The Washington times., 1922-12-03
Treasure House Of World
Mast Be Guarded Against
Penetration" Declares Zorn
UNTOLD MILLIONS At STAKE
Noted Mine Owner Describes
Great Advantage II Tokyo
Gets FoothoId on Continent

SeoCAoh ohu huChOidSO, Aioo-
Ia, now sojourning in New
York while laying plans for
the development of his mining
properties on a large scale and
while also sponsoring a project
for the colonization Of the
richest and most temperate
part of Central Alaska, sound
ed yesterday a warning re-
garding Japanese penetration
into the territory.
Seen at his temporary quar-
ters with seafaring friends at 25
South street, he declared the two
Gibraltars Of Alaska, Cordova
Harbor on Prince William Sound,
and the sides of Cooks Inlet,
from Cape Elizabeth to the
Alaskan Peninsula, should be
strongly fortified by the United
States Government. He said:
! am no alarmist, but I have
believed for years, and time
will disclose that l have been
right, that the United States
should take positive steps to
protect the maritime portals
which lead to a wealth in min
erals SO vast that they would
stagger humanity if realized.
BILLIONS IN WEALTH.
Very few people, possibly ex-
cepting some of the experts in
the Department Of the Interior,
and former Alaskan mining
men, understand here in the
United States, the parent coun-
try, that Alaska's mineral
wealth can only be estimated
in the billions.
It is the treasure house of
the world in platinum and gold
and coal. You hear some folk,
even some in official positions,
deprecate the coal Of Alaska,
but am in a position to know
that 1t is there in vast. quanti-
ties.
Also. there Is a wealth of free
water power to be turned into
electricity and with the billions in
gold and platinum available there
and only waiting for the develop
ment Of power and capital, the
country would make the major
territorial prize of the world.
From personal knowledge, and
i warned President Wilson when
he went into office of the situa-
ton. L know that Japan has had
secret agents in Alaska in the
last ten years, studying it by the
most scientific methods, and maxi
ing comprehensive maps and sur.
veys. have seen the maps.
japan would give almost her
national soul to possess Alaska.
II q war should ever develop be-
tween the two countries, and
probably such q contest may be
years distant. you may be sure
the first move japan would mako
would be to seize defenseless,
unguarded, remote Alaska.
III she ever got in there with
her hardy troops. and dug in to
hold that wonderful wilderness,
Il would We mighty tough job
to dislodge her. Only those who
know Alaska as do can under.
stand that.
The safest thing for America
10 do, In the estimation Of many
men who have studied the situa-
ton for years and who have
watched the signs and seen 40
tualities, is for the Government
to safeguard the harbors and
coasts. New York IL fortified.
0an Francisco II fortified. All the
ol -
only q bagatelle compared to what
streams Of that vast imperial
domain Of Alaska.
New York IL q wonderful State.
Because Of its wealth and re-
sources and grandeur and God.
given benefits It is called the EN-
pire State. But compared to
Alaska. both in scenery, agricul.
tural possibilities, water power.
wealth in the earth and potential.
files as to general development,
Il Is pigmy. ALASKA Would mako
twelve States the size of New
York to start with.
Zorn went on to say:
Some years ago In company
with my son Otto, who 10 now IN
California, stopped for some
days at q roadhouse kept by my
friend. Frank Cannon, at Knik,
on Cooks Inlet. Wada was also
. guest there at the time.
With him he had his sleigh and
: six Of the finest huslties to pull it
that were ever trained In Alaska.
These dogs do their fifty miles Q
day hauling him and his packs,
and that is considerable travelling
IN tho interior of Alaska.
WEALTH IN 50 BILLS.
Wada was going outside, as We
say up there, headed for Seward,
and had given him some letters
TO be posted at Seward for trans
mission to the States. He bade
US good-by and set out on the
trail for the coast town. Some
hours after he had left my son,
Otto, came to me and showed q
knapsack pouch which Vida had
left behind him under his pillow
in the bunkhouse. summoned
Frank Cannon, the innkeeper,
and asked his advice In the mat
ter.
Cannon thought we should open
the pouch and see whether it con-
tanned anything Of real value 20
Wada. % Il could be sent after
him. In perfectly eood faith.
therefore, and only IN n frfemfllv