ALASKA. 



69 



8, 1896, for the settlement of the claims of British subjects, grow- 

 ing out of the seizures of British vessels in Bering Sea from 1886 

 to 1892, which provided for the appointment of two commission- 

 ers, and it necessary, an umpire. This commission was to sit at 

 \ ictoria, British Columbia, and San Francisco, Cal. Sessions 

 have been held in both places, but as yet, the results of their 

 labors have not been made public. 



SALMON, COD, HERRING, ETC. 



In his report for the hscal year 1891, Governor Knapp, of 

 Alaska, says: 



Among the resources of Alaska are the products of the sea. The native 

 population have alvvavs obtained much of their food supply from the waters, 

 and in a less degree their clothing and manv of the conveniences of life. Their 

 winter supply of food is still largely made up of dried fish, seaweed, and fish 

 eggs, while fresh fish are eaten at all seasons of the year, not only by the natives, 

 but by all classes of people, and the abundance of this product insures the most 

 thriftless with a ready means of subsistence. 



Salmon fishing is by far the largest and most important industry. Thirty- 

 seven canneries and seven or more salting establishments are reported as in 

 operation in 1890. The aggregate pack of the canneries was 688,332 cases of 

 4 dozen i-pound cans, falling a little short of the pack of 1889. The amount 

 of salted salmon was about 7,300 barrels, a little more than the year previous. 

 These salmon fisheries represent a capital of about ^4,250,000, and they give 

 employment to about 2,000 white laborers, 2,500 Chinamen, and 1,000 natives, 

 and require in their business, for transportation and their work, about 100 steam 

 vessels and 500 fishing boats. The white and Chinese laborers do not usually 

 remain in the Territory after the season is over. Below is given a comparative 

 statement of the canned product since 1883, viz: 



