The age-herald., 1898-02-02
THOSE WITHOUT SUPPLIES
Sufficient to Last THO Years Should
 Be DobaFFed.
IS ABSOLUTELY NO EMPLOYMENT
Not Likely to Be Means to Support the Army ofSpeculators For the Coming Twelve Months-A Band of Robbers
 Are at Work.

Washington, Feb. 1.-General Merriam, under instructions from Acting Secretary Meikeljohn, of the war department. yes tered opened at Seattle the dispatches brought by special representatives in the Klondike and forwarded an abstract of them to the department by telegraph.
 Acting Secretary Meikeljohn was so much impressed with the statements wired that he submitted the dispatches at once to Secretary Alger, who is now convalescing at his home from long illness, and after consultation between these officials, the paper was sent over to the white house, where 1t formed the subject of considera- tion by the cabinet meeting today. It is said at the department that the report of Captain Ray fully justifies all that has been done by Secretary Alger and Assis- tant Secretary Meikeljohn under the au- thority conferred by congress to relieve the situation in the Klondike.
 Worse Than First Thought
 The report of Captain Ray is particularly acceptable in view of the conflicting state ments as to the conditions in the gold fields that have been made by persons coming out this winter, for it is not doubted that he had broader field of observation than the others, who have made reports and with the thoroughness and caution as to exact statements that form guiding prin- ciple of all army officers when called on to make reports in the line of duty, this re- port is taken as establishing the fact for all official purposes. The state of affairs in the Klondike, as thus revealed, Is worse than was suspected at the war department and, indeed so large is the task that re- mains to be executed in order to insure the safety of life and property on the American side of the line alone that the department officials have concluded to ad- wise congress as to the facts and place upon the legislative branch the duty of devising ways and means to meet the ex- agencies of the case. An abstract of Cap tain Rays report recommends that the United States government take steps to effectually check immigration to interior of Alaska of all persons not having enough supplies to last two years
 Give as reason no way to earn a living and that no placer discoveries have been made within last eight months, either in Alaska or the northwest territory.
 There Is No Employment
 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 twelve months adequate or efficient means of supplying people now in Alaska or northwest territory. Is of opinion that about per cent. of all peo- pie 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 having not had the faintest conception what to do to earn living, and after spending money they become dazed and helpless.
 In view of recent developments and knowledge that the lawless are banding together along the river for the purpose of robbery, renew suggestions for gove n- ment placing on the river small light draught steamers with high power, armed and to patrol river, and the placing of detachments as the movement of people demand