Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-02-03

VI . 1dhiSANs ANuoolN tAlAh lhO Ohlltu
States stood upon a friendly footing,
and Russia had nothing to fear in
yielding Alaska to the United States.
On the other hand, she had much to
gain through bridling the imperial
spirit of her hated rival.
There is reason to believe that Sec
retary eward, with who mnational ex-
tension was passion, was an eager
listener to the suggestions of the Rus
sian ambassador even during the per-
iod Of the Civil War, and that he was
entirely willing to keep alive the sub
ject Of Alaska At st, Paul, Minnesota,
in 1860, he declared in a public ad-
dress that ultimately the American
flag would supplant that of Russia
on artic shores. The subject was again
and again taken up between Mr.. Sew
ard and Baron Stoeckl in informal but
serious discussions, and somewhere in
the course Of these talks comprom-
ise was struck between the $4,000, 900
suggested by Senator Gwin and the
$1O,OOO,OOO demanded by Prince Gort-
chakoff. Secretary Seward offered
$OOO,OO0, which was ultimately in
creased by the sum Of 100000 to
cover possible demands Of individual
Russians in Alaska, including the
heirs to the moribund fur-trading
monopoly, the privileges of which in
recent years had not been renewed
These terms were accepted in so far
as the authority Of the Russian am
bassador went. There still remained
as essential to the bargain, the con-
sent Of the czar, Alexander II, and
ratification by the American authori-
ties, including an appropriation for
the purchase price.
Frederick w. Seward the secre-
tary's son, has told a graphic story
of the success Of the negotiation. On
the evening of Friday, March 30, 1867
, the secretary was deep in a game of
whist with his family and a few
friends at his own house when at an
unconventionally late hour Baron
Stoeckl, the Russian ambassador, was
ANNOUNCED. Upon entering, Baron
Stoeckl said:
i have a dispatch, Mr.. Seward
from my Government by cable The
emperor gives his consent to the ces-
sion. Tomorrow, If you like, | will
come to the department, and we can
enter upon the treaty"
"Why wait till tomorrow, Mr.
stoeckl?" replied Secretary Seward
LET us make the treaty tonight"
But your department is closed y
replied the Russian. "You have No
clerks, and my secretaries are scat
tered about the town"
Never mind that" responded Sew
ard. "If you can muster your lega-
tion by midnight, you will find me
awaiting you at the department, which
will be open and ready for this bhsi-
nesss."
Two hours later the Department of
State was ablaze with light and vi
brant with energy, and by four o'clock
on the morning of Saturday March
80, the treaty was engrossed, signed,
sealed, and ready for transmission to
the Senate. There was need for haste
for Congress was in the final and
hurried days of its session, and there
was scant time for consideration of
a matter which was certain to en-
counter differences OF opinion and call
alike for explanation and persuasion.
Hardly had the Stars and Stripes
been raised above Baranof Castle
when there began veritable car
nival Of eXtravagances, extending over
two full decades. Government there
was none except within the narrow