The Alaska daily empire., 1923-01-17
WILL ALASKA SECEDE?

The question asked by the above caption is put by Theodore NJ. Knappen staff correspondent for the Sunset Magazine in story by him from Washington, D. G. and appearing in the above pub licaton for January If reports have reached Wash ingon, the correspondent indicates secession- ist sentiment s ripe in Alaska, interesting ques- tion arises as their source. Who made such a re- port and to whom it made? If MT. Knappen desired to be enlightenng, he should have included this information in his brief article If he got his information, is often done with the understanding that the be protected, he might have indicated if the reports official, semi-ofical or merely
 One cannot believe people in any part of the United States woefuy ignorant of Alaskans as to believe they have considered the adoption policy of 'becoming' the Ireland of America" If there is any subject which there is a common agreement, it is on the loyalty and patriotism of the residents of this Territory One is rather inclined to suspect that MT Knappen is writing on space terms and, being "hard-up' following the holidays put something over" the editors of the Sunset It must be admitted that from present until after March 18th, there may be whole lot of hard things said about the Government by good many Alaskans .lhe remarks made will be identical with those made by some millions of red-blooded Americans all over The country and the source will also be identical the income tax The general unrest so noticeable in agricultural sections Of the country does not extend to Aaska The people of this Territory are apxious TOT more local selt-government but have no thought or attempting to gain it by force Any reports to the contrary are just so much plain bunk
 MT knappens amusing contribution to the sunset follows:
 Is Alaska to become tne American Ire
 land? Reports have reached Washington ir-
 oicatlng that unless Congress soon adopts
 remedial legislation. the Alaskans con
 sider it. they will proceed to establish a com
 monwealth with the of relation to
 the American republic that the Irish Free
 state has to the United Kingdom The new
 political entity would ruthlcssly take nossas
 sion of all the public natural resources of the lerfitcfy and would entire con
 Foi of local government but would be will
 ing to recognize itself as a part of the Am
 ellcan group in the international system and
 refrain from establishing diplomatic relations
 "Ith other . nations leaving all it's foreign
 affairs to Washington.
 It was about year ago thct the first talk
 Of modified form of secession of Alaska , was heard-but little attention was maid in It, Ncw the secession talk proceeds from
 more responsible quarters Disappointed that
 the development of Alaska has proceeded SD
 slowly and that hope has been so long de-
 ierred or repeating the spectacular growth or other sections of the United States inc
 Alaskan settlers are represented as beinp com sinced that they must make coup of some
 sensational nature that will result in homo
 rule Alaska can not follow the exampIe f oi iexas and revolt against a foreign gov
 ernment to get into the United States SO if
 talks of revolting against tho government
 at washington Tn the hope of injecting it.
 s9f into the United States The Fascist
 have captured Italy on a blum and the AIas
 Kans may get Alaska by talking Of starting secession At least that is what those who
 are deslrous or throwing Alaska wide open
 "cuid nave us believe is about to happen