280 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



showed me a list of natives, with different sums placed to the credit of 

 each, aud asked my opinion as to whether the amount would be neces- 

 sary for their maintenance during the coming year. I replied "Yes," 

 but 1 thought it very doubtful if the Government would reimburse the 

 lessees for money paid tbe natives, but that an itemized account should 

 be kept of all the supplies furnished them for which they were unable 

 to pay, and that the Government agent in charge of each island should 

 be consulted as to the necessities of the persons seeking relief. 



The gradual decrease of population on the islands of St. George and 

 St. Paul is a subject to which I gave careful consideration. Owing to 

 tlie limited catcli this year and the unfavorable opportunity for those 

 all eady upon the islands to earn enough to support themselves, I did 

 not deem it advisable to encourage immigration. 



One of the customs of the church authorities on these islands is to 

 prohibit any of its followers to intermarry if there is the remotest 

 degree of consanguinity, and even the relation of godfather or god- 

 mother is held to be sufficient to prevent a union. Consequently I 

 found most of the young people on the islands, of suitable age, pre- 

 vented from marrying on account of relationship. Hygienic and sani- 

 tary laws, religious customs, and civil i)iivileges all enter into this 

 question, and require good judgment in arriving at a wise conclusion. 

 1 conferred with the natives on the subject and suggested certain con- 

 ditions whereby permanent residents might be brought upon the 

 islands, and it apparently met their approval, but it further developed 

 the fact that the practice of bringing people from Unalaska or any 

 other place to work during the sealing season has a demoralizing effect 

 upon the native inhabitants and should never be permitted under any 

 circumstances. 



Whenever practicable. Government agents, teachers, and physicians 

 who are to remain on the islands a year or longer should l)e accom- 

 panied by their wives. The example and teachings of white ladies 

 would have a most wholesome effect upon the native women, aud their 

 presence would act as a moral restraint to j)revent many of the irregu- 

 larities complained of in times past. 



The native jiriests can neither speak nor write a word of English, and 

 it would seem as if the Greek Church was opposed to that language 

 being spoken on these islands, for they persist in sending priests to 

 the islands who can speak the Russian language only. While there is 

 no disposition on my part to interfere with religious worship, I submit 

 the suggestion that the authorities of the Greek Church be required to 

 send to the islands only such priests as are capable of conducting their 

 church services in the English language. As it is at present, the action 

 of the priests neutralizes most of the efforts that are being made for 

 the education and improvement of this people. A man calling himself 

 Bishop Valdimer, of the Greek Church, visited the islands just before 

 my arrival and made a demand on the local priests and natives for cer- 

 tain moneys in their possession, to wit, $1,294.55 on St. George and 

 $3,325 on St. Paul. The amount on St. George Island stood to the 

 credit of the church on the lessees' books. The bishop demanded a 

 draft for the same, which the lessee's agent gave him, and it was paid 

 by the company in San Francisco. The $3,325 on St. Paul was left at 

 the comjoany's office by Yaldimer for transportation to San Francisco. 

 In the meantime there came to my notice a circular letter (Exhibit O) 

 which alleged that this man Valdimer was a fraud. I then addressed 

 a commuuicatiou to the lessee's agent (Exhibit P) requesting him not , 



