The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1945-05-19

in its application to Alaska, it not written with
this Territory in mind
Colonel Stanley has stated the principles of the
British government assisting its colonies to develop
To Alaskans one of the interesting features is that
the thought comes from the British government and
not from colony under that government.
There is a lesson in Colonel Staneys statement
worthy of study by the United States officials who
hold the controls the development of Alaska
1t is well known that the British Empire became
great through the wise administration OF colonial
governments 1t is also historically written that what
is now the United States lost the British Empire
when the colonial people of this continent refused to
tolerate unbearable conditions of government.
nation born under such circumstances should
be expected to adopt policy for the development
of its territories. But the opposite is true. The
United States failed to provide any sort
of government in Alaska for almost two decades after
purchasing the Territory. Since 1867 it has been
continental battle to,obtan few, limited rights OF
self government.
This nation has made more and more difficult the
development of the resources of Alaska. 1t has con-
tinuay refused to grant powers of self government
to the Territory 1t has failed to conduct investga-
tons which necessary to the correct understanding
the poentiaties of the northland to the end that
and constructive program for its use might be
drawn.
But the British government has followed the OPP
pose policy one that has continually fostered
development of its possessions
We in Alaska might humbly petition our govern
ment Washington to look to the British government
for the principle which to base its program for this
Territory.
There can be no true selfgovernment if it is
allied with permanent financial dependence upon
Others Colonel Stanley wrote under the title Teach
ing the Colonies to Govern Themselves"
ION the side of social and economic developments,
Britain has a new and potent weapon In 1940 at
time when future seemed blacklist, an act, The
Colonial Development and Welfare Act passed.
BY this act Parliament placed at the disposal of
the colonial secretary sum of 20 million dollars
year for development and two million for research for
period of 10 years
This year. when victory seems assured, the Par
lament is being asked to extend that period and
largely increase those sums. On the basis of that
assistance combined with the of the colonies
themselves I asking each colony to prepare
ten-year plan for social and economic development.
The assistance is not intended to be permanent
dole. 1t is intended to provide those fundamentals
which the necessary preliminary for each colony
to develop its own economic assets, the health the
industry and the skill of its people.
There are any objects for which this money will
be required; education health water supplies, COM
development of agriculture and second
airy industries
This statement from the British Secretary of State
for the Colonies comes at the time the Congress of
the United States is killing the efforts of the adj
in Washington to plan for the develop
ment of Alaska and enable this Territory 80 to
develop their own resources that out of them they
can meet the reasonable claims for social standards
Colonel Stanley points the way for development
while Congress apparently endorses the stand taken
by Rep. Jed Johnson of Oklahoma, Chairman of
the Appropriations Sub committee who dubbed two
proposals for development funds fantastic
He said in Congress-
"Oniy few months ago the Deficiency Sub-com-
mittee was presented with a request backed by
budget estimate which contemplated an Alaska Devel-
opment Advisory Commission. Believe it not, the
department actually asked Congress for $3860000
which is approximately one-half the amount we paid
for Alaska to send commission there for the purpose
of which was somewhat haZy.
That sub committee listened patiently to all the
alleged evidence that the Interior Department could
muster in support of that fantastic proposal and then
unanimously disallowed every dollar requested
Imagine the surprise of committee to find
the bundle in reduced form on our committee
doorstep when started hearings this bill. This
time the of the proposed commission was not
referred to and the item designated merely the
item for the development of Alaska In fact, it was
not proposed to develop Alaska but to make another
so-called survey
An eminent army general in Alaska upon
experiencing difficulty in obtaining the items neces
sary to defend the Territory suggested that Alaska
would fare better by declaring its independence
nation and becoming an ally of the United States
whereby it would become eligible for end-lease.
Now it appears that if Alaska under the
British Secretary of State for the Colonies it would
not only be eligible for end-lease but might also
qure the helpful guidance needs to develop its
resources that it can meet the reasonable claims
for social standards
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