Douglas Island news., 1918-11-29
YANKEE SOLDIERS
 GOOD BOOSTERS
Stretch the Truth a Little, But Do Good Work for the Terri
 tory in France

NIIIt Tel. or NuNtlHbtl H. NAAA hi'N some idea of the boosting being done by the Alaska boys with the Ameri- can army in France:
 Alaska boys in France, in the army cantonmcnts and in the navy arc the most effective press agents Che North has ever known" states J l.. McPherson, manager of the Alaska bureau of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Commercial Club. "A few days ago we received a letter from an Alaskan lieutenant of en- eincers who is in France stating that he had been boosting Alaska to a bunch at mess, and that he had told them of Che Haines, Alaska, strawberries, eight of which would mI a quart measure. and celery that grew six feet tall. We advised him that he was absolutely correct in his statement concerning the strawber- ries. but that he had probably con- fused celery with rhubarb, which has most luxurious growth in the skagway section. where it attaIns a height of from four to six feet.
 Pioneer Life Attractive
 "I want a homestead where | can lo uttle hunting. fishing and trapping is typical Of the requests for information on Alaska received from the boys in France, showing that their life iu the open has in- sulcd in them a desire to become nioncers Co lead a life of adventure. From the training camps throughout thc states. from Honolulu, from the high seas and from France the men in Che service are writing for inform uuon on Alaska.
 What are the farming and min ing. homesteading. fishing and trap ping opportunities in the North land?' are the questions represent ing majority of the inquiries. Numbers Of men state their inten- tion of settling in Alaska when they return from the war. and desire gem eral information. Some of them make inquiries as Co business condi- fions and homesteading opportuni- tcs One asked for information on eoal lands. their location, the lease laws. etc.. while a Jackie briefly re- quests all standing information
 Northland Much Discussed
 Not only is Alaska being thought about by the men in the service, 3ddcd Mir. McPherson. but it is be- ing earnestly talked about and de- bat,i. and we find that many Of tho inouirics received are for the benefit of number Of men, the writer only acting as spokesman.
 cone of Alaska's sons, writing to a Seattle friend. stated that while 4t Bordeaux he attended an illus trotcd lecture on Alaska. The slides were furnished by your Alaska bu- rcau' he said. and they were very good They were all the more inter- astinr to me because many of the scenes were familiar AS the famil- iar towns were shown, l thought of our jolly bunch coming down on the good old sca-tub Northwestern. The flowers at skagway were just as we saw them.
 Alaska to Be Developed
 "Alaska has furnished a far great or percent of her man power to the yar than any other section Of our land. and as a result she is feeling more seriously the effect Of the drain i'm au her industrial development life. But it is certain that with the final settlement of peace the Alaska bovs will all return to the North Iond and will take with them scores of comrades to whom they have told the wonders of the land up there. These men will furnish the essential manhood for the development of Al- aska's great store Of raw products a movement which must be so planned as to build for permanent industries and a stable and prosperous popu- lation."