Iditarod Pioneer
onTl'.o.’lar PKR MOSTO 1DITAR0D.~ALASKA. SATURDAY MORNING. MARCH 10. 1917_ cmT8 PEIi
ZIMMERMAN INTRIGUES
ADMITTED IN GERMANY
BERLIN. March 3.—Virtually admitting the truth
of the charges made in the United States, that Ger
many plotted to secure the aid of Mexico and Japan
in the event of war with the United States, Foreign
Secretary Zimmerman today stated that such action
was taken on the ground that the United States tried
to array the South American republics against Ger
many.
A Frank Admission
AMSTERDAM, March 3.—A Berlin dispatch says
that a semi-official German news agency has carried
to newspapers throughout Germany a statement
frankly admitting Germany s part in the affair
against the United States. The German minister to
Mexico was told that if the United States declaied
war he should at once offer an alliance to the Mexi
can government. He was expressly instructed, the
dispatch said, to take no such action unless certain
that the United States would declare war.
Endeavored to Intimidate Carranza
NEW YORK, March 7.—Germany threatened
Carranza, head of the Mexican government, with the
most formidable revolution he had ever known if he
refused to make war upon the United States in ac
cordance with the Zimmerman proposition for a
German-Mexican-Japanese alliance. This fact was
disclosed today by federal officials during an investi
gation which followed the arrest of Dr. Mathias
Sacunnager, a German, and Dr. Chakiaberti, a Ben
galese, for formulating an East Indian plot. The
information was obtained from papers seized at the
time of the arrests.
Plotters at Work in Cuba Also
HAVANA, March 7.—Evidence that German aid
was given to the Cuban rebel cause was uncovered
today in the examination of papers found after the
arrest of Dr. Louis Octavio Divno, Liberal leader,
and two members of the Cuban congress. A proc
lamation to the revolutionary leaders announced that
* Germany had promised aid to the cause.
American Commander Gives Warning
SANTIAGO, Cuba, March 7.—Commander Bel
knap, in charge of United States naval affairs, has
issued a proclamation in which he warns the rebels
of Oriente province that they will be severely dealt
with if they create any further disturbance in that
province.
—-♦
LEGISLATURE CONVENES AT JUNEAU
AND HOUSE ELECTS LUTHER HESS SPEAKER
JUNEAU, Alaska, March 9.—The Third Alaska
legislature convened at noon on Monday last, and
no Tuesday the message of the governor was read.
Organization of the house was effected by the elec
tion of Luther Hess of Fairbanks as speaker; A. H.
Zeigler of Juneau, a Democrat, chief clerk; Thomas
Williams of Juneau, Democrat, sergeant-at-arms,
and Millard Murane of Nome messenger.
The senate has been unable to decide on the presi
dency after four days of wrangling. The following
committee assignments have been made by the
house:
Banks, Banking and Corporations—Burns, Sowerby, Coombs
and Murray. Judiciary and Federal Relations—Price, Murray,
Daly, Sowerby and Hess. Education, Public Health, Quarantine
and Morals—Benson and Nerland. Engrossment and Enrollment
-Sowerby, Corrigan and Murray. Fisheries, Fish, Game and Ag
riculture—McCormack, Snow, Nerland, Allen and Cannon. Labor
and Capital—Casey, Corrigan and Day. Mining and Manufactur
ing—Daly, Murray, Cannon, Benson and Burns. Printing and
Purchasing—Benson, Coombs, Casey and Snow. Roads and High
ways—Allan, Price, Daly, McCormack and Nerland. Territorial
Institutions—Day, Coombs, Sowerby and Nerland. Transporta
tion and Navigation—Casey, Allan, Day and Coombs. Ways and
Means—Coombs, Price, Daly, Day, Casey, McCormack, Snow and
Burns. Rules—Allan. Murray, McCormack, Burns and Hess.
DEMOCRAT ELECTED TO SUCCEED JOHN HEID
JUNEAU, March 7.— Isaac Sowerby, Democrat, was elected
a representative in the lower house of the territorial legislature
by a large plurality over John Reck, Republican. He succeeds
John Heid, Republican, recently deceased. The election is re
garded here as an indorsement of the Democratic position in the
delegateship contest. A deadlock exists in the senate.
DELEGATESHIP PROCEEDINGS ARE POSTPONED
JUNEAU, March 3.—At 2 o'clock this afternoon, the time set
for hearing the mandamus proceedings in the delegateship contest,
a postponement was granted by the court until Tuesday afternoon,
In order to allow time for the canvassing board to secure a legal
representative, District Attorney Smizer, who had been engaged
by the board, stated that he was not qualified to appear.
--♦
GERMAN NAVAL OFFICER ARRESTED AS A SPY
LOS ANGELES, March 9.—Captain Alfred Fritzen, an officer
of the German navy, was arrested today at the home of Frank
’S. Hart, president of the Southern California Music Company, and
held for implication in a German spy plot in the United States.
ARRESTED FOR PLOTTING INDIAN INVASION
NEW YORK, March 6.—Dr. C. Hanader Chakiberti, a Hindu
doctor, and Ernest Sacunnager, a German, were arrested today
for conspiring to organize a military expedition. The men con
fessed they plotted to invade India by way of China.
TRIAL OF I. W. W. MEMBERS
CHARGED WITH MURDER
SEATTLE, March G. The trial of
Thomas H. Tracy began today before Judge
Ronald. Tracy is the first of seventy-four
members of the Industrial Workers of the
World involved in the killing of several
persons in a “free speech” demonstration at
Everett last May, and which has aroused
nation-wide attention. It is expected that
two weeks will be required to obtain a jury.
Labor publications throughout the United
States and Canada are represented at the
trial.
TONG WAR BREAKS OUT
SAN FRANCISCO, March G. A severe
and widely extended tong war has broken
out among the Chinese of the Pacific coast,
which extends to Oakland, Stockton and
Seattle. It is the most violent outbreak in
years, and several have been killed and
others shot.
▲__
NO USE FOR SLACKERS
| NEW YORK, March 7. -The governor
| having refused a permit for the Darcy-Gib
1 lions boxing match, on the ground that the
j Australian had run away to escape it real
I fight in behalf of his country, it is unlikely
that Darcy will be able to get a light.
BRITAIN TAKES VESSELS
SEATTLE, March S. The British gov
ernment is commandeering vessels of the
Blue Funnel line, plying between Seattle
and Hong Kong. The vessels were taken
| early in the war and later returned to the
| merchant service.
AN IRISH WARNING
LONDON, March S. Irish leaders in the
house of commons today warned the gov
ernment that unless home rule was granted
to Ireland Britain would see a revolt in the
near future, and would not win the war.
PRESIDENT*ILL IN BED
WASHINGTON, March 8. President
Wilson was ordered to bed today by Dr.
Grayson. He is suffering from a severe cold
and the physician says he must remain in J
bed several days.
CHANGE INAUGURATION DAY
WASHINGTON, March 9.—Congress at
its next session will be asked to pass a con
[ Mitutional amendment changing inaugura
| tion day to the last Thursday in April.
FIRST WOMAN VOTER DEAD
| LOS ANGELES, March 6. Mrs. Lydia |
| Sharpless, aged 106, the first woman to cast [
I her vote in California, died here today. !
♦
PEACE ENLISTMENTS AT END
WASHINGTON, March 8. All army on- i
listments for peace times were broken in i
February.
'---♦
FORMER ALASKAN DEAD
SEATTLE, March 7.—Charles F. Reitze, !
a pioneer of Seattle, and for twelve years an I
Alaska operator, died here today.
-»
PROMINENT MEN SUBPOENAED
IN TRIAL OF MAYOR HI GILL
SEATTLE, March 6.—The trial of Mayor
Hi Gill and others for conspiracy opened
this morning. Attorneys for Gill sprung the
first sensation for the defense when they
subpoenaed Rev. Mark Matthews, Clarence
Blethen, editor of the Times; District At
torney Allen and John Evans, a former
newspaper investigator for the Times, who
disappeared on the eve of the grand jury
investigation.
SEATTLE. March 8.—Logan Billingsley
began his recital of the charges against Gill
from the witness chair today.
The three Billingsley brothers have
pleaded guilty to bootlegging, and all will
appear as witnesses against Gill.
Tells About the "Cut”
SEATTLE, March 9.—On the witness
stand today Logan Billingsley, after telling
in detail how he had cut the demand of the
police detectives that they be paid $20 a
barrel for allowing whisky to be brought in
to $10, submitted correspondence with the
Hunt Company. “We need about one hun
dred cases and ten barrels a week,” Logan
wrote once, and another time, after com
plaining that shipments were coming in bad
shape, the liquor company answered: “We
will get these orders out right if we have to
fire every man in the concern.
STEEL TRUST ON THE GRILL
WASHINGTON, March 9.—Hearing of
the government suits to dissolve the United
States Steel Corporation begins today before
the United States supreme court.
--♦
George Phillips recently purchased the
rear addition of the Regina hotel building,
and on Monday last started over the hill
with it lashed to a sled. Mr. Phillips will
make the structure into a residence for his
family on Flat creek.
INTIMATION OF
IMPENDING WAB
Fortunes of United States Involved
in Great World Struggle Now
Raging in Europe
WASHINGTON, March 5- Woodrow
Wilson entered upon his second term as
President of the United States when at noon
yesterday the oath of office was adminis
tered to him in the executive offices in the
senate chamber by Chief Justice White of
the United States supreme court. The
President had been at the capitol forborne
hours to be present at the closing scenes of
congress and to attach his signature to
necessary legislation.
Inaugural Address
President Wilson delivered his inaugural
address at the capitol this morning- He de
plored congressional or other intrigues in
tended to “break the harmony or embarrass
the spirit of the American people,” and called
for an America “free in feeling, in purpose,
and in its vision of duty, of opportunity and
of service.”
He pointed out how the failure of the
senate to act had rendered some of the most
necessary legislation of the session impossi
ble, stating that appropriations for the army
have failed along with appropriations for
the civil estimates of the government. He
declared that an extra session would be use
less, and that “the only remedy is that the
rules of the senate be so altered that it can
act/' He added that he believed that the
senate can be called upon to supply means
to save the country from disaster.
Referring to the crisis in the country's af
fairs the President said:
“We may even be drawn on by circum
stances, not by our own purposes or desires,
to make active assertion of our rights as we
see them and a more immediate association
with the great struggle itself. There can be
no turning back. Our own fortunes as a
nation are involved, whether we would have
it so or not. It is imperative that we
should stand together. We are being forged
into a new unity amid fires that now blaze
throughout the world.”
At the conclusion of the address the
President led the inaugural procession back
to the White House, where it passed in
review before him.
-*
AUSTRIAN CONFESSES PLOT
TO “GET” PRESIDENT WILSON
HOBOKEN, N. J.. March 0. A whole- j
sale bomb plot, including possibly a plan j
for an attack on President Wilson, is be- j
lieved to have been revealed here in the I
arrest of an Austrian named Fritz Kolb in -
a hotel room in which were found several 1
bombs and quantities of explosives.
At police headquarters it was said that |
Kolb had confessed that he and his accmn- j
plice, who is being sought by the police, |
intended to go to Washington as soon as
possible to "get" President Wilson.
HOBOKEN, March 8. Kolb was ar
raigned today and held without bail.
-»
NEW STRIKE IN TOLSTOI
REVIVES INTEREST THERE ;
AND ENCOURAGES MINERS
__
A revival of interest in the Tolstoi dis- j
trict is noted this week as a result of a re- j
ported new find on Iron creek, which is a j
tributary of Madison creek. A hole sunk j
to bedrock disclosed values approximating j
SI to the foot, and further prospecting is
being carried on in the vicinity of the find.
Recent arrivals from the Tolstoi report
that there was a considerable rush to the
new creek when the news reached the town
of Tolstoi, and that the entire creek was
staked during one night.
The point at which the strike was made
is on a narrow section of the creek, and it
has not been determined whether it can
be considered pay, and further prospecting
will be watched with interest.
It is stated that five prospecting boders
have been taken to Iron creek w-ithin the
past few days, and much w-ork is contem
plated.
There have been no new developments on
Midway creek, w-here excellent prospects
were recently reported.
The recent developments in the Tolstoi
have given much encouragement to pros
pectors and miners in that vicinity. While
there is no excitement, it is generally con
ceded that the field presents an ideal pros
pecting proposition. The quite extensive
pay on Boob creek, while not sufficient in
itself to establish a camp of any size, will,
it is believed, form the nucleus for one
which will be augmented by each additional
creek opened up to the miner. Altogether
the outlook for the Tolstoi district is con
sidered most promising.
SOLONS ADJOURN
OLYMPIA. March 9.—The Washington
legislature adjourned this morning.
MAN CONVICTED OF TREASON
SHOULD BE TREATED AS FOOL
MINNEAPOLIS, March 7.—Paul L.
Scharfenberg of St. Paul, a private in Com
pany L, First Minnesota infantry, has been
sentenced to five years’ imprisonment at
Fort Leavenworth by a court martial of
regular army officers sitting at San Antonio,
Texas, for furnishing military information to
Germany. In a letter addressed to rela
tives in Germany he asserted that ten mil
lion Germans in this country were ready to
rise against the government in the event
of war with Germany.
—♦—
FATAL FIRE AT VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER, B. C., March 0.—Flight
lives were lost this morning when the Co
quahalla hotel, at Hope, burned. The dead
include Tom Wilson, Dominion fruit in
spector ; Bert Ready, William McKeever,
Robert Campbell, Thomas Taylor, Tom Ke
hoe, miners and lumbermen of Vancouver.
KILLED IN AUTO COLLISION
EVERETT, Wash., March 5. Misses Re
becca Oliver and Rowena Landsley and their
escorts, Hugh Sidley and Myron Lillenberg,
returning from a dance last night, were
killed in an auto collision. The other ma
chine was hurled into a dead water slough.
BURN SENATORS IN EFFIGY
BOISE, Idaho, March 6.—United States
Senators Cummings and Kenyon of Iowa
will be burned in effigy by former residents
of Iowa and Illinois to show displeasure at
their opposition to the armed neutrality
measure.
ROUND-UP OF GERMAN SPIES
MEW YORK, March 8.—Federal agents
today began a roUnd-up of German spies
who have been long under surveillance in
California, Oregon, Washington, Panama
and the Philippine islands.
--«
CITY ELECTION IN SEATTLE
SEATTLE, March 7. Hesketh, Lane and
Erickson were the successful candidates for
the city council in yesterday’s election. The
belt line and other bond issues were voted
down.
FIX PRICE OF*’PINT PAPER
WASHINGTON, March 5.~ The federal
trade commission has fixed the price of
news print paper at $2.50 per hundred
pounds in carload lots.
GERMANS FOR MEXICO
NEW YORK. March 8.- German sub
jects are receiving passports for Mexico at j
the rate of a hundred a day.
RECORD PRICE FOR HOGS
CHICAGO, March 6.—The price of hogs j
today broke all records, going to $14.20 per !
hundred. j
KING OF BULGARIA ILL
GENEVA. March 3. The king of Bul
garia is dangerously ill at an Austrian health
resort.
OFFICIAL TO HAVE CHARGE
OF ALASKA RAILROAD
WASHINGTON, March 8.--Secretary of j
War Baker plans to visit Alaska sooner or j
later in his capacity as secretary of war.
Herbert A. Merrier of Ohio, who has been
acting as private secretary to Secretary of
the Interior Lane, has been appointed as
sistant secretary of the interior. He will
have administrative charge of the Alaska
government railroad.
-«
METES OUT PUNISHMENT
“CRUEL AND UNUSUAL”
SIOUX CITY, Iowa, March 8.—Arnold
Brown has been sentenced to serve seven
days in jail and to study Vice President
Marshall’s inaugural address as a punish
ment for disorderly conduct.
-»
TERROR BREAKS INTO JAIL
SEATTLE, March 6.—F. J. Dusky, who
escaped from the King county jail some
weeks ago in company with Allen, charged
with murder, voluntarily returned to the
jail today, held up the jailer at the point
of a gun, and demanded to be locked up
again. He retained possession of the gun
and terrorized the prisoners and deputies for
four hours.
GERMAN BASE IN MEXICO
SEATTLE, March 5.—Federal agents
have discovered that the steam schooner
Wasp, sailing from Puget sound in Septem
ber last, carried a cargo believed to be in
tended to establish a German submarine
base on the east coa6t of Mexico. The crew
was composed of Germans and Swedes.
-+
Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Perry enjoyed a visit
to Iditarod last Wednesday from Flat creek.
They traveled by dog team.
LEGISLATION SWAMPED
BY SENATE FILIBUSTER
WASHINGTON, March 5.—The Sixty-fourth con
gress ended its session and adjourned sine die at
noon yesterday, after the filibuster in the senate had
brought about the failure of the entire administration
legislative program, with the exception of the naval,
postal, revenue and emergency Alaska railroad fund
bills. Among the vital measures killed through lack
of concurrence of the senate were many of the ap
propriation bills.
Stone and Lafollette Led the Fight
In the closing hours Senators Stone and LafoHette
continued their opposition to the armed ship bill.
Stone fought to the last for his amendment which
would withhold protection from mumtions-carrying
ships.
Alaska Railroad Bill Ran the Gauntlet
The joint resolution proposing an appropriation
of $3,000,000 to continue work on the Alaska rail
road passed both houses late Saturday night. Sun
day morning the senate agreed to the house resolu
tion postponing until July 1 the going into efleci of
the “bone dry” amendment to the postal bill, and
the President signed it.
Half Billion Dollars for Navy
The house passed the $533,000,000 naval bill
without roll call. It appropriates $209,000,000 for
construction of three battleships, one cruiser, fifteen
destroyers, three scout cruisers and sixty-eight sub
marines. One hundred and fifteen million dollars
is placed at the disposal of the President to enable
him to get quick action when needed. The senate
bill provides for fifty more submarines than the
house measure, and to meet the cost of this and the
emergency fund a bond issue is provided for.
The President signed the emergency revenue bill,
carrying $450,000,000.
Will Not Assume Responsibility for War
Representatives of the President communicated to
the senate leaders on Saturday that the President has
no intention of taking action that would bring about
war with Germany unless congress is summoned in
extra session.
To Prevent Future Filibusters
WASHINGTON, March 8.—The fight to end fili
bustering was opened in the senate today by Senator
Walsh of Montana, who declared that traitors might
find their way into congress and by filibustering hold
the senate at bay while a foreign foe thundered at
our gates. The President yesterday entered into
the fight for a cloture rule in the senate in earnest.
Immediately after breakfast he summoned Senators
Reed, Owen, Walsh, Swanson, Hoke Smith and Olhe
James to the White House for a conference as to
how to conduct it. An amendment will be urged to
the rules which wall make filibustering impossible.
Martin to Be Majority Leader
The Democratic senators in caucus yesterday
elected Senator Martin of Virginia to be majority
leader of the senate, succeeding Kern. Senator
Walsh lost the honor after a determined fight on the
part of his friends.
A fight is to be made against the retention of the
chairmanship of the committee on foreign relations
by Senator Stone.
To Call Extra Session
WASHINGTON, March 9.—It is expected that the
President will call an extra session of congress the
moment he recovers.
PRESIDENT WILL INSIST ON ARMAMENT BILL
WASHINGTON, March 6.—President Wilson has been in con
sultation with his legal advisers as to his authority to arm mer
chant vessels. If their advice is negative it is expected that an
extra session of congress will be called immediately for the purpose
of reintroducing the armament bill.
The President will probably send the names of the present
members of his cabinet to the senate for confirmation. They will
continue in their present positions.
RUPTURE WITH AUSTRIA IS NOT EXPECTED
WASHINGTON, March 7.—There will be no diplomatic break
with Austria at present, it is announced. An Amsterdam dispatch
says that Austria will support Germany in her submarine warfare,
but will make certain concessions designed to prevent a breach of
diplomatic relations with the United States.
Japanese Are Pleased with Break
TOKIO, March 7.—The diplomatic rupture between the United
States and Germany is welcomed with enthusiasm throughout
Japan.
--♦
BRITISH ARE AGAIN ADVANCING ON BAGDAD
LONDON, March 9.—With the British forces advancing closely,
the Turks have concentrated before Bagdad in an effort to hold
the city at all costs.
Russian Cruiser Badly Damaged
BERLIN, March 7.—The Russian armored cruiser Rurik,
15,000 tons, struck a mine and was badly damaged.
--—♦
GOVERNOR OF TEXAS UNDER IMPEACHMENT
AUSTIN, Texas, March 3.—Impeachment charges against
Governor Ferguson were filed in the house of representatives today
by Representative H. Davis.