The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-06-20
WASHINGTON LETTER
[snecIaI Corresnordenee.l


natives in Alaska have reached the in
terror department, and Secretary His
cock has been urged to take early ac-
ton for their relief.
The war department from time to
time has issued supplies to these destl-
tute natives IN Alaska, but 1t Is doubt
ful whether circumstances Will permit
a continuance OF such donations Con-
grcss has furnished the interior depart
ment with no money that can be used
for extending relief, but the revenue
marine service, under the treasury tie
partment, with boats cruising In Alas
kan waters, doubtless Will find means
0f conveying to these people any dona-
lions Of food or clothing that may be
sent TO them at Seattle, the nearest
point I'm the United States from which
they could be forwarded.
The information Of restitution among
the natives Is furnished from Bethel.
the st. Sergius mission and from other
trustworthy sources. In the vicinity
Of Bethel 1870 persons are reported dead
from starvation. Many dogs have died,
and others have been killed by the ma
lives for food. The priest In the st.
Scrgus mission reports that within the
year the number Of natives embraced
within his mission has decreased from
800 to less than 500.
THIS condition Is thought TO be due
principally 10 nm epidemic OF grip
which passed over the entire Alaskan
country last summer, causing many
deaths and leaving the natives for
long period helpless to provide for
themselves I'm the coming winter.
Instructions have been sent by the
secretary OF the interior 10 the priest IN
charge OF the Russian mission on the
Yukon, where supplies were sent last
fall to divide what is on hand there
and to send all that can be spared
across the portage to the st. Sergins
mission on the KuskOkim. An order
will De sent to Andreafskl. where sup
plies are plentiful to deliver provisions
10 the mission teams from Bethel In
case any should come over II Is hoped
that some temporary relief may thus be
afforded.
The Island ~ JOIo.
4 report received n few days ago at
the war department from the COM
mandlng officer at Jolo, island Of Jolo.
Sulu archipelago. contains interesting
Information regarding that remote sec
ton OF our new possessions never be-
fore complied or published. JolO,
which. with the exception OF Tawl
Tawi. is the most remote island be-
longing TO the United States, lies in
the sea of JOlo. In longitude 121 de-
grees east OF Greenwich and on the
sixth parallel north from the equator.
about 100 miles due west from the
easternmOst point Of BOrneo. TSS miles
sOuthsoutheast from Manila, S,GS1
miles from San Francisco and 1i,S2S
miles from Washington.
The island was first occupied the
10Th Of May, 1899. when Companies h.
G.. u, +, +. G. II and l.. Twenty-third
infantry, under command OF Captain
L. b. Pratt, relieved the Spanish gen
eral Huertas, who had with him a
garrison Of "a officers and 800 men.
VIII Build $1,000, 900 Home.
Lars Anderson of Boston has pur-
oboeoI Prom, tho Affccoq Datfnn a 0no
building site on Massachusetts, ave
nue. between Florida avenue and TWEEN
ty-hrst street Mr.. Anderson paid
nearly 100000 for the property and
proposes to erect a magnificent winter
residence which will cost In the neigh
borhood OF 100000. The building
will be begun at once. but will prOba-
bly, not be completed for two years.
Mr.. Anderson is the son Of Mrs. Mich
olas Anderson OF this city. Three
years ago ne married Miss Perkins Of
Boston. heiress to several millions.
Transport For Teachers.
Orders have been issued by the war
department 10 fit up the transport
Sherman as a teachers transport. with
accommodations for 125 women and
400 or 500 men teachers. She will sail
from San Francisco early In July. The
accommodations are to be as cOmfOrta-
BILE as possible. The women teachers
will occupy the first cabin stateroOms
and other comfortable parts OF the
ship. and the men will be accommo-
dated on the troop decks with special
accommodations conducive to their
comfort They are to be furnished
with meals equal to those furnished
In the cabin saloon. and an decks Of