Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-25

was little, II any, less than absolute.
There was no semblance of civil law in all
the territory which was not subservient to
the military authority. The period
of seventeen years following the transfer
with rare intervals was one of gloom and
ignominy. The people long resident, who
hailed with joy the transfer as a deliver
ance from half a century of oppression
bordering on degradation, and who were
eager to declare their allegiance to the gov
ernment which by solemn treaty stipula-
ton had guaranteed to them all the rights
privileges and immunities of citizens of the
United States were treated more as con-
quered foes than as friends delivered from
long period of bondage. 3"
The tll-treatment accorded the Russian
people decided very large majority of
them to avail themselves of that clause of
the treaty which provided for their return
to Russia within a period of three years,
and the year following the transfer their
exodus began and was continued until all
but mere fraction Of the whole number
had availed themselves Of the free trans
portation provided by the imperial govern
ment. They preferred to take their chances
under an absolute despotism to the bless
ings of free government as exemplified in
their brief experience of United States mill
tary rule In Alaska"
Petitions for a civil government were
very soon sent to Washington. Twice dele
gates to Congress were Informally elected,
but seats in that body were denied them.
Military garrisons were established i'm
mediately after the transfer at Wrangell,
st. Paul and Kenai, but the last two were
withdrawn in 1870. Those at Sitka and
Wrangell were retained until 1877, when
they. too. were withdrawn and for nearly
two years the people were left not only
without any form of government but with
out any protection whatever. Be-
lieving that withdrawal of the troops
meant the abandonment of Alaska by the
government the natives became arrogant
and domineering, and during the whole OF
February, 1878. the white people of Sitka
were constantly under arms and on guard,
fearful Of a surprise and attack in which
the lives Of all would be sacrificed. ~
1t was not till 1884, seventeen years after
transfer, that Alaska was accorded even the
Semblance Of civil government. In that
year Congress passed bill entitled An
act to create civil government for the
by the President May II. And such an act
was never before conceived in the brain of
statesman. whether of high or low degree.
Sham Civil Government.
After the lapse Of seventeen years,
during the whole of which time the white
residents Of Alaska lived in a condition either
Of absolute civil anarchy or military abso-
lutism, their prayers for relief were an
swered by the enactment OF an organic law
in which all the more important and valued
rights privileges and immunities of Ameri-
can citizenship are expressly and positively
denied them. 1t sets up anomalous
form Of civil government; assigns laws that
are wholly inappltcable and devolveS upon
the officers 1t creates duties that are impos-
sible Of performances; a government with
out the machinery necessary to it's opera
ton; a form without the substance. 1t has
but served to prolong in lesser degree the
cruel injustice Of which these people were
for seventeen years the helpless victims,
in that it Is governmental denial to them
of those rights. advantages and immuni-
ties of citizens Of the United States, guar
anteed to them by solemn treaty. -" Even
at this late date QS90 the people of that
hitherto unappreciated, long-neglected ter
rltorial acquisition are without voice in
any legislative body by which the defects
in their anomalous civil government can
be remedied, and are practically without
any provision of law whereby they may |
secure titles to their homes"
Even the legislation Of 1900, thirty three |
years after the transfer, fails to give them
a territorial delegate.
The precedent of Alaska would justify |
the retention Of the Philippines under mill |
under a form Of civil government that is |
a sham for sixteen years more. But no one |
believes that Uncle Sam will be as incon-
siderate OF the people in his tropical terri /
tory as he has been of the Inhabitants OF |
his frigid possessions. /
Excess of Kindness for Newcomer. |
The prompt granting to Hawaii and Porto |
Rico Of such considerable measures Of civil |
government without retaining them for in /
definite periods under military domina-
ton. when compared with the treat /
msnt to which Alaska and Louisiana have |
been subjected. suggests that Uncle Sam