The Alaska prospector., 1906-04-05

 for the welfare of the natives of this country, has started an agita- ton which may result in the es- tAblishment of a hospital and dis pensatory at Copper Center. Such an institution would be God send to the natives and whites as we'll. Mir. Holman has interested Bishop Rowe in the plan as evil denced by the following letter:
 ''Mr. A. Holman,
 U. s. Commissioner;
 Copper Center, Alaska.
 Dear Sir:-In acknowledging the receipt of your esteemed letter l want to congratulate you, in the first place for untiring efforts you are making on behalf of the devel opment of Alaska, and the best .n- terests of the people, white or na- tive.
 In regard to your request for the establishment of mission at Cop per Center, with nurse and dis pensatory in connection, l fully sympathize with the same, and as far as it lies in my power l will endeavor to meet the request. 1 recognize the great necessity of providing some means for the re- lief and aid for the natives, espec- ially in your precinct. Our branch of Ohrist's church is doing all it can for the people of Alaska, both white and native. With all our missions, and seven hospitals we donot meet the great needs of the country. | am distressed that we cannot do more, but we seem to have reached the limit of our abil- ity. It would be joy to my heart if congress could but see it's way at this juncture to leiri hand in this most needful work. Unless it does so the native population must go on to its pitiful destruction, largely suffering, dying without the aid which I believe our nation is sa- credly responsible for. Even the Russia IS in their time made some medical provisions for the native people. We have npt done this. But I live in the hope that our government may yet see its way to doing something ere it be too late. In my opinion Congress would full fil merciful mission, were it to establish at different points in Alaska, medical officers with sup plies of medicines and aids so that the people far. and near. to these points might be aided in their needs and sufferings. Already we have passed through several epidemics among the natives and have as far as we could saved many villages from total destru .tion.. Our nurses have travelled hundreds of miles, summer and winter. to the relief of the afflicted people. But so much more could have been. done had the government established central supply and relief stations from which we could have drawn the proper medicines. Take Cop per. Center as an illustrations: It would mean blessing to many were the government to establish there medical officer. It ought to do this. l am prepared to es- tablish a.nurse for this point but it would be inadequate without sach an officer.
 The natives are not dependent; they do not want support from the government, except in some cases. nor would it be wise to give it,, but they do need what 1. have already pointed out. It is true that their lives are being made very hard and distressing, because white men are occupying their long inherited land and home and hunting grounds It stands to reason that they should in consequence, re- oelve some protection, attention and aid from the government.
 I,have but touched. the surface of this great question and have made q mere suggestion as to the immediate action Congress should
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