Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1898-02-02
Captain Rays Report Outlines q
Very Serious Condition in
Klondike
N Is 80 Bad the Matter win
Again Dc Laid Before
Congress
Synopsis Photographed to che
War Department by General
Merriam.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2.-Geueral @er'
siAm, under instructions from Acting
Secretary AEsiksjOhn Of che wax de.
partment, opsned ct Seattle the dis
patches brouGhs by Special Messenger
Wells from CapeAAn Ray, the Depart
msnt's special representative in the
Klondika. and forwarded en- abstract Of
them TO the department BY telegraph.
Acting Secretary MeikaeSOhn was 90
much impressed with the statements
wired that he submitted the dispatch
&C once TO Secretary Alger. who 10 now
couvalescant ct his home. and after
consultation between these officials, the
paper was sent over 10 the White House,
where Is formed the subject Of Consid.
Grafton by the cabinet meeting. 1e 10
said at the 1depaxtment that the report
Of Captain Ray fully justi6es all that
has been done by Secretary Alger and
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn, under
the authority conferred by congress to
relieve the situation in the Klondike.
Worse Than Was Suspected.
The state of affairs in the 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 ensure the
safety of life and property on the Amer
lean side of the line alone, that the war
department officials have determined 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.
Abstract of the Report
The abstract of Captain Rays report,
as telegraphed by Major Robinson is
as follows:
Seattle, Wash, Feb. 1.-The Adju-
tant General of the Army, Washing
ten: Complying with the telegram of
today, five letters and two packages
from Captain P. H. Ray, addressed to
you in hands of Special Courier Wells,
intercepted by me. Substance as fol-
lows:
Latest bear date Of Nov. 3 and 8,
refers to action and attempted robbery
of coaches, recommends that United
States government take steps to etfectu-
ally check immigration to interior of
Alaska of all persons not fully equipped
to last two years. Give as reason no
way to earn living, and that no
placer discoveries have been made
within the last eight months, either
in Alaska or the Northwest Terri
tory. There is no employment of
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
IL months, adequate or efficient means
of supplying people now in Alaska or
Northwest Territory. Is of opinion
that about seven per cent of all the
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 coming in have not
had faintest conception what to do to
earn aliYing, and after spending money
they bring, they become dazed and
helpless.
States rush viii be great the next
year, and any step that will prevent
people from coming in their ignorance
viii be an act Of charity.
In view of recent Developments and
knowledge that the lswless are banding
together along the river for the purpose
of robbery, renew suggestion for gov
ernment placing on the. river small
light draught steamers with high
power, armed and used for patrol serv.
ice and the placing Of detachments as
the movement of people demands
Courier sent with dispatches by p.
m. train to report to General Merriam.
Also recommends preliminary survey
by Cook 8 inlet to the interior for all
American roads.
[signed] ROBINSON Quartermaster.