The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-01-13

THE ALASKA CITIZEN, FAIk pei this illusion when they are widespread enough to be generally known.
 Few people realize that the range of tenn perature of the territory is greater than that between Maine and Florida, and yet no one in their right senses would claim that Flor ida's climate was the same as that of northern Maine. The warm winds and currents of the Pacific give to the entire southern DOT ton of the territory comparatively warm climate What a start of surprise it would cause to the Fasteners if they were to know that the southern part of Alaska, on the Pa cific ocean, has mean annual temperature, that is, the average temperature for the year, not very different from that of Washington, D. C., the difference being that the winters in the Nations capital are colder, with a heavier fall of snow while Alaska's summers are cooler and less oppressive. Northern Montana and North Dakota are considered cold, but generally speaking they would not be classed with Alaska by the average Out sider," and yet the Yukon valley has winter climate similar to this part of the Middle West. That portion of the territory lying north of the Arctic Circle, comprising about one fourth of the total area, has an Arctic climate, and still white people live there successfully.
 The rainfall of the interior is scanty, fall ing between ten inches in the Yukon valley to less than fifteen inches in the Panama valley. This sounds unfavorable for the farmer, but because of the storage of moisture for nine months of the year in the form of snow, which is let loose slowly in the spring, there is sui icio for of a1r luxuriance.
 To convey correct impression of the climate of Alaska to our Eastern friends, we should refer to their knowledged of the Brit | ish Isles, and of the Scandinavian countries, by comparing the weather conditions of cer- tain sections of the territory with parts of these countries in the same latitude. For in stances, Sitka is in the same latitude as Edin- burgh, and the climates of the two are about the same. The position of Alaska directly north of the great Pacific ocean gives it even better exposure to warm ocean winds than that of the British Isles, while it is far ahead of that of the Scandinavian countries Central Russia, farther south than central Alaska, is considerably colder, because it has no noun tains like the Endicott Range to shut off the frigid blasts from the north.
 While it is true that parts of Alaska are lands of snow and ice, it is not true of all of it, and the ma jor part of the territory has a climate that is not only good for the white man, but insures him health and an abundance of sustenance from the soil. It is country where he may live in comfort; where he may win livelihood from the soil with less thar the usual amount of work; where there is everything for him to gain and very little tc lose.
 Alaskans, familiar as they are with eli matc conditions in the territory, should in form the people Outside who have such mis- taken ideas about it. They should speak the truth about it, that they may help to correct the ignorance which exists, and urge "Outsid CTS" to learn the truth as matter of educa ton, if nothing more. Alaska is part o1 the United States, yet it is safe to say that o1 no other portion is there os little known, ane that little so false, as of this territory. IT this period which faces us now, one of the first things to be done is to overcome the pre- I judice that is general against the Alaskan eli mate, which is founded upon ignorance. Ane the best way to do it is to spread the truth broadcast, that people may become aware o1 the opportunities that are awaiting in thi: great country.
 ALASKA CAN
 If the United States government will de %os1 Nf ftc min f(