by the committee from The
company's steamer. no part Of such stores
u he removed without cash payman; at
the company's own price.
On another occasion the trouble was duo
10 the fact that the master of the Weare
would rot proceed II Fort Yukon wit.
fifty people belonging in Dawson who
had come down as a volunteer crew at
the request Of Vice President Healy 10
handle her for the round trip 50 THAI they
could obtain winter supplies The men ap-
pealed 10 Capt. Ray, who says:
- took them before the agent of the
company. who. after hearing their case.
admitted that lhs company was rcsronst.
bic. that Re woCid furnish them shelter
ana food unail such time as TIE river
should become passahie ana thev caulf
reach F0rt Yukon. The whole matter IA :
been much sgg-a vated by the drunken
hess ard intfhcicncy - the master mariner
ot the Wsare.
Great injury Rg,l result ta the rarnroar-
cal interests along tnfs sreat highway y
some radical sieps 8-c uot taken 80 pro
tvct 3N persons from sil--a Interference
with their legitimate business. A. .he
same time tAeTg should be some poner 70
force common carriers TO TRANSPORT goods
foF any person offeFin-- ~ the present
teer of tae TRANSPORTATION comma rfes
Will transport q qouad g fr~.gh. for other
traders or private parties fcrring all peo-
PIE coming into the territory 10 he uho'lv
dcpenden, upon Their stores S5r their sup
Plies al thetT prices.
A large majority ~ the peopte noyv
here are pvaceabie aE1 iaw-ah4dinE hat IN
tie absence - any person IA authority 20
appeal 20 fer the settlement - the many
differences. tacy are compelled - a. ont
side of the law ard when Influenced by
passion. prejudice or igucr wtl commit
acts THAI teapsrstixe xreai financial frter-
e<is and from wsich theTc i no apvea!
White here arr constantly tel1g appealed
ie Na; ear on.y So as an arbitrator az
mediator in tse cause of peace
Miners ccsvr.sin shat they Garnet r4r-
.c>t auy --tle IL 5he.T mine e7xs1r . tAe
ahasace q arr land afF3ee- Tee a@Dar.fsen,z g
are sending cut commissioners. rscr.vers
and registers. who cannot 2aa1.rv sc- 81
vlSGS !saseEs, the aT.aslSsl oze ee.ax sass