The Daily Alaska empire., 1944-11-08

that no such rights ever recognized by Russia
 before the purchase that the Treaty of purchase gave no such rights but contained express recital that Alaska was transferred free and unencumbered by any reservations privileges franchises grants or pos sessions by any associated companies whether cor porate incorporate, Russian any other or by any parties except merely private individual property holders and that Congress repeatedly has passed leg isation the effect of which would have been to ex-
 nguish aboriginal claims if any had existed Artcle VI, Treaty of Cesson)
 Tt is certain that the development which has been brought about by enterprsing people in the seventyseven years which have elapsed since the pur chase of Alaska from Russia would not have occurred if it had been thought that the titles to land mines and fisheries would at time be put in jeopardy by the assertion of prior rights by the Indians These developments undertaken with the encourage of the national government and with the under standing that the public land laws of the United States the homestead and townsite laws, and the mineral laws were extended to the Territory and would protect the pioneering settlers in their work and investment"
 Alaska natives have never been reservation In, dians They have always been free to move around the white people They full citizens. They vote hold office work alongside of their white fellow citizens, receive the rate of wages, and the same treatment. They dress the same white people and their children mngle with white children
 in school And there is place in the nation where there is less discrimination against the Indians where they greater opportunity to be equal in all respects with their white associates than in Alaska. The best informed Indians wish to retain this free dom and equal standing rather than become wards of the government.
 "The effect of the establishment of these reserva
 ons would be to create chaos, and to sfle develop ment in Alaska at time when the postwar outlook points to greatly expanded interest in Alaska, and when industries, such as that of pulp manu- featuring, are in prospect No would profit not the Indians except that the Department of the Interior would gain additional power and expand its already excessive bureaucratic control.
 NOV, THEREFORE, BE TT RESOLVED: That the Seattle Chamber of Commerce join with people of Alaska in opposing this wholly backward reaction ary and destructive proposal of the Secretary of the Interior which would have the effect of changing the status of Alaska Indians from that of equal American citizens into wards of the Indian Bureau which would upset the entire present economy of Alaska block proposed statehood and deter if not actually prevent the development of the great Ter ritory.
 BE TT FURTHER RESOLVED: That instead of such destructive proposals Congress be urged to take back to itself the sole power to create reservations of any kind that Congress make it impossible for Federal officials to further obstruct the reasonable and proper development of Alaskas great resources that Congress legislation guaranteeing to all American citizens equal access to fisheries and all other natural of Alaska and that instead of subectng Alaska to additional arbitrary bureau cratic domination every encouragement be given to those who wish to work in and build up the great regions to the North"