Idita *od Pioneer
0x7 Dollar Per Moxt7 IDITAROP, ALASKA, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 17, 1915._ Two Bits Per Copy
GERMANY’S ANSWER
STILL VNSATIFACTORY
WASHINGTON, July 15.—The newspaper accounts covering the
receipt of the German note are conflicting, and but little comment is
indulged in. President Wilson will return to Washington in time for the
cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The German ambassador expresses a
hope that an agreement will result from the interchange of succeeding
notes. The German official memorandum, transmitted today, expressed
regret and a readiness to make reparation for the attack on the Ameri
can steamship Nebraskan, and stated that no insult to the American
flag had been intended.
DETAILS OF GERMAN NOTE
The press copy of Germany’s reply to the American note arrived on
Saturday last. The chief points made are that England practically in
terdicted legitimate neutral navigation to Germany, and thus the latter
was driven to resort to the submarine warfare on trade. Since March
1 England had been taking from neutral ships, without formality, mer
chandise proceeding to Germany, and the German people were now
given a choice between perishing from starvation or relinquishing in
dependence. Germany was conducting a war in self-defense. Ameri
can ships should not be hindered in the prosecution of legitimate ship
ping. The note stated that the lives of American citizens in neutral ves
sels would not in future be placed in jeopardy. The tone of the note
is regarded as friendly, but the principles in dispute are regarded lightly
and passed over. _
SITUATION CONSIDERED TO BE GRAVE
Germany’s reply makes the situation more grave than at any time
since the dispute has been pending. Everywhere the Germans show
an unwillingness to concede to Americans the right to travel on the
high seas on peaceful merchantmen of any nationality. The note is
being discussed generally, and there is a revival of the talk of sever
ance of diplomatic relations.
State department official agree that the critical stage of the nego
tiations has been reached.
NO INTIMATION OF PRESIDENT’S POLICY
CORNISH, N. H., July 12.—Although the official German note has
been received by President Wilson, no inkling is given as to what the
President thinks the policy of the country should be. Mr. Wilson spent
the entire day yesterday in studying the note, and did not attend
church.
ANOTHER REPORTED INVASION OF AMERICAN RIGHTS
LIVERPOOL, July 14.—A German submarine overhauled and used
the American bark Normandy as an escort in approaching the Russian
steamship Leo Labster, which was then torpedoed. The loss of life
among the crew includes three stewardesses.
PROTEST SHIPMENT OF WAR MUNITIONS
AMSTERDAM, July 15.—A concerted protest from Germany and
her allies against the American shipments of war munitions to England,
France and Russia has been issued, following a conference in Vienna.
GERMAN AMBASSADOR CONFERS WITH LANSING
WASHINGTON, July 16.—The German ambassador is in confer
ence today with Secretary of State Robert Lansing on the American
reply to the German note.
TO ATTACK WARSAW BY NEW ROUTE
POLISH TOWN CAPTURED BY GERMANS
LONDON, July 15.—The Germans have captured the Polish town of
Przasnysc, which appears to be a new approach to Warsaw.
COUNTER-ATTACK BY RUSSIANS IN SOUTH POLAND
PETROGRAD, July 10.—The Russian and Austro-German main
forces are tghting on the River Bug. The Teutonic movement is aimed
at Lubm, and the Russians have started a counter-attack in South Po
land.
MACKENSEN’S ARMY CHECKED
LONDON, July 12.—The threatened German offensive has been
postponed. The Austro-German armies have been checked in South
Poland, and also General Mackensen’s right army.
GERMANS CONTINUE DRIVE
BERLIN, July 16.—The Germans are continuing the drive upon
Warsaw through Przasnysy.
NEW BUREAU IS CREATED
TO UTILIZE EDISON’S GENIUS
WASHINGTON, July 14.—With a view
to utilizing the inventive genius of Thomas
A. Edison for the advantage of the United
States navy, Secretary of the Navy Daniels
has; appointed him head of the advisory
board of a new bureau created in the navy
department.
It is the intention of Secretary Daniels
to mobilize the inventive genius of the na
tion to assist Mr. Edison.
Edison Accepts
WEST ORANGE, N. J., July 13 —
Thomas A. Edison has accepted the position
of head of the advisory board of civilian in
ventors for the bureau of invention created
by the navy department.
Famous Aviator Also
NEW YORK, July 14.—Orville Wright,
the famous aviator, has expressed a readi
ness to join Edison’s cabinet. He says the
United States should have a thousand aero
planes for the army and navy.
HAMILTON WATCHES
Same prices world over; same in Flat.
WM. TAYLOR.
Freah Olympia Oysters, for cocktails, $2
can. _ _ Iditarod Meat Co.
SCHOOL TEACHERS HELD UP
IN YELLOWSTONE PARK
SALT LAKE CITY, July 10.—Three ban
dits held up several stages in the Yellow
stone national park, carrying a hundred and
j twenty-five persons, many of whom were
school teachers from the East. They secured
much loot and escaped.
Senator Brady of Idaho was riding with
the driver of one of the coaches.
No Trace of Bandits
LIVINGSTON, Mont, July 12.—While
many suspects have been arrested here in
connection with the Yellowstone park rob
bery, no trace of the bandits has yet been
obtained.
STEAMSHIP WARNED
NEW YORK, July 12—Warnings have
been sent by wireless to the British steam
ships Threadbarron and Napier, leaded with
mules, to be on the lookout for bombs on
board.
GERMANS IN SOUTH AFRICA
SURRENDER TO BOTHA
PRETORIA, South Africa, July 10.
Twenty-three hundred German officers and
I men have surrendered to General Botha.
HEAD OF ALASKA SURVEY
LEAVES FOR IDITAROD
SEATTLE, July 15- Dr. Alfred H.
Brooks, director of the Alaska department
of the United States Geological Survey, will
leave on the steamship Jefferson tonight for
Alaska. He goes first to Iditarod, and later
will visit Fairbanks, Valdez and Juneau.
STRIKE COMPROMISED
CHICAGO, July 10.—The strike of the
carpenters of this city, which was com
menced two months ago, was ended today
by both sides agreeing to a compromise.
WELSH MINERS DESIRE TO
SHARE INCREASED PROFITS
LONDON, July 15.—One hundred and
fifty thousand Welsh miners, defying the
government to collect the fine of $25 per day
imposed by the war regulations, went out on
strike today. There has been no rioting.
The strike will curtail the supplies of coal
for the navy. The movement was opposed
by the labor leaders. The men claim they
are entitled to higher pay on account of the
great profits being made by the mine owners
on account of the advanced prices and the
increased demand due to the war. They
claim their living expenses have been in
creased by the war conditions.
TRANSATLANTIC STEAMER
HAD REMARKABLE ESCAPE
NEW YORK, July 10— Nine bombs were
found on board the steamship Kirkoswald
at Marseilles when she was discharging a
cargo of sugar taken aboard here. She re
turned today. She sailed from this port on
May 2, when the activities of the bomb
placers was at its height.
FLOODS IN CHINA
WASHINGTON. July 13.—Advices re
ceived here state that unprecedented floods
are raging in Kwangtung, China.
VALDEZ BUSINESS SECTION BURNED
THURSDAY MORNINfi
_
Judge Charles E. Bunnell of the district court, which has been in session here since June 28, received
telegraphic advices on Thursday afternoon that the V aldez Sheet Metal Works, in which he was a part
owner, had been destroyed by fire. The message was from his business associate, and asked for instruc
tions as to the purchase of new machinery and resumption of business. No details were given.
Believing that a general conflagration must have taken place, The Pioneer wired Valdez for particu
lars, and received the subjoined telegrams, lhe worst fears of Judge Bunnell were realized, and the fire
which swept the business section of Valdez wiped away the results of years of industry and made of him
a practically penniless man. No insurance was carried on any of the judge’s holdings with the exception
of $3,000 on his office fixtures and law library. The disaster means a loss of from $20,000 to $25,000
to Judge Bunnell alone. From statements made before leaving yesterday for Ruby, it is not probable
that Judge Bunnell will endeavor to rehabilitate his business interests in Valdez.
ENTIRE BUSINESS SECTION WIPED UUI
VALDEZ, July 15.—The business section of this city was destroyed by fire which commenced at 4
o’clock this morning, and which was not gotten under control until 9 a. m. Dynamite was used freely, but
proved to be of little use. Soldiers from Fort Liscum were ordered to assist the local fire department.
The loss is heavy, and only a small amount of insurance was carried. Among the business houses com
pletely destroyed w'ere the stores of S. Blum, the First Bank of Valdez, William Blackwell s, Tony s sa
loon, the Empress theater, the Treat building, the Valdez Dock Company building, the Panama hotel, the
office of the Valdez Daily Prospector, the road commission’s office, with the records and maps of ten years,
the postoffice, the telephone exchange, the Crawford mills and the Copper River Lumber Company s
plant. The Deringer, Barnes and J. C. Martin homes were also consumed.
JUDGE BUNNELL’S SEVERE LOSSES
The fire spread quickly. S. Blum’s largest building, together with fifty others, were soon destroyed.
All but one of the buildings owned by Judge Charles E. Bunnell were destroyed, including his sawmill,
office and library and the Valdez Sheet Metal Works, in which he was a part owner. The Daily Pros
pector saved some type and issued a paper as usual today, using wrapping paper.
The loss is estimated at $350,000. There were no casualties. Many small launches on the beach
were also burned.
Many persons are preparing to rebuild, being encouraged to do so by reason of the mining activity.
The business section of the city was destroyed from the Cliff house to the Valdez Mercantile Com
pany’s building, thence to the beach. The telephone and electric light plants are out of commission.
JURY FINDS THURSTONS GUILTY ON SECOND TRIAL
Shortly after 2 o’clock on Sunday morning last the jury in the case of the United States vs. Thomas
L and Agnes V. Thurston, charged with infraction of the postal laws, brought in their verdict. They had
been deliberating on the case since shortly after 6 o’clock the evening previous. The verdict was as fol
lows :
“We, the jury impaneled and sworn to try the above-entitled action, do find the defendants guilty as
charged in the indictment.’’ A recommendation to the clemency of the court was attached.
On Monday morning the defendants were brought into court, and later Thursday afternoon at 2
o’clock was set for pronouncing sentence, after a motion for a new trial had been overruled by Judge
Bunnell.
At the hour set for trial the court asked each of the defendants in turn whether they had anything to
say why sentence should not be pronounced. Each protested innocence of the crime for which they had
been convicted, and Thomas L. Thurston made a statement in which he said he believed the jury had made
a mistake. He spoke of his previous good record, and said that he had never committed a crime nor had
any criminal intentions.
Charles E. Taylor, of counsel for the defense, spoke of the high regard in which the defendants had
been held in the community, and of the trivial nature of the offense of which they had been convicted.
He made an earnest plea to the court for the exercise of clemency in determining the punishment to be
meted out.
MRS. THURSTON FINED AND THURSTON RECEIVES PENITENTIARY SENTENCE
In pronouncing sentence on Mrs. Thurston Judge Bunnell stated the maximum penalty which could
be imposed was five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $500, and early in his remarks assured her
that he did not intend to send her to the penitentiary. He said his was a,'most unpleasant and difficult duty,
and that no one but the prisoners themselves could feel more deeply than he in the matter. That he had a
duty to perform in the matter that he would not attempt to shirk was apparent, he said, from his statement
that had he been a member of the jury he would have joined in the verdict of guilty. He sentenced Mrs.
Thurston to pay a fine of $350, and remanded her to the custody of the marshal pending the payment of
the fine.
In the case of Thomas L. Thurston Judge Bunnell said he might be prepared to get into an argument
with him on the statements he had made as to his innocence, and the action of the jury, but nothing he
could say would benefit the prisoner. He believed the acts charged in the indictment had been proven to
have been committed by the Thurstons. He believed they placed the packages where they were found
for the purposes of concealing them. He could not understand how Thurston could say that the packages
did not come into his office while he was postmaster. The judge made an impressive talk to Thurston
and spoke of the possibility of shortening his sentence by good behavior. He gave him advice as to his
course after serving his sentence. The judgment of the court was that he should serve a year and three
months in the federal penitentiary at McNeil’s island. /
THE TRIAL OF THE CASE IN DETAIL
The case of the United States vs. Thomas
L. and Agnes V. Thurston, the trial of
which commenced on Friday, July 9, was
resumed on Saturday morning last. The
jury had been secured the evening previ
ous, and immediately on the opening of
court District Attorney Roth made his open
ing statement to the jury. He stated that
the government expected to prove that in
the latter part of September, 1913, Joe
Smith took steps to secure for sale a
quantity of mantles for gasoline lamps. He
wired to his brother in Fairbanks, who sent
him a limited number and telegraphed to
Seattle to send his brother in Iditarod six
dozeji more. Joe Smith received the in
voice on the latter shipment early in No
vember 1913, but did not receive the man
tels. Along about Christmas, 1913, Thomas ;
L. Thurston, who was postmaster at Idita- !
rod, advertised lamp mantels for sale, and
continued their sale throughout the winter
of 1913-14, and was the only person in town
having them for sale. On April 9, 1913,
Albert Wile, who had succeeded Thurston
as postmaster on April 1, in cleaning up the
postoffice, discovered a cloth sack covered
with dust and dirt, the contents of which
were six packages of lamp mantels plainly
addressed to Joseph H. Smith, upon which
first-class postage had been paid. Thurston
was confronted with the packages and de
nied having ever seen them, and also denied
that they were under the table, where they
were alleged to have been found, a month
prior to that time. The government would .
prove, said Mr. Roth, that the defendants
withheld delivery of the packages of man
tels from the person to whom they were ad
dressed, and thus maintained a monopoly of
the side of lamp mantels in Iditarod
throughout the winter.
Henry Roden, for the defense, denied each
,and every allegation of the indictment, and
stated that the defense expected to prove
that the charges were untrue, and would
expect the jury to return a verdict of ac
quittal.
Joe Smith Testifies
Joseph H. Smith was the first witness
called by the government. He stated that
he was a merchant of Iditarod, and that
(Continued on Page Three)
TERRIFIC FIGSTING IN
WESTERN WAR ZONE
LONDON, July 13.—It is reported that a terrific German offensive
movement is in progress on the western war front, particularly in West
Flanders and Argonne. A movement has also developed in the vicinity
of Ypres.
ADVANTAGEOUS POSITIONS OF FRENCH FORCES
PARIS, July 12.—After battling for a hundred and twenty days, the
French forces now are in possession of all the eminences looking upon
Flanders, Lille and Douai.
FRENCH AND GERMAN REPORTS CONFLICT
LONDON, July 13.—The Germans, in a terrific assault, have recap
tured part of the Arras front. The burial ground at Sochez also has
been wrested from the hands of the French.
FURTHER TEUTON GAINS REPORTED
PARIS, July 14.—The German thrust at Verdun has resulted in an
important gain. The German attacks at Argonne have been definitely
stopped..
FRENCH AND GERMAND REPORTS CONFLICT
LONDON, July 14.—A terrific offensive movement has been com
menced all along the line in the western theater of war, which is espe
cially violent in Flanders and in the Argonne district. German and
French reports are conflicting. The French claim to have regained all
ground lost to the German crov/n prince, while the Germans claim to
have made important gams of nearly two miles.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE CALAIS
LONDON, July 16.—The Germans are preparing another drive to
capture Calais.
WAR BREVITIES
No Changes or. Italian Front
ROME, June 13.—No changes are reported from the front.
Death Sentence for Would-Be Assassins
LONDON, July 14.—Sentence of death has been passed upon two
men charged with attempting to assassinate King Ferdinand.
Austrian Bombs Dropped on Venice
MILAN, July 15.—For the fourth time Austrian aviators have
dropped bombs on Venice. Several persons have been injured.
Turks Commit Outrages on Greeks
ATHENS, July 14.—Anti-Greek outrages continue to be reported.
Thirty thousand Greeks are said to have been expelled from Musselman
villages and their homes pillaged.
Nearly Half of German Colonies Captured
LONDON, July 14.—The allies already have conquered nearly half
the territory of the German possessions, according to Secretary of the
Colonies Bonar Law.
Austrian Trenches Captured
ROME, July 14.—The Italians have captured two miles of Austrian
trenches in the Alps.
No Changes Reported Wednesday
LONDON, July 14.—No changes are reported today on any front.
Another German Spy Executed
LONDON, July 16.—Robert Rosenthal, a German spy, has been
executed here.
German Submarine Sunk by Russians
LONDON, July 16.—German submarine U-5 I has been sunk in the
Black sea by Russian warships.
Allies Report Successes at the Dardanelles
ATHENS, July 16.—The allies claim to have captured a double line
of trenches near the Gulf of Saros.
Plot to Assasinate Greek Statesman
PARIS, July 16.—The Young Turks are said to be plotting the as
sassination of the former premier of Greece, Venixeles.
Famous Gun Factory Threatened With Strike
GENEVA, July 16.—According to advices received here, the em
ployes of the Krupp works at Essen threaten to go on strike, the reason
given being the low wages and the high cost of living.
THE SUBMARINE WARFARE
YARMOUTH, July 15.—The Norwegian steamship Rian has been
torpedoed and sunk without warning.
LIVERPOOL, July 13.—Three British steamships were sunk off the
coast last night.
HUERTA WAIVES HEARING
AND REFUSES TO GIVE BOND
EL PASO, July 10.—Huerta today waived
preliminary hearing on te charge of con
spiracy and declined to furnish bonds of
$15,000. He was taken to Fort Bliss. Later j
bonds were furnished by others.
Carranza's Forces Again Occupy Capital 1
WASHINGTON, July 12.—1The state de- j
partment has received advices that General
Gonzales, of Carranza’s army, has occupied
Mexico City. Zappata is reported to have
fled.
Prevents Bombardment of Guaymas
GUAYMAS, July 12—Upon the protests
of the American, French, German, British
and Italian consuls, the United States
cruiser Colorado has prevented the Carranza
cruiser Guerrero from bombarding the city.
GUAYMAS, July 15.—The forces of
General Villa have captured many of the
principal cities in the state of Tepic, and
are now advancing on San Bias.
Train Wrecked by Bomb
WASHINGTON, July 16— It is an
nounced that no Americans nor British were
on a train which was wrecked by a bomb
near Apizaco, Mexico.
Mrs. M. H. Marston of Otter creek has
been visiting in the city during the past two
weeks.
LOTS AT NEW TOWNSITE
BRINGING GOOD PRICES
SHIP CREEK, Alaska, July 12—The
government sale of lots continues at this
pit ce, and some of the prices obtained run
frcm $475 to $1,200.
A full line of Rubber Goods at Boas’, Flat
an I Iditarod.
For a Short Time Only j
DR. H. BEHLA & 00,
DENTISTS
Immediately after our arrival next
week our offices will be open for a
period of about two months for the pur
pose of accommodating all desiring first
class dental treatment.
H. BEHLA & CO.
FLAT CITY