Pioneer
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ONE dollar per month IDITAROD, ALASKA, SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 13, 1917_.___25 cents per copy
ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN
PRESSED RELENTLESSLY
LONDON, Jan. 12.—Copenhagen reports say
that the Germans and Bulgarians are violently bom
barding Galatz, on the Danube, which is being de
fended by the Russians and Roumanians.
The resistless drive of the Germans in Roumania
is still in progress. Savage hand-to-hand fighting
has taken place. The Russians are resisting desper
ately. The Germans are reported to have captured
five towns, and are storming the Russian positions
along an extended front.
The Russian offensive near Riga is being held in
check by the Teutons, but they have been driven
from an island in the Dvina river which they had cap
tured.
Berlin Reports
BERLIN, Jan. 10.—Tlie Germans in Moldavia are
approaching the Sereth river. Foksham has fallen
before the German advance, and the Russians arc
falling back to the Sereth river to hold Moldavia.
Braila, Roumama’s chief commercial city, has
been captured by the Germans and Bulgarians.
The Germans report a gain on the left bank of
the Pulna.
From Russian Sources
PETROGRAD, Jan. ! 2.—'The Russians admit the
further retreat of the czar’s forces toward the Sereth
. river, but claim they are on the aggressive in Galicia
and on the Riga front.
The Russians clai ma gain on the Dvina river, and
Berlin admits defeat on the Russian Galician front
and near the Gulf of Riga.
The Russians have started a big offensive on the
Roumanian front, and also aggressive movements in
Galicia and in the north. The czar’s forces made an
advance of a mile in the region of Lake Babit, west
of Riga.
On Other Fronts
LONDON, Jan. 12.—The British have made an
advance on the western front from Ancre (Albert)
to the sea. The Germans have failed in their ef
forts to retake lost positions on the Ancre.
The British have captured the frontier town of
Rafah, in Palestine.
The British Indian division, in a dash on the Ti
gris. has taken the enemy’s trenches for a thousand
yards northeast of Kut-el-Amara.
ROME, Jan. 10.— Only minor activities are re
ported along the Italian front. The Austrians are
reported to have been driven out ot the Ledro valley.
SENSATIONAL STORY FROM PETROGRAD
AS TO DEATH OF CZAR’S FRIEND AND ADVISER
PETROGRAD, Jan. 9.—Details of the death of
the Monk Rasputin, the czar’s friend and adviser,
have just been given out here. It is stated that he
was killed at the house of Yusupofr, in France. He
was told to kill himself, but turned his gun on other
priests, and they shot him.
THE CAPITULATION OF GREECE 13 COMPLETE
LONDON, Jan. 12.—Greece has accepted the
drastic ultimatum of the allies, and King Constantine
has surrendered six batteries of mountain guns, pur
suant to the agreement reached recently.
DIVERS SILL CONTINUE THEIR OPERATIONS
BERLIN, Jan. 10.—-German submarines have sunk
eleven ships in the past eleven days, mostly French
and Italian colliers.
a. _ _______
CONTEMPLATE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY
ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA TO NOME
SEATTLE, Jan. 6.—A statement is published on
the authority of W. E. Smith, chief engineer of the
“Alaska Short Line,” to the effect that Eastern in
terests contemplate the construction of a railway
from Cook inlet, in Southwestern Alaska, to Nome,
and thence to Bering strait and across to Siberia, to
connect with the Trans-Siberian railroad to Pctro
grad.
In conneection with the above dispatch it is of in
terest to recall that several years ago a railroad route
following the one above described, was surveyed
through Western Alaska, and the right-of-way was
cleared. There is a strong probability that if such a
line were built it would pass through or close to Idit
arod.
“SILK STOCKING” MURDER MYSTERY UNSOLVED
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9. —Bessie Calbert, sister
of Maizie Calbert, the murdered artist’s model, has
informed the detectives that an intimate of Maizie’s
had threatened to choke her on account of a ring.
The new suspect is being sought in Chicago. It is
believed that the suicide of Bernard Lewis, which
took place a few days ago, did not solve the “silk
stocking” murder mystery. Major Smith has taken
personal charge of the case, and is following clues
leading to several suspects.
COLONEL WILLIAM F. CODY
LOSES BATTLE WITH DEATH
DENVER. Colo., Jan. 11. Colonel
William F. Cody (“Buffalo Bill”) died here
last night. For several days his vitality
had been very low, and on Tuesday last
the sufferer apparently gave up the struggle
and relapsed into a state of coma. He
made a stubborn fight against death, and
, surprised the attending physicians.
President Wilson and other dignitaries
sent messages of condolence to the bereaved
family, and the whole nation is paying a
tribute to the great plainsman. The body
) will lie in state for four hours'in the state
I capitol building.
William Frederick Cody, the noted scout
and showman, was born in Scott county,
Iowa, on February 20, 1840. His father
was killed in the “border war” in Kansas.
In 1800-01 Cody was a pony express rider,
I and from 1801 to 1805 was a scout and
I member of the Seventh Kansas infantry. In
[ IS07 he contracted with the builders of the
Kansas Pacific railway to furnish all the
buffalo meat required to feed the laborers
engaged in the work, and within a period
of eighteen months he killed 4,280 buffaloes,
earning the name of "Buffalo Bill,” by
which he was best known. From 1808 to
1872 Cody was employed by the United
States government as a scout and guide,
serving in operations against the Sioux and
Cheyenne Indian tribes. Cody was a mem
ber of the Nebraska legislature in 1872,
and in 1870 he joined the Fifth United
•states cavalry as a scout. In the battle of
Indian Creek he kilied the famous Cheyenne
chief, Yellow Hand, in a hand-to-hand
fight. It is claimed that Colonel Cody took
tn active part in more Indian battles than
any man of his time. Since 1883 he has
been engaged in the “Wild West” show
business. ]
. a..
GERMAN CONSUL GENERAL
GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY
SAN FRANCISCO, Jrii. IF Franz Bopp, 1
German consul general in this city, and
four employes of his office were today found
guilty of conspiracy in connection with scv- ;
oral explosions in munitions factories and !
on board vessels in Pacific coast ports. One ;
of the charges was connected with the ex I
pi .-if n of a barge loaded with dynamite in
Seattle harbor some months ago. All of the
charge." in the indictment were sustained
:>y the finding." cf the jury.
TACOMA VOTES BIG SUBSIDY
FOR AMERICAN LAKE POST
TACOMA. Wash . Jan. 8 - -Pierce county,
by a six to one vote, has decided to issue
§2.000,000 in bonds for a federal army post
and cantonment for 17.000 troops near ,
American lake, a short distance from Ta
coma. The election was held on Saturday
last.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS MEET
WASHINGTON, Jan. S. Today is the
day ; re.-cribed for the presidential electors
to meet at the various state capitals and
cast their votes for President and Vice
President.
▲
IDITAROD MAIL ALLOTMENT
IS NOT COMMENSURATE
WITH DISTRICT’S NEEDS
Considerable dissatisfaction has been ex
pressed since the inception of the winter
mail service with the niggardly allotment .
which is eon-igned to this city and district j
The delivery of the mad has been rather ir
regular, but no complaint has been made j
on this score, because (he weather condi- ,
tu-ns have nut been such as to warrant the
execution of fust time being made. Indeed,
-n severe has been the winter so far that
tin- re-idents hereabouts may consider them
••elves fortunate that the deliveries have
been even so prompt as has been the case.
But in the matter of the amount of mail
consigned to this district there is a just :
complaint. Prior to the going into effect of ;
• lie Beward-Iditi.rod mail contract the mail
fur this district was carried over the route
from Fairbanks to Ruby, and thence down
the Yukon to Kaltag, thence to Di.-kaket.
and thence to Dikeman and Iditarod. The
route foil iwed was much farther than the
present one from tidewater, and conse- J
quently consumed me re time. But it was •
seldom that the consignments for the Idit- ■
arod consisted of less than the 400 pounds !
provided for in the contract.
The present contract calls for 475 pounds
of mail to leave Anchorage, which allotment
serves Knik. Susitna, Tokotna, Ophir, Idit
arod and Flat. But this is not all. The j
adjoining Tolstoi district, which has no post- I
office as yet, is also supplied from this point. •
By the time the mail reaches Iditarod it has
dwindled to insignificant proportions, the j
last three mails consisting of but 278, 375
and 255 pounds respectively, which includes !
both Iditarod and Flat allotments.
As a consequence second-class matter ad- i
dressed to residents of this district must be j
accumulated at Seward in great quantities, j
as few periodicals for October, and scarcely
any Outside newspapers for that month, i
have yet reached here.
The amount of mail received here this
winter so far is even less than that received i
last year, because of the fact that Ophir, j
which last year was served entirely by the |
Ruby Tokotna contract, is this year served |
by the Seward-Iditarod route, and as there
was no increase in the weight limit, the re
sult has been to decrease the amount of mail
rceeived by Iditarod and Flat.
It should not be necessary to appeal to
those in authority for relief from this in
tolerable condition. The fact that this com
munity receives such an insignificant
amount of mail weekly should appeal to the
postal authorities without their attention
| being called to it. But it appears that no
improvements in mail service can be secured
in Alaska without strenuous efforts on the
part of the citizens interested. This is well
illustrated in the case of Fairbanks, where
continual agitation has resulted in awarding
emergency contracts which insure the de
livery of “all the mail all the time” to that
city. Some concerted effort should be made
by the citizens here to call the attention of
the department to the ridiculously inade
quate service furnished.
SEATTLE BOOTLEGGING CASE
ABSORBS MUCH ATTENTION
AND MAY INVOLVE MAYOR
SEATTLE, Jan. 12. Logan Billings'ey
and others of the alleged bootlegging syndi
cate are to appear before the federal grand
jury today. Reports are current on the
streets to the effect that Billingsley has
made a confession to District Attorney Clay
Allen involving the payment to city and
county officials of large sums of money.
These stories are denied by Mayor Gdl,
Chief of Police Beckingham and Sheriff
Hodge.
The grand jury has been investigating the
case a l this week, and many officials and
other witnesses are under summons to ap
pear. Billingsley is expected to tell his
story.
Mayor Gill in an interview says he ex
pects the grand jury to indict him, and says
that he is the victim of a “frame-up.”
Logan Billingsley has refused to let his
brothers plead guilty. They are lying low
and Logan Billingsley takes al the blame
upon himself.
Attorney General Gregory has telegraphed
from Washington refusing District Attor
ney Clay Allen’s request for a special prose
cutor in the case.
Billingsley says that the Rev. Mark A.
Matthews advised him and his brothers to
plead guilty in certain cases.
Grief-Str cken Boy Causes Explosion
Donald Mel can, 17 years of age, while
..rieving over the death of his sweetheart,
turned on the gas at his East Union street
home on Wednesday last, and then lay
down to die. The result was an explosion
in which Donald was killed and four other
persons were injured.
Sensational Case Recalled
Dorothy Gerber wxs married yesterday to
Dr. Rolph M. De Bit of Beaux Arts Toga
community. The couj le were involved m
.sensational court proceedings some time ago
as the result of the efforts of Dr. Gerber,
the former husband of Dorothy, to recover
his child.
Escaped Murderer Recaptured
Dr. Percival ALen, who escaped from tm
King county jail i.ecntly, has been recap
iured in California. He i.s wanted here on
a murder charge.
Victim of Policeman's Gun
Emmet \\ hit lit 11. the young 1ml l-up ~h i
fc. the police a few nays ago, .succumbed to
his wounds :n the hospital l.i.-t Sunday. It.
<- life-scii and -tat -1 that it v.'as h*.s fir.
attempt at hold-up.
Transport Crock Taken Over
The United States army iraiisp rt Crook
has been takiii over by the Alaska eng-mer- t
ing commission for service direct to Anchor
age. on account of the heavy railroad ship
ments.
Cigarettes to Be Taboo
The Peats!? s:-hm I boar-1 will urge the
enactment cf a drastic anti-cigarette law to
prevent bov from smoking.
♦
DEUTSCHLAND AGAIN DUE
NEW LONDON. C mm. Jan. 10. Th.
German undersea- merchantamn Deutsch
land is reported to i,» dm- lure next we«.U ■
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PIONEERS’ MASK BALL,
POSTPONED FROM JAN. 1,
WILL BE GIVEN TONIGHT
The Pioneers’ mask bull, which was jHist
need on the first of the year on account of j
bad weather conditions, will take place to- j
night without fail. Early in the week the
committee caused the announcement to be ,
nude throughout the city and uisiriet, so
■ hat there would be pi nty of time for prep
arations. . I
It was disappointing and discouraging to |
many who had prepared themselves for the
big affair when they burned that it was to
be called off. but the extremely c. Id weather
ihat prevailed at th-. t lime made it im
possible to keep the'fall warm, and at the
(quest of the creek patrons it was wi-<lv
decided to postpone it. Now renewed in
terest is taken, and everything points to a
big time, as was anticipated for New Year’s
night. The prizes which were donated by the
business houses of the district are about tilt
best that were ever given here, and the
competition for them \\ .11 be keen. Un
daunted by reverses and setbacks, the vet- ,
eran chef, Frank Keenan, is still at his post, I
ready to deliver the good eats. 'Ihe pro- '
gram for the entertainment is as follows: j
Vocal duet—“Whispering Hope”. \
Mrs. C. P. Wood and Miss Albertine IToan 1
Accompanist, Garrison Costar
Piano duet—-Selection.
. .Miss Lucile Taylor and Garrison Costar
Vocal Solo—Selections.Miss Floan I
Direct from the cabaret—“Athabasca and
Alexander” .
.Win. An.-lev. Jr., and J. W. Farrell ,
-.....-La--—
WHITE WHALES THE VICTIMS
OF FIERCE SEA MONSTERS j
Ben Nygren, who is building up a big in
dustry in the white whale fishing line, ar
rived in town yesterday to haul out a ship
ment of fish oil which he has barreled for |
the Outside, says the Nome Industrial j
Worker of October 2. The oil is in two va
rieties, one a perfectly refined oil, quite
odorless, and the color of olive oil, which is j
obtained from the jaw and head of the
beluga; the other grade of oil is obtained
from the rendered blubber of the animals.
Mr. Nygren has had a very successful catch
this season. A few days ago a school of
two hundred passed north and were at
tacked by killers, those fierce shark-whales,
about thirty feet long, which are the terror
of the deep. The white whale hugged the
coast and kept in shallow water, but when
rounding the cape they had to get in deep
water, and the killers attacked them. One
could plainly see the killers rising in the
water with the young whales in their fierce
jaws. Ben tried to get a shot at the killers
with his rifle, but they took to the water I
and he could not see the submerged cesta- j
ceans. hat killers got away with many of
the white w'hale seems certain. Ben will go
Outside this fall and accompany a large
shipment of oil. hides and other products of
his industry. He is extremely well satisfied
with the results of the season’s fishing. 1
FORMER JUDGE M. A. ROOT
SUCCUMBS TO PNEUMONIA
SEATTLE, Jim. 10. Milo A. Root, for- :
mor justice of the Washington state su
preme court, died here today of pneumonia.
Milo Adelbert Root was born January 22,
1863, in Bureau county, Illinois, and gradu
ated from the Albany, N. Y., law schorl at
the age of 20 years. In 1884 he was ad
mitted to the bar of Washington territory,
was judge of the probate court of Thurston
county, 1887-90, and was prosecuting attor
ney for the same county, 1893-97. He was
a member of the supreme court of the state
of Washington from 1905 to 1008, and was
re-elected for the term ending in 1915, but :
did not qualify for the position, and re- j
turned the practice of law in Seattle. Judge j
Root was a Republics'll in politics.
ADAMSON EIGHT-HOUR LAW
TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11. The test ease
inv< lving the constitutionality of the Adam
son eight-hour law, after being argued, has
been taken under advisement by the su
prcnie court. A decision is expected in
February.
During the hearing the justices took a
hand in the proceedings and asked many
questions.
■A,
SLAYER OF STANFORD WHiTE
INDICTED FOR KIDNAPING
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12. Harry K
Thaw, the slayer of Stanford White, who
obtained his release from an insane asylum
some fifteen months ;go, has been indicted
in New York for kidnapping and whipping
Lied Gump, l'J years of age, of Kan. as
Cifv, Mo.
Thaw' after his arrest unsuccessfully ut
empied suicide. He will recover and will
be tried on the kidnanning charge.
MUNITIONS PLANT EXPLOSION
CAUSES GREAT LOSS OF LIFE
NEW YORK, Jan. 10.- The munition
» lent of the Canadian Car & Foundry Com
pany, near KingHand, N. J., was burned
last night afirr a .-erics of explosions. Sev
enteen persons are missing, and a l >.-s of
>4.000 000 was occasioned. Half a m li m
she R exploded.
FORMER WOMAN LEGISLATOR
GETS FEDERAL APPOINTMENT
WASHINGTON. Jan. S. Mrs. Frances
Axteli of Btli ugham. Wash., has been ap- j
oom; • i a member of the federal compansa
ion b-. aid. She was a recent Democratic
candidate for congre-s, md formerly wa
t member of the state legislature. In the
recent campaign she exerted much influence
'o .'tern lie1 opposition of the women's <
l.ubs to President Wilson.
10 BUILD AMMUNITION SHIP
AT PUGET SOUND NAVY YARD
BREMERTON, Wash., Jan. 8. -Secre
tary of the Navy Danit R has notified tin
navy yard authorities that the government |
will build a $3,000,000 ammunition ship
heie. Chairman Padgett of the house na- ,
vfI committee will visit Bremerton next
summer.
-a
GOVERNOR LISTER SWORN IN
AND LEGISLATURE CONVENES
OLYMPIA. \\'i,h.. Jan. <>. Overnrr
\ i.*tcr v:i< inaugurated and entered upon
his second term today. Later he delivered
his message to the legislature, which con
vmrd yesterday. Guy Kelly of Tacoma wlh
.looted speaker of tin* house.
RUSSIAN PREMIER RESIGNS
PETROGRAD. Jan. 10 Russian Pre
mier Alexander Trepoff has resigned upon
-hnrt notice.
NAVAL TELEGRAPH MAN
ON GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP
Sonic time ago three was published a dis
patch intimating that the government was |
taking measures to acquire the numerous
wirele-- telegraph plants throughout the i
country. Dr. Louis Winslow Austin, head
of the United States naval radio-telegraph'.:
laboratory at Washington. D. C., has been
in Seattle recently, and his talks with news
paper men do not seem to confirm the
news contained in the press dispatches. Says !
the Times:
“Dr. Austin is working on experiments
here for the purpose of improving the cable ]
service between Seattle and Alaska. The !
Keyport wireless station, he says, wi 1 be |
completed next year, and commercial serv
ice will be available from there to Ccr- ;
dova, where the big navy wireless station is :
located. It is not pi: lined entirely to elimi- i
nate the cable, but the business is grow
ing at such a rate that the necessity for
auxiliary service is becoming apparent.
“ Government ownership and operation of j
fhp wireless plants of the country could
surely be looked for in time of trouble, but ‘
I have no reason for thinking the govern
ment will take over these plants now,” said j
Dr. Austin. “It is very hard to get the
structural steel necessary for building large
stations, and this may cause the purchase
'of a few stations for use by the navy de- i
partment.’ "
PIONEER MEETING AT FLAT
NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Igloo No. 10, Pioneers of Alaska, will j
held a meeting next Wednesday night, j
January 17, at Moose hall, Flat, and. ]
weather permitting, it promises to be one i
of the largest, liveliest and most interest- ■
ing in the series of that organization. There
are several applicants for membership to '
be initiated on that occasion. All members j
of the local igloo, as well as visiting broth- J
ers, are urgently requested to put in an ap- j
pearance.
NO PROBABILITY OF PUCE
TILL ALLIES ARE VICTORS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.—The supplementary
and explanatory note of the entente allies in reply to
President Wilson’s peace note has been received at
the state department. The allies declare that peace
under present conditions is impossible, and say that
victory must precede any peace effort. Restitution
of occupied territory, reparation for destruction
wrought and security against further aggression will
be demanedd of Germany, according to the note,
and the Turks must be expelled from Europe. Bel
gium sent a separate note.
Gerard Miut Again Explain
BERLIN, Jan. 8.—American Ambassador Gerard
was banquetlcd here tonight on his return to Berlin
from Washington. Many German officials were in
attendance, and the ambassador was referred to as
the “peace dove” during the speech-making.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.—Ambassador Gerard has
been asked by the state department to explain his
;peech made at the Berlin banquet, in which he is
quoted as saying that “not since the beginning of
the war have the relations between America and
Germany been so cordial.” President Wilson fears
the effect of t'he expression of this sentiment on the
albes.
Indorsed by Senate
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.—The senate has indorsed
President Wilson’s peace note by a vote of 48 to I 7.
Pope Sympathizes
ROME, Jan. 9.—Pope Benedict is said to sympa
thize with President Wilson’s recent peace note.
The Central Powers
PARIS, Jan. 8 - —The central powers are believed
to have in contemplation a concerted reply to Presi
dent Wilson’s peace note.
TOM LAWSON OCCUPIES CENTER OF STAGE
AT INVESTIGATION OF “PEACE LEAK”
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.—-The capital has been in
a flurry all this week in anticipation of sensational
disclosures by Thomas Lawson, the Boston promoter
and capitalist, in the investigation of the “peace
leak.” Lawson is said to have cleaned up a half
million dollars on the stock mraket as a result of the
movement of stocks caused by the premature d.s
closure of President Wilson’s peace note to the
entente allies. Secretary of Stale Lansing and Mr.
Tumulty, the President’s secretary, have announced
their desire to testify. Lawson promised some sen
sational revelations before the congressional com
mittee which is conducting the investigation, and
fading Wall street bankers and officers of telegraph
companies are under summons to testify.
When placed on the stand on Tuesday and
Wednesday Lawson made insinuations which startled
the committee, but he would give no names. Mem
bers of the committee are disgusted and threaten to
drop the inquiry. Contempt proceedings have been
threatened, but are not likely to be pressed.
Representative Wood of Indiana has qualified pre
vious statements involving Secretary Iumulty and H.
W. Bolling, the President’s brother-in-law. He said
his statements were all based on hearsay.
Secretary Tumulty has made the statement that
he d d not know the contents of the President’s peace
note.
The probe may be abandoned on account of Law
son’s fluke.
-—4
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IS VOTED “DRY”
AND SUFFRAGETTES PICKET WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON. Jan. I I .—By a vote of 55 yeas
to 32 noes, the senate yesterday adopted the District
of Columbia prohibition bill.
The Sheppard woman suffrage bill is now before
congress, and the suffragists are engaged in picket
ng the White house. Women with banners have
been on duty in front of the executive mansion for
the past two days.
The new Adamson railroad measure has been a
feature of the proceedings in the house of represen
tatives this week.
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BANK ROBBERS ARE QUICKLY DISPOSED OF
SEATTLE, Jan. 8.—A1 J. Rounds. Walter McDon
ald and Oscar Lowe, the Bothell bank robbers,
pleaded guilty today and were each given the mini
mum sentence of from five to fifteen years.
The crime for which the three men were sentenced
was a bold one. Early in December they hired an
automobile in Seattle and proceeded to Bothell, a
small town on the shore of Lake Washington, where
they entered the bank and forced President Hubbcll
in the presence of his wife and a customer to deliver
up the money. They then rushed to the woods,
abandoning the auto and the Japanese chauffeur.
The Jap appeared to be an innocent participant, and
was unable to throw any light on the identity of the
men, but they were later captured and confessed.