New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-02

hdZen ana OtneT menu eIS OF lile gov
eminent. but more particularly with
the Deputy Minister Of Naval Service.
He also spoke before the Canadian Club
Of Ottawa AZ luncheon, at which the
other guest was Sir Cecil Spring Rice,
the British Ambassador 10 the United
States. who paid the closest attention
10 the explorer.
Stefsnsson on this occasion told Of
the neglect Of the bodily welfare of
the Esquimaus by the missionaries.
He has been widely misquoted in Cana
dian newspapers on this subject, and
the government Is receiving daily pro-
tests against the grant Of money 10
man whom the letter writers describe
as an enemy Of the missionaries.
Praises Militant Missionary.
stefansson in the course Of a long
conversation with The Tribune corre-
spondent said:
Il wish 70 make il quite clear that !
am distinctly in favor Of the missions
movement. but l would like TO see it
properly managed in the regions which
have explored. In 1906, for instance,
on the Mackenzie River the Indians
were falling victims 10 tuberculosis.
Some Of the missionaries were fighting
the disease and some were not.
Il have in mind particularly the Rev.
Mr.. Marsh. the Church Of England mis-
sionsry At Slave Lake. He took right
hold Of the situation and worked in
diligently and did not hesitate TO re-
sorts TO Spartan methods. I know Of
one case there where a girl was dying
Of the disease. The family was living
ina house They had copied the white
mans house and had deserted the wig
vsm.
Marsh insisted that the family go
hack 10 wigwam. The parents re-
fused 10 consider the proposal, where
upon this militant missionary actually
threw the whole family out IF their
house bodily, in spite OF threats Of the
father 10 Kill him. He forced the whole
family to go out into the woods and
live in a wigwam. They lived practi-
caly I'm the open air all that winter,
and in the spring when | sew them
again ! found the girl the picture ot
health. She had been cured. In the
same year other missionaries were en-
eouraging the Indians 10 build houses
10 live IN like the decent white man
When the people change thus their
methods Of living to the white mans
Standard the effect is deadly.
All the missionaries ought 70 do
shat Marsh did. Either the mission
ooards have not properly instructed
neir men or the missionaries disregard
meir Instructions The missionaries
'nould be organized intelllgently, like
an army"
Oselo.es tho Expedition Plans.
Speaking the present expedition,
ar stefansson told OF several features
not previously mentioned in the press.
He said:
AS this Is Canadian expedition,
""snced exclusively by the Canadian
s''ernment ] understand there has
veen some criticism because ] am not
'"ng more Canadians. this is a
p"eiy scientific expedition il is ncccs-
'sry TO have the party made up ex-
'usNeiy u specialists, and specialists
~ moi grow on every bush. There are
""teen men In the party. We have
e canadians. five from other parts OF
~s British Empire, two Americans ard
one Dane.
we went outside the empire only
.'eh we he'd 10. The government has
an me an absolutely free hand in
selection Of men and the purchase
!. supplies. We have abandoned the
OF taking along a wireless outfit.