Show TALK OF TROOPS FOR ALASKA the collector of customs at sitka baa informed the treasury department that much gold is found in the birch creek and yukon valley regions and alie deputy collector at circle which is on the yukon about miles from forty mile creek ea timatea at last summers product of the birch creek district the growth of circle is surprising ine for there are already according to air carlisles report dwelling houses in abo placa which by the way calla itself circle city besides several stores a bakery a barber shop and an opera house alie luxuries of civilization have already crept into this arctic but what mr carlisle proceeds to fay is moro important namely that lie town and the surrounding country are reported to bo tilled with aliens and infested with smugglers the liquor laws are defied and other statutes not enforced noting therefore that canada has put a body of mounted police along her f rou tier w ith plenary powers for enforcing her law s mr carlisle earnestly recommends that Co neresa enact legislation authorizing a force of united slates to be stationed iu this region to adaist the civil authorities in maintaining order and law it ia many years since tr kpa have been stationed in alaska shortly after the territory was acquired a small garrison was sent to the southeastern coast strip aej was there maintained for ten years until withdrawn in the summer of 1877 congress had cut down the army and indian hostilities were raging at the west eo that it was falt a better use of the troops could be made elsewhere besides the lack of roads and the difficulties of transportation limited their employment in alaska and in truth there was liatto for them to do during the period since then the treasury department lias relied largely on its own revenue cutters for extra force except that the navy gunboat pinta is regularly stationed at but meanwhile great mining interests hao sprung up along the upper waters of the yukon and its tributaries tributa ries and questions of j there have also arisen so eliat the treasury feels compelled to aek for troops canada has been prompt to send her armed constabulary thither and in bew of the pending boundary dismute as well as the need of preserving law and order a small force of our regulars would certainly not be amiss in alaska should congress authorize the moderate in creaso of the army which secretary lamont recommends this need of the ar northwest could easily bo met |