Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-08
IS THE NAKED TRUTH
Facts Show Serious Condition
OF Affairs in Klondike.
CAPTAIN RAY MAKES HIS REPORT.
Need ofPrompt Relief shoyvn-xo way
for Men to Earn a Living-He
Urges u Check to Immigrn-
ton for IA Time.

Washington, Feb. 2.-Gen. Merriam,
under instructions from Acting Secre-
tary Meikeljohn- of the war depart
ment, Monday opened at Seattle the dis
patches brought by Special Messenger
Wells from Capt. Ray, the departments
special representative in the Klondike,
and forwarded an abstract of them
to the department by telegraph. Act
ing Secretary Meikeljohn was so much
impressed by the statements wired
that he submitted the dispatch at once
TO Secretary Alger, who is now conva-
lescent at his home from long illness,
and after consultation between these
two 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 Capt. Ray fully
justifes 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.
Report Is Most Acceptable.
The report of Capt. Ray is particu-
iai dSSCPtdDiS, III view Vi lue cOu.
1licting 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 a broader
field of observation than the others
who have made reports, and with the
thoroughness and caution as to exact
statements that form the guiding prin-
ciples 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.
Worse Than Was Expected.
The state of affairs in the INlondike
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
upon the legislative branch the duty of
devising ways and means to meet the
eNigencies of the case. The abstract of
Capt. Rays report, as telegraphed by
Maj. Robinson, is as follows:
Seattle, Wash. Jan. 31.-The adjutant
general of the army, Washington, D. c.
Complying with telegram of Tuesday, five
letters and two packages from Capt. P. H.
Ray. addressed to you in hands of Special
Courier e. H. Wells, intercepted by me-
Substance as follows:
Latest bears date of November 2 and g.
refers to action and attempted robbery of
Catches. recommends that United States
government take steps to effectually
m pierra to i,fa of
of all persons not fully supplied to last two
years.
Gives as reason no way to earn living
and that no placer discoveries have been
made within last eight months either in
Alaska or the Northwest territory.
There is no employment for any large
number of people in any capacity. All values
are speculative. There is no fixed standard
for labor There is not now or likely to be
within u months adequate or efficient
means of supplying people now in Alaska
or Northwest territory. Is of opinion that
about seven per cent. of all people who
have entered during past year have earned
their living and hundreds are now scat
tered along the river destitute of food,
clothing and money. People coming in
have not had faintest conception what to
do to earn living and after spending
their money they become daZed and help
less.
States rush will be great next year and
any step that will prevent people from
coming in their ignorance will be an act of
charity.
In view of recent developments and
knowledge that the lawless are banding to-
gether along the river for the purpose of
robbery renews suggestion for government
placing on the river small light draft
steamers with high power. armed and used
to patrol river. and the placing of detach-
ments as the movement of people demands.
Courier sent with dispatches by four p.
m. train Tuesday to report to Gen. Mer-
riam. Also recommends preliminary sur
vey by Cooks Inlet to the interior for all
American roads.
(Signed ROBINSON,
Qua terma Ster