USA > Alaska > Alaska, its neglected past, its brilliant future > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
Too late, bishop and officials saw what they had done and what they would now fain undo. They would willingly bring back the town's inhabit- ants. They would like to see it again in its remark- able beauty. They would aid in its industries and would even be willing to treat the natives as if they were men and citizens, but it was too late. Met- lakahtla must be renewed entirely. Other hands must be trained, other ministers appointed, and it all must be done quickly, or the place might fall as Tongas did, leaving only the name and a few dilapidated houses to tell of its past prosperity.
151
THE NEW METLAKAHTLA MISSION.
In the meantime the emigrants, with their aged but dearly loved leader at their head, quickly and thrift- ily built the new Metlakahtla to rival the old. The United States became possessed of almost a thousand good citizens. Should Senator Platt's plan of emigrat- ing the hardy Icelanders to Alaska become a success, our new Alaskan possessions will be the gainer and much improved thereby.
Will not our Government soon make laws that will protect them and the people in all other parts of this great and wonderful territory, so that the inhabitants may find the peace, prosperity and perfect protection which they covet and deserve?
Leaving Metlakahtla, we board the steamer once more. The scenery upon which we gazed so rapturously before, awakens new enthusiasm as we approach from the opposite direction. Capes and promontories jut out more daringly, or seem to have stepped backward since we left them behind a short time ago. Verdure clad hills and snow- capped peaks gleam gloriously in the sunshine that holds sway most royally after its long, misty holiday. As we reach the southern shore of Vancouver Island the ship's engine ceases to pulsate, the vessel floats gently and now listlessly, and we hear only the soft splash of the water against the sides, and its gentle swish against the shores.
Victoria, in British Columbia, looms upon our
152
ALASKA.
straining eyes. Landing at Esquimault, the rendez- vous of the English Pacific squadron, a carriage drive brings us to this enterprising and flourishing city, truly English in its construction, its business methods and customs. To us now the shores of our great Re- public are home, and we take steamer here for San Francisco. From Puget Sound out through the Strait of San Juan de Fuca into the broad Pacific Ocean, a two days' voyage steams us through the "Golden Gate" into the spacious and magnificent Bay of San Fran- cisco.
We pass its portals joyfully, but subsequently pass out on a trip to all the towns and cities along the coast to the Mexican border. Then homeward bound, returning from San Diego, California, to Ta- coma, in Washington Territory by rail, we cross the Cascade Mountains, forever carrying the remembrance of one of the grandest excursions we ever made, and imprinting on our memory the most wonderful scenery, fully equalling our views of the Alps or Sierras, and en- joying climates varying from tropical luxury to frigid barrenness.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE BERING SEA CONTROVERSY-ITS PRINCIPAL POINTS.
B ERING sea, with its valuable occupants, has been causing considerable controversy for some years past; but we can never see why the seals of the Pribylov Islands should be considered public property.
While Russia owned Russian America, Bering Sea was held as part of the province, and by right of pos- session all that pertained to this province was owned by that Government. Therefore, wlien the United States obtained the territory it was natural to sup- pose that all that was included therein belonged to her Government. Notwithstanding this, not only sealers from another nation but even some of our own people have been carrying on wholesale poach- ing; and they commenced with such indiscriminate slaughter (as though they were trying to grasp the greatest number possible before being caught) that if allowed to continue, the extermination of the animals would be but a matter of very short time.
The word "extermination" seems to strike absurdly on some ears when we know that the seals are, or have been, counted by the millions, but it must be remem- bered that the mother seal gives birth to but one pup
153
154
ALASKA.
in the season, and that the season comes but once a year. If the mother is killed even after the pup is born it costs the life of both, for according to Professor Elliott, no female seal will care for any but her own little one, and it would be impossible for it to live with- out nourishment. It is well known, too, that a certain percentage of young die, or are killed by their awkward companions; therefore, if there is unlimited seizures of them without regard to set times, the pro- portion to those destroyed cannot but exceed the yearly addition to their number.
It is said there is a strange perversity in fate, and so it threatens to prove with regard to this fur. We are all cognizant of the fact that the preparation of the skins for the markets is almost a monopoly with the London companies. We know that "London dye" is the "open sesame" to the purses of those who know a valuable article. And yet it does not seeni to enter into the consideration of Great Britain that by a cruel destruction of the seal, one of her secure sources of revenue will be completely cut off. That nearly all of the skins taken are shipped to London for dyeing and otherwise preparing them for market, should be enough to make her people willing to let their peaceful sister country alone in her rights.
The poachers do not seem to think that it is only for the present that they can hope to make a great profit out of their undertaking. When the dealers who
155
THE BERING SEA CONTROVERSY.
obtain their goods have found that the very old seals, the young and the mother seals who have not been de- livered of their young, or animals who have been in- jured in fighting or by accident, will not furnish good furs, and when they unpack their casks and find the skins mutilated by spear or bullet, there will be another cry; or there will be a lot of imperfect, patched up goods sent out that will cheapen the article; and by and by fashion, stubborn as it has always been about the beautiful fur, will turn away disgusted with the world-wide favorite and resort to some other article as a standard of beauty and elegance. It is plainly ap- parent that through these two causes, the many im- perfect skins and the unsystematic slaughter of the seals, without regard to their condition, will chase the furs from the markets of fashion and the beautiful creatures from their favorite island homes. By these means England will ultimately lose far more than she will gain, and human beings in Alaska who depend solely upon the seals for sustenance will be left in a sad condition indeed.
Some of our leaders in politics speak of "retalia- tion." That is too minor a word to enter into such a controversy. It is not honorable among individuals- how can it be between nations? Besides, "retalia- tion" may have a meaning or two that does not seem to enter into the consideration of those who mention it as a possible outcome of this difference. One
156
ALASKA.
who undertakes to speak for a nation should be as careful to think twice before he speaks as if the mat- ter was one of personal and vital importance to him- self. In this case "retaliation" may become "revenge," and that is too primitive a mode of procedure to have any consideration between two Christian nations upon such a subject.
The United States has always reversed the old pro- verb that "right" was "might," and not that "might" was "right," and in this case she is not likely to alter her creed. When our own vessels
were caught poaching they were summarily pun- ished. Of those other poachers we hear reports that do not point to equal justice upon the part of their Government. In "right" justice is generally supposed to take a prominent part.
Others say "arbitration." And what need is there for arbitration, when a country is only trying to pro- tect its rights upon its own possessions? The posses- sions into which it came through honorable negotia- tion, peacefully made with another Government; a negotiation, by the way, upon which England smiled, and thought the Republic was making a youthful mis- take, and paying dearly for its bargain. But for all that, she has fought the boundary on one side, and now on the other. If Canada is so dependent upon that region, why did not her Government secure it for her as ours did for us-buy it? We believe
157
THE BERING SEA CONTROVERSY.
had she this charter of cession to display, she would be more ready to demand that her province should be left unmolested than the United States is to require equal respect to her possession of the Territory.
But here is a question that has not been advanced strongly, if at all-why do we not, through the Rus- sian Minister, ask the present "Emperor of all the Russias " to show how far into Bering Sea the boun- daries of the province extended while his Government was left in undisputed possession for ages?
If this question was duly propounded to the Rus- sian Government, we have no doubt that an answer would be forthcoming in a very short time, and that answer should surely end all dispute. At the same time, if it happens that Russia had failed to make a vitally important dividing line it can scarcely cause much wonder, when we remember that the little sea was for centuries allowed a very humble position in the world's importance. In fact, if the Republic had only let Alaska stand, and had shown no great inter- est in it, its people or its products, the sea would have remained a mere vacant space upon the maps, and the land would still be regarded as a cold, barren, heathen ridden province of very little importance whatever.
It is to Russia's interest that there should be a full understanding before all nations as well as to our own. For if this promiscuous poaching is allowed
158
ALASKA.
to continue, when the seals have been exterminated from the Pribylov Islands, their successful slay- ers will follow them to the Russian side, and then many years cannot pass before the scals are either destroyed or driven from the sea which has been their home so long. Where they will go no one can determine. Natural instinct will lead them to seek safer quarters, and their going may then be as mysterious as their coming has always been.
Of course, the revenue from the seal fisheries is a matter of moment to the exchequer of the Republic, but their destruction would cause little more loss to it than to England and Russia, while, at the same time, the other recources of Alaska are developing so that American energy could soon make them counter- balance the deficiency.
With this comparatively young nation, possessing strong men with indomitable wills and unlimited cour- age and energy, learned scientists, to direct their pow- ers, and untold wealth waiting to be taken from the earth in all directions, it will not be long until this dis- pute will become a thing of the past. But in right and justice the boundaries ought to be settled once for all, and thus prevent forever after such undignified wrang- ling. Poaching is no more legal on water than on land, and if the seals are ours they have a right to be secured in safety, and legal sealers should be made to feel secure in their calling.
159
THE BERING SEA CONTROVERSY.
It seems that sometimes the nations looking on mistake the calm indifference of our Government for either weakness or cowardice. Past history hardly supports that theory. We, as a nation, know that it is perfect self-confidence that rests so quietly while others get into a state of excitement, as if they feared the downfall of the Union on account of this "bone of contention." We have made more rapid strides toward perfect independence than any other nation in the world ever did, and we do not doubt that when we know we are right we will as triumphantly go ahead in this dispute as we have done in others.
Let us look at the affair in a statesmanlike and in- ternational manner. There is already a triple alliance in Europe and an alliance between France and Rus- sia. We contend that there should be an alliance be- tween Russia, Japan, China and the United States, as to Pacific Ocean international rights. Russia, as we have shown, having equal interests over the sea and its seals with Japan, who also owns seal islands, and our Republic, all should join to protect their rights and property from other nations, and should jointly re- sist all marauders of whatsoever nationality.
CHAPTER XXIII.
OUR ALASKAN INTERESTS.
T HE opinion of a great number of the most in- telligent and patriotic citizens, of this and other countries, is that consistent, extensive and well developed preparations for war are very powerful ele- ments toward securing and maintaining peace. In other words, if a nation takes every precaution for the protection of her rights she will be more liable to retain them intact without difficulty. But there are cases in which certain operations are made to present a peculiar aspect and cause questions to arise which should receive immediate attention. One of these interrogations should pertain to England's intention in fortifying the Yukon River, near Alaska, and other places along her boundary claim in a substantial manner. But the gold fever, owing to the discovery of gold in such a large abundance in Upper Yukon, will attract such a large population to this region that the United States Government to protect the rights of her people there, will now have to fortify and protect our side of the line.
In the first place it must always be remembered that Great Britain does not resort to such plans with- out some well digested object, and combining these
160
WRANGEL NARROWS.
OUR ALASKAN INTERESTS. 161
fortifications with the boundary line dispute, it would be very unwise to allow her action to pass unnoticed. Were there garrisoned strongholds opposite, on the side of the United States possessions, we could then account, to a certain extent, for those warlike prepara- tions; but as matters now stand we can look upon theni as but little less than a menace to the govern- ment of the Territory, and through it to the United States.
Entirely at amity with all nations, the United States Government, very unwisely, permitted Forts Tongas and Wrangel to fall into decay, thus withdrawing protection entirely from the coast, except at Sitka. This, too, was allowed to become a thoroughly inert little town, which now would very much prefer the presence of the active military life of a garrison, though it might never fire a gun. The consequence is that the rapidly developing interests of the mining districts of the Yukon, Copper, Forty Mile and other streams, added to the richness of the mines of Doug- las Islands and the mountains back of the busy city of Juneau, have opened the eyes of England to the value of our Territory and their own. Therefore that boundary line, which has remained unchanged for thirty years, and quietly in the possession of the pur- chaser of the district once called Russian America, and as it did for a very much longer time before the transaction, becomes a matter of doubt to the E11-
II
162
glish mind. Not to minds of either Russia or America, however. Acknowledging the idea as plausible that her demands upon the eastern frontier of Alaska, are simply to secure a passageway from British Columbia on the continent, to the Pacific, in this northern region near the mouth of the great Alaskan river, so as to ex- tend her commercial facilities through Canada, it is not possible that any one will suppose that this nation will sacrifice one ell of her property for the sake of another's aggrandizement.
We may suppose that if the United States Govern- ment should form an alliance with any other nation, it would preferably do so with Russia, whose interests in the gold belt of Siberia and in the north Pacific are co-existent with her own, particularly as the com- pletion of the Siberian Railway will one day enhance the commercial capacities of both countries utterly beyond the present powers of calculation, because of the advancement of civilization among Eastern na- tions. When that great gateway, from the empire of the Czar to the Republic of the United States, is opened, as it surely will be, there is not a single doubt but that the strained relations between all of the most deeply interested countries will be swept away. China will come to the realization of the only real difficulty which exists between herself and Christian nations, and we do not doubt that a more perfect peace and friendliness will exist between herself and our Repub- lic than has ever been known heretofore.
163
OUR ALASKAN INTERESTS.
Now that England has taken the initiative, would it not be well to thoroughly and efficiently fortify the old forts which Russia deemed advisable to establish, and to build more according to the vastly increasing valuation of Alaska? It must be a very lukewarm citizen who will doubt the true boundary established by Russia upon the discovery of the land so long bearing the name of Russian America, and he would be unjustifiably weak who would allow any portion of so important a country to fall from our hands. If England requires an Esquimault to maintain and preserve her Canadian territory, neither she nor any other Power can object to the United States building and garrisoning forts, thus giving an equal protection to her citizens and property. For the time only the more aggressive interests of the Powers of the earth are showing the importance of that great Siberian enterprise; but we have a hope that some day, and probably very soon, the shining rails will beckon across from the border city of Kamt- schatka to the unborn city on the most western point of Alaska which rests on the Bering Strait, when the present young Czar of the Russias will announce the Russian side of the boundary line ques- tion, from which decision there can be no possi- ble argument admissible. It is well for patriots to announce their willingness to fight against aggression, but we can see no cause whatever that we should re- sort to arms.
164
ALASKA.
More impossible is it that our government should consider for an instant the advisability of resorting to contention. There is a reasonable, just and al- together honorable and feasible way out of the whole difficulty, a way so simple that every one seems to have looked beyond it for something more formidable. It is, to appoint the proper authorities to wait upon the Russian Government and request a concise statement of the amount of land embraced in its transaction with our government. The preposterous idea of suppos- ing that Russia, or any other nation, would run a boundary line of such importance through a line of irregularly defined islands is not to be entertained under any condition, but before adopting any strenu- ous measures against aggression, let us take the wiser plan proposed above. No one, either nation or in- dividual, can adjudge this cowardice in a country who has more than once supported its grand prerogative against bitter and almost invincible antagonism.
CHAPTER XXIV.
OUR ALASKAN PROPERTY.
T HE probability of the public ill 1 general becoming weary of the often-broached subject of the United States boundary in Alaska should not deter intelligent discussion of the question until it is finally and irrevokably settled.
The development of the natural mineral resources of the Territory is still in its infancy, and it must be acknowledged that the promise of its prospective wealth has been accepted in a very undemonstrative manner, beside which the enthusiasm, which the dis- coveries of gold, silver, copper and other mineral de- posits in California, Colorado, Montana and other lo- calities aroused, once made a very conspicuous con- trast, until the present Klondyke boom manifested itself.
Very limited acquaintance with the climate and with the characteristics of the natives is principally accountable for this, and the Government must bear the reproach of a prolonged neglect, which very de- cidedly aided in establishing this apathetic ignorance. At the same time, if those wealthier states had not displayed their treasures, there can be but little doubt that the discovery of rich mineral areas in Alaska
165
166
ALASKA.
would have been received with wild exultation, and that miners would have flocked to its promising localities, even at the risk of native opposition and Arctic cli- mate. Looking back upon the history of those days, when the "gold fever" prevailed in California, we question if even in the wilds of Alaska there could have been greater disappointment, suffering and de- spair than were experienced in those times.
Now arises a peculiar complication, which, having brought the Territory into prominence, must give it a status in the future.
The Russian Trans-Continental Railroad turns at- tention in that direction, possibly giving its affairs a momentum which it might not have attained for an- other decade or two. And we must deplore the failure of the proposed telegraphic communication with Russia across Bering Sea, which should have been established if the true American spirit, which determines to persevere and conquer all difficulties, had undertaken the enterprise. We doubt if its con- summation would have been much more arduous than the construction of communication by rail and tele- graph across this great Continent, with the vast bul- warks of the Rocky Mountains held defiantly between the East and West.
Why should the United States not have independ- ent intercourse with the great Powers of the Orient instead of submitting to news at second hand? Why
167
OUR ALASKAN PROPERTY.
should she not have a railroad traversing her territo- rial possessions, and eventually connecting, the two vast countries by ferry across Bering Strait, as we suggested years ago? It is true that thirty or forty miles or so of ferry sounds rather formidable in con- trast with the bustling transit across the Delaware, the Hudson, or the East River; but thus far semi- annual mail and freights have been the full extent of intercourse between a great part of northern and northwestern Alaska and the outside world. If, then, the communication through the railroad should in- crease this to many hundreds of times a year, it must lead to a better understanding between Alaska and its companion States and Territories.
The Government has not purposely intended to ignore Alaska, but a strange admixture of circum- stances has diverted the proper legislation for these peculiar people to matters of more apparent impor- tance. Besides, to a considerable extent, the resident officials heretofore have been somewhat meagre in their reports. Now the liquor traffic, which has been allowed in that prohibition Territory to pass without due attention, has been taken up by new officers, who are unwilling to be blinded to its evil influence upon the natives, among whom its fatal enticements have been making serious havoc. It seems that it must be acknowledged that gold has been the watchword that has attracted the fore-
168
ALASKA.
most Powers of two Continents toward the weird northwest, and both have been thoroughly awakened, the one to endeavor to gain possession of a goodly part of the rich mining region, the other to ascertain at this late day that, if she desires to hold unmolested her purchase property, there must be some means of protection provided. We see now how absurd it has been to permit the mines on the Yukon River and Forty Mile Creek to remain entirely without legal jurisdiction, to permit the miners to be so entirely iso- lated that they actually have resided in Canada while working in the United States, because they have had no American home near the mines, except at Circle City. So we have blindly left both mines and men under the colonial protectorate of a foreign Power. We are led to see a slight excuse for England's being tempted to take property in which no one except a few miners seem to have taken much interest. The eastern, western and middle centres of our population should awaken to the needs of Alaska.
Money seems to be the hinge upon which this, as well as other matters of importance, appear to rest. Yet the Treasury refuses the output, and even the desire for improvement in some quarters stagnates, but let appropriations now be made and honest ine11 set to work, and quickly we will have ready, war ves- sels, fortifications and men for this object.
A comparatively reasonable appropriation for the
16g
OUR ALASKAN PROPERTY.
benefit of Alaska would meet with ready returns, for the natives, who are far more intelligent than one would suppose, would join very heartily in securing prosperity for themselves and their adopted kinsmen.
With all the disadvantages under which the Terri- tory has suffered, there is a chord in the hearts of hundreds of Christianized Alaskans which vibrates to the touch of kindness from the hands of the Govern- ment at Washington. The progress of education, which is nearly all carried on through various de- nominational missions, is wonderful when the lengthi of time, the lack of money and the isolation from the proper protection is considered. And the time has already come when natives and half-breeds alike are praying for closer recognition and a nearer tie to the country of which they are, or should be, citizens.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.