The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-02
CONDITIONS IN KLONDIKE.
official Information Is of Dis
couraginl Character.
CONGRESS IS TO BE ASKED FOR HELp
Suggested TINT Immigration lie
Checked Except the Prospectors
HIVE Two Years Supplies.

| Washington, February 1.--General Mer-
iian, under instructions frcm Acting Sec
rotary Meiklejohn of the war department,
opened at Seattle the dispatches brought
| by special reports from the Kloadike and
| forwarded them in abstract by telegram.
| Acting Secretary Meilslejohn was so much
impressed by the statements wired that
| he submitted the dispatch at once to Sec
rotary Alger, who is now convalescen, at
his home from a long illness, and after
consultation between the officials the paper
was sent over to the White House where
it formed the subject of consideration by
a cabinet meeting today. 1t is said at the
department that the report of Captain
Ray fully justifies all that has been done
by Secretary Alger and Assistant Secretary
Meiklejohn and the authority conferred by
congress to relieve the situation in tho
Klondike. The report of Captain Ray is
particularly acceptable in view of the con-
fiicting statements as TO conditions in the
gold fields that have been made By per-
sons coming out this winter, for ii is not
doubted that he had a broader field of OBJ
servation than amy Others who have made
reports and with the thoroughness as to
exact statements that form the u.ding
principles of all army officers when caieu
on TO make reports on the line of duty this
report is taken as establishing the facts
for all Official purposes.
The state of affairs in the Klondike as
thus reported is worse than was suspected
at the war department and indeed so laree
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 officials have
concluded to advise congress as to the
facts and place upon the executive branch
the duty of devising ways and means TO
meet the exigencies of the case Abstract
of Captain Rays report as telegraphed by
Major Robinson is as follows:
The Adjutant General of the Army, WASH
ington:
Seattle, Wash, January 3l.-Complying
with the telegram of today five letters ana
two packages from Captain p. H Ray
addressed TO you in hands of sqe-ial
courier, Il. S. Wells, Intercepted by me.
Substance as follows:
--latest date of November aud refer
to action and attempted robbery of caches;
recommends that the United States gov
eminent take steps to efiectually check
Immigration to interior of Alaska of all
persons not fully supplied to last two
years.
Gives as reason no way to earn a liv-
ing and no placer discoveries have been
made within the last eight months, either
in Alaska or the Northwest Territory,
There is no employment for any large
number of people in any capacity, all val
ues are speculative. There is no fixed
standard of labor There is not now nor
likely to be within twelve months adequate
or efficient means OF supplying psop'e In
Alaska or Northwest Territory. Is of the
opinion that about per cent OF all peo-
pie who have entered during past year
have earned their living and hundreds are
now scattered along the river destitute
of food. clothing md money People com-
ing In have not had faintest conception
Of what to do TO earn living. and aft
spending money they become dazed ana
helpless.
States rush viii be great next year
and any step that will prevent people
from coming In their ignorance vii be
an act of charity. In view OF recent deyei-
opments and Knowledge that the lawless
are banding together along the river for
the purpose of robbery renew suggestion
for government placing on the river small
draft steamers used 20 patrol the river
and the placing Of detachnenfs as the
movement of people demands.
Courier sent with dispatches by p. m.
train today to report to General Merriam.
AIsa recommends preliminary survey by
Cooks inlet 10 the interior for all Ameri-
can roads
Signed: Robinson. Quartermaster'