Douglas Island news., 1921-02-18
EsKIlIOs DYING,
 SAYS PHYSICIAN

Dr. Royal N Fitch. who was sta- uoucd at Fort Liscum across tho bay from thIs city for two ycam passed through Salt Lakc City recently on his way Co his old home lu Chicago. and took umc to bc interviewed by representatives Of Che Desert News. says Che Valdez Miner Tho purport- oi Interview follows
 "Tho EsHmos in Alaska are rap- idly becoming a docadont raco. nee cordine to Dr. R. N Fitch of Valdez. Alaska. who .a guest at Che Hotel Utah. Dr. Fitch hos been in Aassa for several years where hc is inter- oatcd in mining development He came out or Che Northland on Che last boat arriving in Semitic last month. Dr. Fitch plans Co spend Che winter in Chicago. his former home. and carly next spring he win ro- turn to Valdez. where hc plans ox- ,cns.yc development work next sum- mor inside Che Arctic Circle
 Before Che advent Of Che white man Che Eskimo depended on dsb- ug hunting and trapping. and he provided we'll for his family" pr. Fitch said. However. Che same cone ddons now exist n Alaska as arc visible In Che Indian country thru- out Che States tbc American Indian or Che greater part of chem. has be- come absolutely dependent on Che white man.
 "No moro do you soc Che otrac- live Eskimo settlements which in yoar gone by dotted Che coast line of Alaska Tho villages are ul kept and u many Instances have been abandoned Tho Eskimo tribes have dHbanded. Che members gathering together In small groups and camp me near Che towns and white dsh- me settlements where they are sat- HGeI Go gather the scraps which are cas. avay Tho death rate Che last few years has Increased Co am alarm me extent and Che Influenza epic donnie which struck Alaska during Che ast months In 1918 and Che carly part of 1919 czactod a great toI u Eskimo Hives.
 "Wth officials of Che revenue cute fer service we wont from one yil- nec Go another to aid in combating Che disease and Che sights we saw wore shocking Entire villages were completely wiped out Iu several settlements we found not a living soul and ou oI sides lay Che bodies Of mon. women and children Tho Eskimo has become shifIcH and ho H content Co take what thc white man lcayos."
 Dr. Fitch said .u October hc went into Che carIbou country and wife messed Che run of countless numbers Of caribou Into Che northern focd- me grounds Ordinarily hc said. aob tribe of EsNmos scud hunters to bag sufficient caribou to provide .hc members ol Uhc tribe with mo8t for Che winter. Tho doctor aaid there were but few natives who bagscd game for thcr winters supply Ho aId about January Che natives win
 lend out appeals for aid and cha, many win Haryo before summer
 The doctor said that Che run Of
 caribou into Che feeding country ia one of Che greatest sights Go be seen and said thatby natural instinct Che caribou for miles around win gather iuto one great group and when an have assembled Che leaders win bci- low mighty roar and start for tho fcedue country Uc said it is Im- possible to estimate Che number O, animals In the great herd but they mu into Che tens Of thousands and 10 oscs them three and four days Go pass a e.vm point
 Tho Valdez physician said tho completion Of Che government roIl road now being constructed in Az assa win prove to bc Che teuitorys greatest asset and win result In Che development Of extensive resources which have been left untouched on account of inadequate transportation facilities Hc said when Che main branch Of the road Is completed branch lines win be added and these lines win extend into the interior which Is In need of transportation. Tho doctor said it is almost Impos. s.ble to get freight into Che Interior on account Of Che famous Valdez Fairbanks tra.l which has been thc ..rI,,.ir.f .rf.r. Irfn frr fufnrInr