having barred it up with trees and rocks, guarded it with firearms,
refusing to allow any one to pass until their friends came up with them.

So lawless did they become that they threatened to shoot the first man
who ventured to approach the barrier.

Party after party arrived at the pass, until finally there was a crowd
of two thousand people waiting in the narrow gorge to be allowed to pass
the barrier.

This state of affairs continued for several days, until a party of men,
more resolute than the rest, pushed their way to the front, made a rush
for the barrier, and overcame the resistance.

The waiting crowds promptly pushed aside the barricade, and began to
file through the narrow pass; but so eager was each man to be first into
the land of gold that the travellers pushed each other aside, knocked
their fellows down, and trampled them under foot till the pass looked
like a battlefield.

It is strange how men lose all sense of humanity when they are thirsting
for gold. The stories of jealousy, hatred, robbery, and murder which
have followed the rush for riches into the Klondike are a repetition of
the lawless doings of '49 in California.

The question of providing food for these eager hordes has been
considered by the President and his Cabinet during the past week.

It has been decided to send two detachments of troops to Alaska, to
preserve order and carry supplies to those who are in need of them.

As it will be necessary to send the supplies before Congress can meet
and make an appropriation for it, General Alger, the Secretary of War,
has agreed to purchase the provisions at his own expense, and trust to
Congress to pay him back.

* * * * *

A report is current in London that a great honor has been conferred on
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the English Ambassador at Washington.

The term for which he was appointed ends next year, in 1898, but it is
said that in consideration of the good service he has done, Lord
Salisbury has obtained permission of the Queen to keep Sir Julian in
office for another year.

The rumor that a new arbitration treaty is to be prepared is again being
circulated.

We told you some time ago that it was likely that another treaty would
be arranged for, and it is now said that Sir Julian Pauncefote is to be
kept in office that he may have ample time to arrange the details of a
new agreement which shall be favorably received by both countries.

It is