The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-02
KLoNDIKERS IN NEED
sITUATION IN THE GOLD DIGGINGS
REVIEWED BY CAPTAIN RAY.
Many People PenniIess, without Food
and Unable to Find Work of
ANY Description.

WASHINGTON, Feb. General Mer-
riam, under Instructions from acting Sec
rotary Meikeljohn, OF the War Department,
yesterday opened at Seattle the dispatches
from Captain Ray, the special representa-
tive Of the War Department in the klon-
dixie, and forwarded an abstract of them
to the department by telegraph Acting
Secretary Meikeljohn was so much inn
pressed with the statement wired that he
submitted the dispatch a once to Secretary
Alger who is convalescing at his home
from long illness, and. after consultation
between these officials, the paper was sent
over to the White House, where it formed
the subject Of consideration by the Cabinet
meeting to-day.
1t is said at the department that the re-
port of Captain Ray fully justifies all that
has been done by Secretary Alger and As
sistant Secretary Meil1eljohn under the au-
thority conferred by Congress to relieve the
situation in the Kiondike The report of
Captain Ray is particularly acceptable in
view of the conflicting 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 broad
er 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 fact for all official pur-
poses. The state of affairs in the Klon
dixie, as thus revealed, is worse than was
suspected 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 American side
of the line alone, that the department Off
Gals have concluded to advise Congress as
to the facts and place on the legislative
branch the duty of devising ways and
means to meet the exigencies Of the case.
The abstract of Captain Rays report, as
telegraphed by Major Robinson from Seat
tie. is as follows:
COMPLYING with your telegram of to-
Captain P. II. Ray, addressed to you. in
the hands of Special Courier E. FL. Wells,
were intercepted by me. In substance they
are as follows: The latest bear date of
Nov. and and refer to action and at
tempted robbery of caches, recommend that
the United States government take steps
to effectually check immigration to the in
terror of Alaska of all persons not fully
supplied to last two years. They give as
reason that there is no way to earn a liv-
been made within the la st eight months,
either in Alaska or the Northwest Terri
tory. Inere 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
likely to be within twelve months adequate
or efficient means of supplying people now
in Alaska or the Northwest Territory. Capt
Ray is of opinion that about Z 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. Peo-
pie coming in have not had the faintest
conception what to do to earn a living, and
after spending their money they become
dazed and helpless. He states the rush will
be great the 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, Capt. Ray renews the suggestion
for the government placing on the river
small, light draught steamers, with high
power. armed and used to patrol river, and
the placing of detachmentS as the move
ment Of people demands.
"a courier was sent with dispatches by
p. m train to-day to report to General
Merriam. Captain Ray, also recommends
preliminary survey by Cooks inlet to the
interior for all American roads,"