Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-07

into a powerful element in the far north
west. The total native population of the
Aleutians numbers about 2,5o0. and Is dis
tributed throughout the various islands OF
the chain.
These islands are practically an interrupt
ed extension of the Alaska peninsula. Com
mencng with Unimak Island. which lies
within five miles of the mainland. the chain
extends in graceful curve 100 miles to
the westward The total area of the Aleu-
tian archipelago is 1850 square miles, or
more than one-third the size of our newly
acquired Island of Porto Rico The entire
chain is subdvided into four lesser groups
separated only by narrow passages. The
largest of these divisions is the Fox group
on the extreme east, which numbers some
thing like thirty-one islands, including I'm
alaska and the previously described town
of that name. A few miles from the latter
settlement on the same Island is situated
the government naval supply station,
known as Dutch Harbor. This point is
used as rendezvous for the vessels of
Eerins sea patrol and also, in connection
with the town of Unalaska, as the base
OF supplies for all the region to the north
ward. In the midst of Unalaska Island is
situated the celebrated Makushm volcano
with an altitude of 5.691 feet. This vol
cano mas had numerous periods of activity
was in 1865.
Volcanic Islands.
Inc Fox Islands also include the famous
Voicano Islands of St John, the Theologian
ana the -Four Craters. The first of these
VOLCANOES has most singular history, hav-
ing been thrown up out of the sea during
violent earthquake in those regions dur
ing the month of May 1896. Its height at
that time was estimated a barely 100 feet.
and the most remarkable feature in con-
nectlon with It's creation was its subse-
Quent gradual growth. This ceased in 1923,
by which time it had attained its present
heIsht OF LOO feet. In appearance it re-
semb!es great pyramid, with deep assures
extending vertically along its sides. For a
period OF four years after its appearance
This strange volcano constantly emitted
flames, smoke and steam. and IN 1906 great
volumes of lava gushed from its crater and
flowed down its sides into the sea
Adjacent to the Fox Islands, on the west,
lies the Andreanofski group, numbering in
all about thirty islands. This group is of
importance, because of its including Burned
Island whereon is situated Goreloi volcano,
at present in a state of suppressed activity.
1t is the Hottest peak of the Aleutian archi-
peiago, having an altitude of 5000 feet. 1t
represents an immense smoking cone,
eighteen miles in circumference. Among
the islands of this group numerous hot
springs abound. their temperature ranging
from ~ degrees Fahrenheit to lukewarm.
The mineral properties of these waters
consist principally of lime and sulphur In
some cases-as, for example on the Island
of kanaga of this group-the water is suf-
hcently hot for the boiling of meat, and is
so utilized by the natives.
Other Groups.
The next division in order are the Rat
Islands, fifteen in number, which in turn
are succeeded by the Nearer Islands. at
the extreme westerly termination of the
Aleutian chain. OF the five islands which
comprise this group the largest and most
westerly is Attou. The inhabitants of this
island, while related to the Aeuts, are far
below the racial average from a stand
point of civilization. Upon viewing Attou
from the sea, though its entire area is visi-
Bile, no dwellings are to be Seen the inhabi
tants burrow ng beneath the surface of the
ground, much after the manner of prairie
dogs.
At a distance of only 100 miles from Attou
are situated the komandOrski group. con-
sisting of Bering and Cooper Islands. Geo
logically this group forms portion of the
A.eutian archipelago, being a continuation
of the latter The Komandorski Islands
are named for Commander Boring, the IA
nous Russian explorer, who discovered
them, together with the Aleutians to the
eastward, in 1141 In the same year he
died on the larger Of the two islands, which
likewise bears his name. From Boring
Island to Cape kamtschatka, on the Sibe
rian coast, it is but fifty miles. Hence it
will be seen that the great Aleutian archi
pelagO IN its entirety constitutes a verita
bic giants causeWay, nearly LOO miles in
length, connecting the shores of two vast
continents.