VOLUME XVII. NO. 33. TELEPHONE MAIN 4« NOME. ALASKA. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1917. TELEPHONE MAIN 46. PRI„S 26 CENTC
WAY BE OVEBT ACT PECLABED BY PBESIPENT TO BE A SASUS BELLI
AMERICAN SHIP
HOUSATANIC SUNK
BY SUBMARINE
International News Service.
LONDON, Feb. 3.—It la reported by
IJoyds that the American Steamship
Housatanlc has been sunk by a sub
marine oft the Sicilly islands.
This announcement coming almost
coincidentally with the news from
Washington that the United States
awaite an overt act of Germany
against American ships and livc3 is
considered significant.
It is declared that if the United
S'ates intends to preserve the rig^hs
of Americans to use the high seas by
a re3ort to force, the time has now
arrived when America must formally
enter the war against Germany.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.—The state
department has received no informa
tion of the sinking of the Housatanlc
through official channels according to
ar. announcement mado to the press.
If the press report is substantiated
the matter will receive proper atten
tion from the government. ■
BRITISH MINISTRY
ASKS PEOPLE TO
LIMIT THEIR FOOD
International New* Service.
LONDON, Fern. 3.—As a result of
the German active operations of sub
marines and cruisers In preying on
British commerce a shortage of some
l. nds Of food In foreshadowed on iho
Hi t'sh Islands.
, .The food branch of the ministry
has Issued an appeal to all people to
limit, their consumption of bread to
four pounds a week per person. It is
urged that no one will consume .dur
ing the Impending shortage more than
t'*c end a half pounds of meat week
ly and not more than three quarters
i of 9 pound of sugar weekly.
The people are urged to eat freely
of potatoes and vegetables and to be
c; reful to prevent waste of various
kinds of food.
An appeal Is made to all classes
o' people to remember that this is
only a precautionary measure in case
shipping should not be permitted to
sail the seas free. It has been de
clared that plans ore being made to
sweep the seas clear of the Orman
submarine and that this will eventual
ly be accomplished.
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES
ORDER MOBILIZATION
OF STATE MILITIA
International Nawa 8ei*vioe.
ROCKFORD. III., Feb. 3.—Members
o' the third regiment of Illinois mill
tin at home on leave of absence have
been notlfled by the war department
to return to Fort Sheridan near Chi
cago Immediately.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Feb. 3.—An
immediate mobilization of the militia
of Connecticut has been ordered at
tide city by the federal government.
II la said that this call will be re
spcnded to by the members of the
various regiments to a man.
CHICAGO, Feb. S.—It is evident
ficm dispatches received from all
1 ports of the country that the federal
, government is mobilising the armed
I troops in anticipation of trouble which
may be of a domestic nature owing
. to the large number of German sym
pathizers in some sections.
| rublic sentiment hero will not al
low any pro-Gertnnn demonstrations.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
IN WASHINGTON ARE
HEAVILY GUARDED
International News 8orvics.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.—The state
department has notified all neutral
governments of the action of the Uni
ted States following Germany’s with
dtawai at pledges net to sink vessels
except under the rules laid down in
well-understood international law.
Every public building here has been
p'uccd under close police guard. Es
pecially is the White House sur
rounded by a strong fores of armed
NIGHT SESSION OF CAB! IT
DECIDES TO SEVER REL I NS;
GERARD ORDERED Ri LIED
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i li-'srnational News Service.
! WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.—Following
a long night session the president and
on I (net decided to break off diplomatic
relations with Germany,
i This was announced early this
morning by various officials who said
that diplomatic relations with Oer
! many will be broken off at once and
' the attitude of the United States gov
j eminent will be stated by the presi
dent at two o'clock this afternoon
when he will address a joint sess'on
■
i
of congress.
Until the president makes his ex
planation the reasons underlying the
government’s action will not be an
nounced.
As a result of the cabinet meeting
and the course to be pursued by the
United States, Secretary of State
I.t.nsing has Instructions to recall
Ambassador Gerard from Berlin at
once. A cabh gram has been sent to
Gerard telling him to ask for his pass -
port today.
In his address before the Join*, ses
sion of congress today the president
will censure the German government
fer withdrawing all pledges given to
the United States, so it is said by a
cpb'nct member. Ho will say that
Germany’s action throws the sttua- j
ti. n back to the condition it wa3 in !
at the time of the Sussex case.
Ambassador Bernstorff received the j
news that he was to be handed his
pcssports from a representative of
the International News Service. He
expressed no surprise but appeared
plainly disappointed.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels has
issued orders that no one not con
nected with the service will be per
mi'ted to enter any part of any Uni
ted States navy yard or naval sta
tion in this country or an any of the
outlying islands.
All kinds of sleigh and ski wood on
sale at Ross' mill and shop. Also
building and mining timber.
BERNSTORFF RECEIVES HIS PASSPORTS—
U. S. DEMANDS RELEASE AMERICANS—
SPAIN TO WAR ON GERMANY
Ytcrnational Now* Service.
NEW YORK, Feb. S.—German Am
bassador Bernstorff received his pass
ports from tho stato deparement to
day at 2 o'clock which was tho hour
sot for the president's address before
the joint session of the houses of
cor.gres3.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.—The state
department has sent a peremptory
demand to Germany to release all
American citizens taken prisoners on
I the British ship Yarrowdale.
Ambassador Gerard transmitted
their names to the German govern
ment.
WASINGTON, Feb. 3.—Announce
ment was made today at 12:15 that
American Ambassador Gerard had
been recalled from his post at Berlin.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.—Despite
the break with Germany Count Von
Tnrnow, the new Austrian ambassador
to the United States, called on Presl- f
dent Wilson this morning to present
his credentials from Austria-Hungary.
PARIS, Fem. 3.—The news from
Madrid is of such a nature that it is
| expected here that Spain will enter
the war as a result of Germany’s nc- i
tion.
It is stated that Spain is prepar
ing to take a drastic step the details
of which are unknown.
NEW YORK, Feb. 3.—The crew of
the interned Austrian freighter Him*
alaya in Newark bay immediately
smashed the engines of their vessel
on receipt of the nows that a break
iln diplomatic relations lmd been made
by the United States with Germany.
NOTICE.
You should keep posted on the war
and International and local news of
the day by subscribing for the Nome
Drily Nugget. $2.00 per month.
PRESIDENT DEFINES AMERICAS
POSITION AS TO GERMANY
Iii*«rniti*nil News Service.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.—The mem
bers of the senate and tho cheif Jus
tice and members of the supreme
crurt went into the house this after
noon to listen to President Wilson’s
sudreas in explanation of America's
mllude toward the German rcpu
dit t>on of her pledges to the United
S i tea. This Is the first time under
Wlecn’s administration that the su
ii cmo court has attended a joint ses
sion of the houses of congress.
President Wilson said In part:
“f nly an actual overt act will make
me. believe that Germany will sacri
fice American ships and Americans.
If they do I will come again to con
i' c st.”
Ihe president then recalled the case
mm who have been instructed to chal
lenge the approach of any person who
is not known to be a responsible gov
ernment official.
The state department has announc
ed tha suspension of the issuance of
all passports to Germany.
OL the steamship Sussex when a de
mand was mndc on Germany that she
t-ohrre to the international rules of
wrrfare on the sea. In case Germany
did not then agree to these rules the
United States threatened to sever re
lations with that country. Germany
tl tn mads the desired pledges.
Now that these promises by the
Imperial government so made in the
Sussex Instance have been withdrawn,
sa<d the president there Is no course
left to the United States but tc
ifer diplomatic relations In accord
•incr with the threat made following
Ur Sussex Incident.
Ihe president continued, "If Invet
erate confidence on my part should
unhapiily have been unfounded, If
American ships are sun!; and Ameri
cans are sacrificed by Germany's
nival commanders in heedless con
travention of Just and reasonable un
»tiflandings regarding International
lew, I shall come again before con
gress to ask authority to use any
meant' necessary for protection of our
people Ju ih< t peaceful errands on
/■
th.- high teas. I can do nothing less
til *n take it ter granted that all other
n.-jtuU will dc the same."
TRAITOR TRIES TO SINK
U. S. DESTROYER
International News Service.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 3.—Tho
Ur.lted States destroyer Jacob
Jones was barely kept from sinking
this morning in her slip at the League
island navy yard as the result of u
picmedlatated act on the part of n
machinist’s mate whose name has
been withheld.
The culprit was caught in tho act
of pulling open the seacocks of the
vessel and after being roughly hand
led by his shipmates was thrown into
Irens.
INTERNED VESSELS
ARE GUARDED
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It tarnational News Servic0.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 3.—The fleet
of interned German vesseU in this
i port have been surrounded by United
States gunboats.
Officials on being asked to explain
hove refused to give any reason for
the manoeVer.
The Germans on board the ships
show no sign3 of unwonted activity
but it is believed the collector of the
pert had reasons for thinking that the
interned ships might attempt a dash
to sea. This suggestion is thought to
bo without foundation as they could
ccsily be overhauled.
That tho Germans will try to sink
their ships is deemed probable but
it Is Impossible to conceive how the
gunboats can prevent such acts.