The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-02-21
FEDERAL TROOPS SENT
TO ALASKkN MINES
Strike Situation There IS Growing
Serious.

Washington, d. G. (Special) By
direction OF the President, Acting
Secretary Oliver ordered company
of infantry from Fort Gibbon, in
Alaska, to Fairbanks, in that terri
tory, to preserve order during the
mining strike IN that section. This
action was taken upon representation
from the United. States Court In
Alaska to the Attorney General that
the presence of Federal troops was
needed. Attorney General Bonaparte
promptly brought the matter TO the
attention of the President, and by his
instruction afterwards consulted
with Acting Secretary Oliver, who,
through General Bell, chief of STAFF,
forwarded the necessary orders for
the movement of troops to the milf
tary commander at Fort Gibbon.
The Department Of Justice is with
out information as to the cause of
the strike. 1t is not known here
whether the trouble is due to strike
for increase of wages. resisting re-
ductiOn Of wages, or the result of
the shutting down of the mines. 1t
Is understood that every miner in
the town is out on strike. A large
number of arrests have been made.
Department officials say that al
though shots have been exchanged,
there has been no destruction of
property or serious injuries inflicted
as yet.
The following statement on the sit
uation was given out at the Depart
ment of Justice:
ssThn ffornov Nonoro1 io In 70.
ceipt of kilograms from Fairbanks,
Alaska, indicating that there is a
possibility of trouble growing out of
the strike of miners at that point.
The striking miners had picketed the
trail between Valdez and Fairbanks,
but a party of workmen were brought
In by the pickets. Most of the new
ly-arrived laborers are Russians, and
it is reported that open air mass
meetings are being held by the strik-
ing miners, and that threats of vio-
lence have been made. The marshal
has been directed By the Attorney
General to use all the force at his
command to arrest lawbreakers and
to prevent intimidation. and 1t has
also been arranged that military
force shall start for Fairbanks at
20uCO u give TIC mdTSud1 moral sup
port, and also to take action should
the disorder prove too great for any
force that the marshal may be able
to secure. The latter has been given
strict orders as to the energetic use
of all the force he can command"
Fort Gibbon being at the junction
of the Yukon and Tanana Rivers,
about 150 miles by rail from Fair
banks, it appears to be the more vaIu-
able. Recent reports from military
authorities at the posts show the
temperature to be ranging from 80
to 10 degrees blow zero, and the ice
fields unusually heavy. The only
means of transportation is by dog
sleds, and 1t would require probably
five or six days to make the trip.
Fairbanks, Alaska (Special). -
United States Marshal Perry has
sworn in $50 special deputies for the
protection of life and property
against riotous strikers, who are con-
gregated on the streets. These mobs
have been attempting to capture re-
cent arrivals here with view to
deporting them. The marshal's force
has dispersed the rioters, and guar
antees protection to all men in camp.
All saloons are closed