Fort Wrangel news., 1898-06-15
WRAN0EI. CONSIDERED PROS
 PECTVELY.

The story of the premature yen- lures of Russian traders in Alaska has been intelligently read and the motives which prompted them We have found to be similar to those which have always been the impelling forces in the inya- sion of new territory The profit in furs and likelihood of finding valua ble mines and remunerative fishing grounds were the features of that long century and more, of fittings out, privation, cruelty and wrong The peculiar re sources of this region were laid bare to us so far as the coasts and adjacent waters went. The vast deposits of the precious metals were strongly suspect ed but had not until within the past year been demonstrated. The hope of quick and ample fortune has impelled thousands to rush in at ill-considered sacrifices. The difficulties to be con tended against were not understood and the result to the great majority has been and will continue to be absolute failure
 Putting aside these ephemeral ex- citements and contemplating condl- tions dispassionately we find many reasons to justify the maintenance of a commercial city at this point. Wran gel presents a we'll sheltered haIborage at the mouth of navigable river. With rail route of lf5 miles linking the river and the lake il k possible to nay igate thousands of miles upon water courses which cover thousands of square miles, If these necessary links are not built today, they will be to- morrow, and as the vast resources of the interior are opened up the means for transport will inevitably follow. The fish industry has no better field than in the waters tributary to Us. We possess evidences of the existence of mines of iron. coal and of the precious metals in numerous places contiguous to Nrangel and to tide waters. ahe climate k particularly Il well poised and healthy one. There are q very few days, if any, of either extreme heat or cold. If travellers come in the summer to enjoy the delightful scenes of the Alaskan shores, why ought not we who live here have a realizing sense of our surroundings? The gold fever will take thousands into the interior for years to come. Where many people gather, towns and cities will be built up. There is no reason to believe that Alaska will not be governed by the same laws as have been factors in the creation of all great cities and commonwealths. The much condemned bloom" is not q stranger to any civilized people. In terms boom is nothing more nor less than concurrent set of ideas carried out by great many people. No boom can exist without some strong controll- ing reasons. It does not initiate against the reasons or the facts which inspire tod people are caught in the maelstrom. 1t is natural therefore that very serious reactions occur in all cases of undue and overwrought excitement Such a reaction is inevitable as respects the great north movement. These are in cidental and spasmodic, but neverthe- less great forces i'll populating and building up.
 Wrangel is an integral in very rich setting It has long history, as west ern history goes. It is a trading and commercial point, and while it can nev- CT lean upon agriculture to find re sources within it's own territory proper, it does possess sources of wealth dis tinctly it's own. Mining has become the great profit winner within the past 20 years. The business has been re duced to almost an exact science The risks are less than those of the mer- chant endangered with credits or the farmer subject to the coquetry of the seasons. Let Us hope, therefore, that thoughtful people will we'll consider the advantages offered in Alaska to the seeker for rich placers and profitable lodges, or to the merchant who here can find the greatest fishing fields of fered by any sea upon earth. These are capital industries, sure in the years to come to be the means of building up and sustaining great prosperous con- munities.