The report for 1916 is not completed at present, but it is possible that it will show a slight decrease in the above averages. These figures show that the herd in the absence of some unusual catastrophe will double about every four years.

If a market can be developed for the meat there is no doubt but what the Gambell natives will reap a rich harvest annually from their herd. It seems certain, however, that the natives will need the protection of the government for many years to come before they can be trusted with full property rights in the reindeer.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC SCHOOL, CAPE PRINCE OF WALES, BERING STRAIT.

By JAMES H. MAGUIRE, Teacher.

The Cape Prince of Wales Eskimos are of a different type from those found elsewhere. According to tradition the Wales men of long ago were great fighters, constantly waging war with their neighbors and welcoming to their band the offenders and outcasts from neighboring or even distant places. Undoubtedly, before Columbus began his voyages, the Cape Prince of Wales men flourished, and we need not depend entirely on their own more or less hazy legends for such information. Deep in the ancient glacier here, under the accumulation of ages, we have recovered quantities of domestic utensils, as well as various implements of warfare, proving that long ago the Wales fighting man had the tools of his profession. Judging from the physique of his descendants, he was well able to handle himself in any company and at any time. The ancient Wales Eskimo laid the foundation of a most sturdy and healthy All that has been said and written of the weakness of the Eskimos, their deterioration, eventual extermination, and kindred prophesy can not possibly stand in the light of the facts regarding the Eskimos of this settlement. In a climate such as that of the Bering Strait region, only the fittest survive. The Cape Prince of Wales men and women of to-day are the most fit, man for man and woman for woman, that the writer has ever seen after many years of close contact with and observation of many races of people.

race.

This is probably one of the largest villages in the northwestern district and it is unfortunate in having undoubtedly the worst all-year climate in all Alaska. At this date, June 30, there is more snow visible than bare ground, and it is beyond the understanding of white men just why these Eskimos prefer the Cape Prince of Wales region to other more desirable and much more productive locations.

After two years' continuous residence here we believe tradition governs to a much greater degree than is generally understood; the present-day Eskimo is very loath to leave the land of his forefathers and tackle the problem of existence elsewhere. We think that could a portion of this village be transferred to some other district or settlement, the strong Wales blood would strengthen any section to which these people might be encouraged to move.

At Wales an undercurrent of superstition is much in evidence and it proves a great detriment to substantial advancement. Such superstition is constantly fostered by intercourse with the semibarbaric natives from the Siberian coast. We had a visit from five boat loads of Siberians during the present month. None of the Siberian Eskimos compare favorably in physique or in intelligence with our people, yet Wales natives with great hospitality, in contrast to their warlike traditions, entertained the visitors with feasts, songs, dances, and

elaborate Christian Mission services, after which a general trading was indulged in. As to whether the Christianized native or the barbarian proved the better trader we can not say, but our opinion is that only an Eskimo, and an Eskimo of the keenest type, can match the Wales native at trading. Trade is a passion instilled into the smallest of the race.

The fewer visitors we have from the Siberian coast the better it will be for the advancement of our people. From time to time these visits are exchanged, and at such times ancient customs, songs, and dances are revived, all tending to a retrograde movement.

Undoubtedly a fair proportion of Wales people believe that the white man's way is superior to their own and try sincerely to follow it as best they can. However, there are many who will cling to their own manners and customs to the end of their lives and whose dead bodies will be hauled up among the rocks of Cape Prince of Wales Mountain, where their bones will be scattered and mingled with those of their ancestors. The older Wales native is a hopeless case, and unobstructed advancement will only begin when he is gone. for good. Probably we are too enthusiastic in the matter of advancement and perhaps too impatient to see accomplished that which required generations for its development. However, we know certain Eskimos whose sole ambition is to improve not only themselves but their race in general. Such ambitious natives are found in every community, but they are exceptional enough to be most interesting. The salvation of the race lies with the present-day school pupil.

The strong hand is neither feared nor appreciated by the Wales youth, and gentle methods are apt to be looked upon as signs of weakness. Corporal punishment is an offense to the community, for the reason that the Eskimo child is master of the parent; this is most evident here, as elsewhere in Alaska. The most effective punishment is suspension from school. Even threatened suspension brings discipline when other means fail. The warm, clean, and comfortable schoolroom with its interesting work is preferable to the Eskimo home or even the kosga, or clubhouse.

Health. An epidemic of chicken pox spread to this place from a small settlement down the coast. Practically every home had a number of cases. All children responded promptly to the ordinary treatment. More than usual snow blindness was noted, but the number of blood affections, such as boils and carbuncles was reduced, probably on account of the large quantities of fresh whale meat available toward springtime. There were nine births and five deaths. Medical assistance was given 2,900 times, and 1,647 visits were made to homes. At the end of the term we have no cases of serious illness, with the exception of one stubborn case of muscular rheumatism. The syphilitic cases are practically cured.

Reindeer. During the year several meetings were held with those engaged in the reindeer industry. Differences of business affairs were thrashed out and adjusted.

A delegation comprising 14 men and 1 woman made the trip from Wales to the Igloo reindeer fair. Sixteen sleds and 21 sled deer constituted the outfit. Contests were entered into and the Wales delegation succeeded in winning a fair proportion of prizes. This speaks well for the individual, but we regret to say that the get-together spirit is woefully lacking in this community and will have to be developed before Wales deer men make a complete success of this great enterprise.

Relief of destitution.—This is one of the serious problems for Wales teachers, particularly if they are not equipped with very hard hearts; if not so

equipped, they will often be the victims of misplaced charity. Begging is chronic in many Eskimos. A great deal of food, clothing, and utensils was distributed under the belief that the need was imperative, and probably in a great number of cases it was; but when a Nome fur buyer distributed over $1,000 in cash for skins that had long been cached we noted that a large number of the sellers were among the chronic "needy."

Town council.-The Wales native council is a permanent institution, and it is doing good work. Throughout the year the councilmen took charge of all differences and settled the same with dispatch and fairness. Village sanitation was carefully looked after, and a great improvement is apparent. Village roads were straightened and new ones cut when and where required. Drains were opened, and all refuse was burned or buried. The work was all done by the able-bodied men. Two days' labor was required, and in almost every case the work was done willingly. There were some who complained that the president and secretary of the council did not handle shovels as well as the others, but when the necessity of overseers was explained grumbling ceased. The same general plan of village improvement will be in operation during the present summer, and we anticipate still better results.

Notes. During the summer months the school building was renovated and thoroughly cleaned. A new floor was laid in the large classroom, and all walls and ceilings received two very much-needed coats of paint. New standard desks were set up, and the room brightened and improved both in appearance and comfort. With the assistance of a native workman the floors of 11 rooms were painted, while 7 rooms received paint on walls, ceilings, and floors.

A new school bell was placed on the main building; three new stoves were set up. A new bathroom was installed. All chimneys were overhauled and new tiles placed where required. A very short and exceedingly wet summer prevented other outdoor improvements which had been planned.

No cases of intoxication were reported during the fiscal year.

The seal catch was lighter than that of 1914-15, totaling 2,400. A good walrus season netted 243, and one bow-head whale was bombed April 21. The bone was only 5 feet long, but the meat was a great treat to the people, as no whale had been taken in these waters for 10 years. Only 11 white foxes were trapped; no red fox, and no mink. Fishing was good, and eider ducks plentiful in the spring months. No ptarmigan were taken during the year.

Bering Straits were blocked with ice for three weeks, and communication was established with Diomede Island.

The shore ice moved out June 20, and the U. S. S. Bear arrived June 21. No missionary was appointed to Wales; therefore the church work devolved upon the teachers. Three services were conducted each week throughout the year. The church committee as usual cared for the janitor work. The choir practiced Friday afternoons and did very good work.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF ALASKA, 1916.

The natives of Alaska.-According to the United States census report of 1910 there were in Alaska 25,331 persons classified as Indians. This included those of mixed blood, of whom there is a considerable number. No census of the native population has been taken since 1910, but it is probable that the native population has remained practically stationary, perhaps showing a slight increase in some sections and decreases in other places. The natives of south

eastern Alaska are by far the most prosperous in the Territory. Health conditions among them are undoubtedly better than elsewhere. Civilizing influences are apparent in many of the native towns and villages, due to the work among these natives of the teachers of the U. S. Bureau of Education, under whose direction schools are maintained, and the influence of the missionaries who labor among them. The gospel of cleanliness and sanitation is preached and practiced by many of the teachers and preachers, as well as the doctrine of godliness, and the result of their combined work is seen in the village streets, in the homes, and in the personal appearance of these people. Some of these native towns have a measure of local self-government. They elect their town councils, promulgate ordinances dealing with health conditions and sanitation, and enforce them; certain police regulations are maintained, and, taken all in all, the progress thus made is particularly gratifying. There are a number of cooperative mercantile stores, financed by native capital and managed by natives, under the superintendence of the school-teachers. These stores are successfully conducted and are in themselves a means of giving to the natives a business education that can not be provided in any other way. Thus they see the benefits of cooperation, and the annual dividends that the stockholders in these commercial enterprises receive are to them an object lesson in thrift and saving. There are also a number of sawmills conducted by natives, which not only supply them with lumber for their houses and for boat building, but a market also is found for their product among white settlers in contiguous communities. The principal occupation of the natives of Alaska is fishing, and in the southeastern section many of them own their own gas boats, in whose management they are usually as expert as the white men.

Vocational training among these natives should be greatly extended in order to better fit them to cope with the changing conditions which the settlement of a territory inevitably brings. Vocational or industrial training is carried on to some extent in the native schools, but there is a fertile field for its extension, if sufficient appropriations could be secured from Congress for its enlargement. The native mind is alert and receptive, and they are quick to learn how to do the things that they see the white men do.

The Indians of Alaska have never been wards of the Government; they have never been clothed and fed at Government expense, and with them it has at all times been necessary to fight for their own physical existence or perish. Centuries of existence under these conditions have taught them self-reliance, and it is rarely that the native peoples of Alaska suffer from physical want, given good fishing and hunting seasons and opportunity for employment. The salmon fishing and canning gave employment to some 5,000 natives during the last fiscal year, and, where they are frugal and thrifty, the money thus earned aids them materially in procuring supplies of food and clothing for the winter season. This people are entitled to receive the utmost consideration from the Government. The schools are giving them education; they are anxious to emulate the white man in business and industrial methods, not for purpose of competition, but that they may be better fitted for taking their places as citizens of the United States, an ambition that permeates the very core and fiber of those natives whose intelligence has been quickened by education and contact with white civilization. In this connection, it may be here stated that the Alaska Legislature, session of 1915, passed laws providing for the incorporation of native communities, and the admission of those natives to citizenship who possess the necessary qualifications detailed in the law. A few have taken advantage of this law and have applied for citizenship, and some of the native communities have sought incorporation.