INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 223 



in cod jfishing. Gambell is an excellent site for a large village. If 

 necessai'Y, several thousands of inhabitants could reside there. A very 

 large fresh-water lake is not the sole attraction., Dither tfiO/ Govern- 

 ment, in the interest of its proteges, the EskiUiOfe, could devmopi tho 

 cod fishing, making St. Lawrence Island the headquarters and employ- 

 ing a man like Mr. Kjellmann or someone else familiar with the whole 

 conduct of a fishing enterprise, and employ thirtV ol/forty Norwegians 

 or other experienced fishermen equipped with the proper cr'.ifT,/neX!?i, 

 lines, hooks, etc., with Eskimos for crews, or private capital could p-o- 

 mote such an enterprise. The native could bo paid a proper wage for 

 services. At present the Eskimos in Alaska are threatened with exter- 

 mination, not being able to adapt themselves very well to tUo condi- 

 tions incident upon the influx of prospectors among them. The food 

 problem is a very serious one, but strong drink and vice are greater 

 evils. If properly surrounded by Government protection on St. Law- 

 rence Island, I have no doubt that this race would have a longer lease 

 of life. Not only should the interest of humanity impel our Govern- 

 ment to protect our proteges, who have no small claim upon the peo- 

 ple of the United States, in view of the fact that American whalemen 

 and sealers have very considerably despoiled them of their food supply, 

 notably Avhales, walruses, and seals. Codfish, when salted, would form 

 a staple food for the Eskimos on St. Lawrence Island. The cod could 

 be cured by exposure to the sun, according to Mr. Kjellmann, on the 

 mainland of Alaska, near Unalaklik. 



