VOLUME XIV. VALDEZ, ALASKA, TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1016. NI MBER ST
CLIDE LINER IS
HELPLESS IN GALE
* ('«£’* are Racing to Assistance of
Steamer Carrying Hundreds —
Steamers Answer Call.
NORFOLK, March 6.—A Clyde
truer hound from New York to Liver
pool with hundreds of pasengers
aboard is helples several hundred
witae off the coast in a storm. The
wireless calls for assistance state
that the shaft had broken and the
steamer was drifting helplessly in
the trough of the waves.
Ijater advices state that the call
(or assistance had ben answered by
steamers within the radius of the
* wireless and that the passengers will
be taken off If the vessel Is threaten
ed with destruction.
Powerful tugs have ben dispatched
to the assistance of the liner which
wir bestowed back to New York for
The npws that the steamer
was disabled has caused the relatives
«f the pasengers to swamp the office
of the company with enquiries re
garding her safety.
MILLION DOLLARS
WHEAT DESTROYED
«
lr«M*rfa Fire Fighters Hart IMfficulty
in Confining Flames to Eleva
tor Where Fire Originated.
%
I'l&OItiA, March 7.—An elevator
co.nu&ining seven hundred and fifty
Urunaand bushels of wheat was de
stroyed by fire here last night, re
sulted in a loss of more than one mil
lion dollars. The origin of the fire
•is a. mystery which is being investi
gated by the federal ^secret service
agents as it is believed to have been
of incendiary origin.
When the alarm was turned in the
entire fire-fighting force :>f the city
responded but the flames had gained
such headway that the department
t rnpkiy^J its efforts to keeping the
iir«7si_»ned to the elevator and with
difficulty prevented the flames spread
ing to other elevators. The grain
was awaiting shipment to the Atlan
tic coast as it was destined for Eu
ropean countries, f
CITIZENS LEAVE
VERDUN IN RUSH
Battles in Air Between French and
German Aviators are Frequent
' )
and Many Fires Started.
NEW YORK, March 7.—Dispatches
have been, revived here from the
corresrondent of .~e Associated Press
In Verdun "which says that thousands
»f citizens are leaving the city for
Southern France. The government
hns; provided trains for the refugees
t» leave the city but so great has the
nuk been that many womba and, chil
dren have spe„* two or ttyi'ee' days at
tbs stations awaiting an' opportunity
of getting away from thd danger
7 During the terrific assaults of the
tiww troops against tho forts sur
rounding the city, German aviators
have been busy bombarding the out
Iffng districts and have caused hun
dreds of flpes.. The fire departments,
aecezdlng to the dispatches, ' have
been kept busy day and night but
have so dar succeeded In preventing
a general conflagration.
Battles in the air over the city be
tween French and German aviators
arn of dally occurrence and have re
united ip mapy machines being de
stroyed. v
GERMAN RAIDER MOEWE ELUDED PATROLS
AND RETURNED TO OWN HOME PORT
BERLIN, March 7.—All Germany
Is celebrating with joy today over the
astonishing success of the German
commerce raider Moewe which is re
ported by the Gorman admiralty to
have eluded the British and French
patrols and entered Wilhelmhaven
harbor safely last night.
According to the official announce
ment of the German admiralty the
Moewe brought one hundred and
ninety-nine prisoners of war with her
into Wilhelmshaveu whom she had
taken from British vessels captured
on the high seas. The raider also
brought a portion of the gold captur
ed on British liner Appam when that
vessel was'seized off the coast of Af
rica. The bullion is valued at more
than one million marks.
The Admiralty statement says thit
Captain Burgrave, Commanding the
Moewe and Count von Hodna Schol-'
dien, commander of the German prize
crew of the vessel, have returned to
-315
VESSEL WHICH DESTROYED FlOTPEEN BRITISH SHIPS AND SENT
TWO LARGE LINERS INTO NEUTRAL PORTS AS WAR PRIZES
REPORTED BY GERMAN ADMIRALTY TO HAVE ENTERED HOME
PORT WITH TWO HUNDRED PRISONERS OF WAR AND BULLION
VALUED AT MILLION MARKS—SUCCESS OF THE RAIDER HAH
CAUSED ENGLAND TO DOUBT EFFECTIVENESS OF BLOCKADE
a German port after a successful
cruise lasting several months. Dur
ing he^. cruise the Moewe destroyed
fifteen vessels of the enemy nations
in-addition to sending two valuable
British “ ships into neutral ports as
war prises.
When the Moewe arrived she had
on board twenty-nine British officers,
one-hundred and sixty-nine sailors
who had been members of the crews
of the steameto destroyed. Among
the prisoners were one hundred and
three Bast Indians who had been tak
en from' the steamers before they
were destroyed.
The officers of the Moewe reported
that they arrived at the mouth of
the Weiser yesterday disguised as a
Swedish vessel and that they passed
close to a number of British vessels
which had received warning that
she was raiding commerce in the
South Atlantic.
Emperor William has ordered that
the commander of the Moewe be giv
en the Iron Cross in recognition of
his services in destroying the com
merce ships of the enemy nations.
The safe arrival of tha raider it
her home port has caused the entire
nations to celebrate as tf for a nation
al holiday and it is predicted that the
raiders will soon clear the sea of
ships which have been carrying sup
plies to England which will soon feel
the pinch of starvation to which she
has subjected Germany by attempting
to blockade her coast.
Consternation in England.
LONLkj.i, March 7.—The news
from Berlin that the German com
merce raider Moewe, which captured
the British liner Appam and many
other vessels, has returned in safety
to Wllhelm8haven has created con
sternation throughout England. Fears
are entertained that the blockade
which the British Admiralty claims
to have been maintaining against the
coast of Germany has not been ef
fective and that Oilier raiders may
have eluded the patrol. The admi
ralty is being severely criticised by
the press and the people.
U. 8. CONSUL GENERAL
AT CAIRO PASSES AWAY
WASHINGTON, D. C„ March 7. —
Official advices have been received by
the State department announcing the
death of Consul General Olney Am
old at Cairo. The message is very
brief, merely stating that he had
passed away In a hospital. It is be
lieved that death followed an oper
ation as recent letters from him ex
presed the fear that he would have
to submit to the surgeon’s knife.
NEW ADMIRAL LINER
COMING NORTH SOON
The steamship Aeroliue, which was
recently chattered by the Admiral
Line, will be in the Alaska service
about the tenth of March, and will
make regular trips as both passen
ger and freight carrier. The Aero
line is a good sized steamer, wilh
state room accommodation for 125
first class passengers, and in addition
is a heavy freight carrier. She will
have as master Captain Kenney, who
is about, the best known of any of the
old timers in this section, having
been first officer and pilot on the Ber
tha, Portland ana several of the old
Northwestern Steamship Company’s
boats, and until recently pilot on the
Admiral Wats.on.
NEWTON D. BAKER
SECRETARY OF WAR
■ ■' --
President Wilson has Appointed For
mer Mayor of Cleveland to Va
cancy in His Cabinet.
I
WASHINGTON, D. C. March 7.—
President Wilson has settled all spec
ulation as to who would be selected
to succeed Secretary Garrlslon of the
War| department ,by naming Newton
D. Baker, former mayor of the city of
Cleveland to the vacancy in the cabi
net.!
T)he Appointment has created con
sirejdaljle surprise among the officials
in the capital as it was believed that
in view of the - administration’s na
ional defense measure conning before
the present congress that some mem
ber oft he cabinet would W named.
The new secretary of the War. 0e
partment has been prominently iden
tified with the political affairs hi
tfhio for years and had the wU^qup
port of the congress from his state!
President Wilson and Mft>Baker art
known to have been In frequent con
ference at the White House and it is
believed that be is thoroughly in ac
cord with the President's ideas as to
jhe necessary measures to provide
for the nation's defense, _ '
f.’ 1 * 1 1 .
[j The regular buainesa meeting of
the Eastern Star will be held #thit
evening, March 7, at 8 o’clock.
HENRY COCKERILLE, Sec. ’
One Big Show at the Empress to
ilght at 8:10 sharp. See the fine pro
gram advertised. ,
THREE CREMATED IN FORT
GIBBON BARRACKS FIRE
DEAD WERE MEMBERS OF COMPANY B, FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.
WHO FAILED TO ESCAPE FROM THE BURNING BUILDING—
OTHERS SAVED THEIR LIVES BY JUMPING FROM WINDOWS TO
. FROZEN GROUND—MANY SEVERELY CUT BY BROKEN WINDOW
_ GLASS—CARTRIDGES EXP1XIDED WITH TERRIFIC FUSILLADE |
AND AMMUNITION HOUSE CO MPLKTELY DESTROYED.
j -j ...
FORT GIBBON, March 7.—Fin
this morning destroyed the largest
barracks in Fort Gibbon and caused
tlio deaths of three nlen. Tlio dead
wore members of Company B, Four
teenth Infantry, and are Private Her
man Lund, Private Henrie Miner and
Private Curtis B. Willis. The bodies
iiavo been recovered from the ruins
The fire started in the main hall
way on the east side of tlui building
and had gained headway before be
ing discovered. Tlio fire extinguish
er was close to Miner’s bed and at the
cull of fire he seized it and attempted
to fight the flames. The men wore
half awake and blinded by the smoke.
Corporal Wade ordered Miner to drop
the extinguisher and jump through a
window, but he disregarded the order
and opening a door stepped into the
flames. He died instantly. Private
Lund was overcome by the smoke,
but bad crawleu twenty feet from his
bed before he succumbed. Willis had
evidently' been suffocated by the
smoke as his remains wore fouml
near his bed.
Several of the men received severe
cuts from the glass when they broke
Hie windows with their bare hands or
wore Injured by striking the frozen
ground with their hare feet.
Immediately after the tire was di#
covered a quantity of oil stored in a
building adjoining the barracks was
removed by the tire fighters were un
able to reach the ammunition stored
in the building. The cartridges ex
ploded with a terrific fusillade hut no
one was injured by the flying bullets
The ammunition house was totally
destroyed.
The puuip house, which is the on!}'
source of water supply for the Post
caught fire and was saved with diffi
culty. A strong wind was blowing,
with the mercury standing at 15 de-,
grees below zero, and it was with dif
ficulty that the flames were confined
to the barrackB where they origi
nated.
TERRIFIC FIGHTING AT VERDUN
POSITIONS ARE UNCHANGED
GERMANS WAGED VIOLENT ASSAULT AGAINST THE FRENOE LINK
FROM HOUDREMONT WOOD TO DOUAMONT FORTS FOR FORTY
EIGHT HOURS BUT WERE UNABLE TO PENETRATE THE LINES
—BELIEVED GERMANS ARE PLANNING OFFENSIVE NEAR
RHEIMS TO DIVERT FRENCH STRENGTH FROM BEFORE VER
DUN—RUSSIAN FLEET BOMBBARDS CITY OF TREBIZOND ON
THE BLACK SEA.
PARIS, March 7.—Advices from
litfi Prfehch army headauarters at
Verdun are to the effect that the
fighting on Sundav was the most san
guinary since the Germai offensive
novement began on tho western
front. The forts at Douamont, accord
ing to the dispatches, were violently
lombarded by the German artillery
hroughout the day and night. On
Monday tlie Germans made a heavy
attack against the French front from
TToudremont wood to Douamont fort.
This assault, the dispatches state,
.vas repulsed and resulted In no ma
• orlal change of the positions of the
apposing armies.
Fear Attack Near Rtietms
PARIS, March 7.—French mili
tary authority ..oueve that the Ger
mans are preparing to begin an of
fensive movement west of Rheims in
an effort to divert the strength of the
French troops from Verdun where
they have been unable to break the
blockade to penetrate the French
lines. Reinforcements are being rush
ed to the threatened positions as it is
realized that should the Allies lines
be broken there that Paris would be
endangered.
Planning Another Offensive
LONDON, March 7.—Early morn
ing dispatches from Paris say that
the German offensive against the
French positions near Verdun which
have been terrific during the past
forty-eight hours is slacking and it
is believed that, they are planning
another attack. Both sides are taking
advantage of the lull to care for the
wounded and bring up supplies. The
dispatches state that the Germans
suffered heavy casualties in an un
succc ssful attempt to storm the
French positions near HUeims.
Black Sea Fleet Active
PBTROGRAD, Marty 7.—“OffityH
advices have been received by the
w«cr office stating that the Russian
Black sea fleet had bombarded Trebi
zond, tho Turkish fortified city on
the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor.
The bombaiument took place on
March 1st and resulted 'n several
Turkish merchant vessels being sent
to the bottom.
American Gansul Injured
LONDON, March 7.—Advices from:
Petrograd state that it is reported ;
there that the American co/isul was
seriously injured by an exploding
shell when the? Russian fleet bombard
ed the? Turkish Asia Minor city of
Trebizond. The American State de
partment has been uotified of the un
confirmed report.
LISBON STREET
CARS ARE TIED UP
Serious Rioting Reunited in Efforts
of Company to Operate Cara by
Employing Non-Union men.
LISBON, March 7.—The entire
street ear service in thlf^ city has
been tied up as ti result of the mem
bers of the Street Cars Mey’s union
being called out when their demands
for higher wages were denied by the
officials of the company.
Violent rioting resulted from the
efforts of the company to operate the
cars with strike breakers and troops
were necessary to guard the lives of
the train cr^ws until the cars could
be returned to the barns. The strikers
have the sympathy of the citizens
and other labor unions have declared
a boycott against union members rid
ing on cars until the strike is settled
by granting the demands of the strik
ers.
PACIFIC COAST BAILORS
LOSE A TRUE FRIEND.
SEATTLE, March 7.—Gustave F.
West, the founder of the Seattle Sea
man’s institute and the San FranciBCO
Seaman’s Home, died at his home
here last night. He had made a for
tune through investments in Seattle
real estate when it was a small vil
llge but never lost sight of the fact
that ho had#followed the sea for years
and spent the last years of his life
working to improve tho conditions of
the sailors.
POPE BENEDICT .
TRIES FOR PEACE
Has Personally Written to the Rater*
of the Belligerent Nations
Pleading for Pace.
«
ROME, March 7.—Pope Benedict
is again pleading with the rulers ot
the belligerent nations of Europe to
end the war which is devastating th»
European countries, and costing mil
lions of lives. He has personally pre
pared the letters which will be dis
patched by special messengers to all
the rulers whose countries are en
gaged in the struggle. His Holiness
is appealing to the rules to sacrifice
their pride if necessary in the inter
ests of humanity and civilization.
But little hope is entertained that
favorable results will be secured from
the appeals as heretofore all effort*
of outside agencies to end the war
have been fruitless. It is understood
that the Pope has requested that eacbr
of the belligerent nations appoint dip
lomats to meet in Switzerland with
representatives of the neutral na
tions.
SEVERE STORM
SWEEPS ATLANTIC
Fears are Entertained that Vessel*
Caught In Path of Seventy Mile
Gale Have Heen Swamped.
WASHINGTON. Match 7.—Advice*
received from all points on the Atlan
tic coast tell of a terrific storm which
has prevailed since Saturday and ha*
resulted in much damage to th®
shipping. Wireless messages from
steamers far out to s-m state that tho
storm is general will* a 70-mile gala
prevailing.
New England Stales Sutler.
NEW YORK. March G. — A terrific
gale has been sweeping the coast of
the New England states and shipping
has suffered heavily. Several vessels
which are known to he in the path of
the gale, which attained a velocity of
70-miles an hour, have failed to reach
their destination and it is feared that
they may have been swamped by the
heavy seas.
POLICE BATTLE
WITH DYNAMITERS
Three Men Arrested on Roof of Sheik
Adjoining the Cathedral—Were
Ready to Dynamite Building.
BOSTON, March 7.—What is be
lieved tp have been a deliberate at
tempt to destroy St. Peter’s cathedral
in the northern district of this city
when it was crowded with hundreds
of persons was frustrated by the po
lice early Sunday morning after a des
perate struggle.
Three men armed with revolvers,
and carrying a quantity of dynamite^
percussion caps, fuseB and blasting
powder were arrested by a squad ot
police after they had forced their
way to the roof of a shed adjoining
the main cathedral building. The
men resisted the officers and scores
of revolver shots were exchanged.
Tiie shooting attracted an immense
crowd despite the warning from the
police that the men were armed with
dynamite and in their desperation
might hurl it into the crowd from the
building.
' The police believe that the plot th
destroy the cathedral is part of the
anarchistic activities which were re
vealed through the search for Jean
Cronis, the chef who attempted to
poison the guests at the Chicago Uni
versity club banquet.