The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-02-02
DISTRESS IN THE aoLD r1RLDS.
A Warming From the Government Agent
 in Alaska.


 in Alaska.
 Washington, Feb. 1.-General Merri- am, under instructions from Acting Secretary Meiklejohn, yesterday open ed at Seattle the dispatches brought by Wells, the special messenger from Captain Ray, the departments repre- sentative in the Klondike, and for warded an abstract of them to the war department by telegraph. MT Meikle- john was so much impressed with the statements telegraphed that he sub mitted the dispatch at once to Secre- tary Alger, who is now convalescing at his home, and, after consultation between these officials, the paper was sent over to the white house, where IL | formed the subject of consideration py the cabinet meeting to-day. It IS salo at the department that the report fui- | ly justifies all that has been done py Secretary Alger and Assistant Secre- tary Meiklejohn, under the authority conferred by congress, to relieve the l situation in the Klondike.
 | The report of Captain Ray is partic- ularly acceptable in view of the con- | flicting statements as to conditions in the gold fields that have been made | by persons coming out this winter; Tor it is not doubted that he had ss broad CT field of observation than the others who have made reports, and with the thoroughness and caution as to exact statements that form the guiding pr1n- ciples of all army officers when called on to make reports in 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 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 war department officials have con cluded 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. The abstract of Captain Rays report, as telegraphed under date of January 31, from Seattle, to the adJu- tant general of the army, is as follows: Complying with telegram of to-day, l five letters and two packages from Captain F. H. Ray addressed to you, in hands of Special Courier E. H. Wells, intercepted by me. Substance as follows: Latest bear date of Noyem- Der and 3, refer to action and at | tempted robbery of coaches, recom- mend that United States government itake steps to effectually check immi- Igration to interior of Alaska of all per sons not fully supplied 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 north west territory.
 '"There is no employment for any large number of people in any capac- lity; 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 the northwest territory. Is of opinion that about per cent. of all people who have Ientered during past year have earned ltheir living, and hundreds are now scattered along the river destitute o1 l food, clothing and fiioney. People com ling in have not had faintest conception
 what to do to earn living, and after spending money they bring become dazed and helpless.
 .tState rush will be great the next lyear, and any step that will prevent people from coming in their ignorance will be an act of charity. In view oi trecent developments and knowledge
 that the lawless are banding together
 along the river for purpose of robbery lrenew suggestion for government plac- ing on the river small draft steamers with high power, armed and used tc lpatrol river, and the placing of de
 tachments as the movement of people
 demands.
 Courier sent with dispatches by lp. m train to-day to report to Genera
 Merriam; also recommended prelimi.
 nary survey by Cooks Inlet to the in
 terior for all American roads