New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
MEMBERS OF THE SAMOAN COMMISSION
WELL KNOWN IN WASHINGTON.
MORE SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITIONS TO BE SENT TO
ALASKA - EDoUARD RODS VISIT THE
GUARDIAN OF wAsHINGTON's TOMB.

Selner IN washington early In the week. ana lhe
few days they spent here were both pleasant and
profitable. They all we'll known at the
capital the American Commissioner having
been for some years in the diplomatic service,
and the English and German Commissioners
connected with the embassies OF their respective
countries
Bartlett Trip, who is the senior member OF
the Commission in point Of years, is a citizen
OF South Dakota, and has played a conspcu-
Gus part in the political history of that State
He is a man Of affairs well as a politician,
and made a most acceptable and efficient rep
resentative of this Government at the Court of
Vienna Mr.. Trips appointment is partcu-
larry acceptable to officials of the State De-
partment, and they regard his selection as an
admirable ore.
The British Commissioner, C. ~ E. Eliot. is
son Of the Rev. f. Eliot, of Middlebrook. Jer-
sey. an alumnus of Oxford a scholar of Ballio
College and Fellow of Trinity In the twelve
years he has been connected with the diplomatic
service he has attained unusual distinction. and
just a year ago was made a Commander of
the Bath, an order never bestowed except for
notable service to the Crown. Mr.. Eliot served
at the Embassy In st. Petersburg, in Tangier
and more recently at Constantinople. He is an
accomplished scholar and fluent linguist. AT
college he took the Syria prize and Derby scholar
ship, and both at st. Petersburg and Constan-
tinople allowances were awarded him for his
knowledge Of the languages Of those capitals
Although attached to the Embassy here only
short while. his admirable qualities have made
him many friends.
Baron Sternberg. the representative Of Ger
many on the Commission, is one of the most
popular among the younger diplomatists at the
cal ital, and is regarded by his colleagues Of the
Diplomatic Corps as being the best posted Of
fetal in the German foreign service on the Sa-
moan question. in which he has taken deep
interest for years. While it is widely regretted
that his present appointment will take him
away from Washington, he has been warmly
congratulated on the compliment it implies.
Baron Sternberg is Of Saxon origin. and has
the stalwart form, the blue eyes and fair hair
characteristic OF his race. He is a man OF
sterling character, and has succeeded in gaining
the confidence and esteem OF his superors
Baron Stcrnberg's first connection with the Ger
man Embassy at this capital was in 1890. when
he was accredited here military attache.
Later he was transferred to Picking, and sub
sequenty served in Belgrade Charge d Az
flares. Last April he was promoted to the place
OF first secretary and became a member of Mr..
Won Hoeben's staff.
Alaska will keep the scientific bureaus OF the
Government busy for years to come. and it Of
fers an interesting field to the investigators Of
its economic resources, the biologists and
topographers who are sent there. The terrible
privations they suffer. the dangers to which
they are subjected, the long months spent away
from civilization have very little effect upon
the enthusiastic explorers who go to that north
ern climate to pave the way for colonists.
The two geological survey parties provided
for by the appropriation Of $4,000 in the last
Congress are about starting out. The first party
consists of W. J. Peters, topographer in charge;
Alfred Brooks geoogist, and four camp hands.
Both Mr. Peters and Mr.. Brooks were in Alaska
last summer, and 1t seems only yesterday that
they returned. The party will be equipped with
pack animals and outfits and it is planned that
it shall proceed from Chilkat Inlet along the
northern side of St. Elias ranges to the head
of the White River which Will take them for
some distance through British territory.
Professor Walcott has instructed them to con-
duct such explorations as may be possible for
the location Of the sources OF the Copper, the
Tanana and the Nebraska rivers They will
also explore the range of mountains between
the Tanana and the Yukon, which contain
gold bearing schists, and will continue the ex-
pIorations between these two rivers to Eagle
City where additional supplies are to be OBJ
tanned for the balance of the field season.
About the middle of September, upon reaching
convenient point on the Yukon, the party Is d.
rected to return by way OF Skaguay or ST.
Michaes, as may seem wisest to its chief MI
Brooks is permitted to come back by any route
which may offer the best chance for obtaining
finp of
and mining in the Territory.
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