The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-16
Outlines Organization of the De-
partment Of Alaska.
SEATTLE THE SHIPPING PORT.
Supplies to he Assembled Here
Five 10 Go North From
This City-with the Completion OF
Capt. Abercrombic's
Work to vnides, an Alaska Cable
10 Seattle VIII he Sext MoSe'

The department of Alaska OF the United
States army with temporary headquarters
in Seattle was established az the Rainiet-
Grand hotel last night Gen. george "a
Randall. accompanied by a portion OF ms
stan, Capt. W. +. Richardson ana Lieut..
H.. u. Hickok. arrived on The foruahu
train at O'Clock. They were met py odPt.
Abercrombie. Capt. Robinson ana otne,
local army representatives. Gen. Randaii
came from Portland direct, and arriVeu II
day ahead OF schedule time.
Immediately after dinner he held a cons
ference with Capt Abercrombie uutins
which the work In Alaska was catsIuly
zone over. At 8 o'clock capt. ROBINSON
Salled. and for several hours Gen. Randall
hf0 aides and visitors were in consultation
Gen. Randall Is not unknown on me
Coast. For ten months prior 70 the break
in0 ont OF the spe nish-Amerlcan war, as
colonel in the regular army, he was STA
toned In Alaska, and II therefore iatniiar
with the military needs OF the aistriS, aso
it, relative army position to the ,PacIhc
opast. At the outbreak of the war ne was
recalled to active service, and shortly after
arriving at Washington was made nrisa-
dfer general OF volunteers and assigned 70
seryfce In Cuba. During the campaign ana
the military regime following his advice has
been frequently ought. Six months ago
he was stricken III In Cuba. and whiie
vet performing his duties vas ordered to
report to Washington for assignment to
the department OF Alaska
Glad 20 he sent Here.
.I was glad TO be ordered to this terri
tory" he said al the hotel last night, for
during my ten months stay In the north
/ found the people there most kindly. and
also found many friends on the Coast
whom l am glad TO get back and see
s.It ia rather early for mo TO say what
will be my policy In Alaska. l am ordered
there to protect life and property. which
we b a do. and also assist TO the best OF
- IA L. lAnatnyfpn thu rfUtnfrV
1--WE shall be IN Seattle at least until
June l. Before departing We shall ship
from here i've companies Two VII be
aei and one nj valdes bay, where Capt.
Abercrombie's corps will be working.
Thcsc. together with. two companies now
psny at Fort Egbert. Will compose the
present command OF the department Of
Alaska 60. I'm
maintain q commissary department, a
Quartermaster department. an adJutant's
department and "a medical department,
~ m'' sss vane CO 70 'b ssrrscss. We Ssahsaaiii
psftmsnt viii 80 thoroughly organized
hefe as soon an permanent quarters can
.Aii Of our supplies will be assembled
In Seattle and our shipping win be done
is the only one that will ever meet the
demands OF the arm In Alaska.
"The permanent headquarters OF the de-
partment Will be at st. Michael The
selection OF hat point I think a good
one, for the reason that IL is a shipping
point and easily accessible. 1t Is also
d supply depot.
Seattle the Army Port.
"Ittts my Opinion h Seattle will not
only be q shipping port for the Alaskan
army, but also for the tr~anspaciic army
or the corps now in the Philippines. I'd
army men II looks very much that way,
80 lhA lana ~ ..A m - 1884, NatA a.. - "a
ern route very literally. When l was
asked regarding the best shipping point
for all transpacfic army needs, | unhesi-
tattngiy said Seattle. and I think the
whole thing will be done from here before
long. should this be true, II is OF Inn
portanca, ns IN Alaska alone. with its
continued ~gold-prodncing capacity, there
L. no telltnE what Will be made OF that
district yet.
Seattle. in my opinion, IL the port Of
the Pacific coast. and no stone should be
left unturned TO secure the Honolulu
cable terminus here.
1T L. only a matter OF time until there
IL a cable from Alaska TO Seattle. The
work Of Capt. Ahercrombie IL preliminary
20 that end. Once we get a telegraph
line In operation from st. Michael 10
Naldea bay. a cable 10 Seattle will be the
next thing. THIS will be badly needed.
and | have no doubt with ultimately be
built.
Regarding a permanent quar,ermas-
ter'e department In Seattle. I think u will
not be long before one will be established
The only thlng further at this time
he our aim and object TO work IN har.
many with all tho cftlrena that 80 .bn.r st