Jtmas Iditarod Pioneer CHRISTMAS
ONE DOLLAR PER month IdTtAROdT ALASKA. SATURDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 23. 1916 « 1l>m <***_
SUGGESTIONS OF PEACE
VIEWED WITH DISFAVOB
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.—President Wilson, in
a note to the warring powers, has attempted to
sound the peace sentiment. He does not propose
peace or offer mediation, but merely gives an oppor
tunity for an expression of sentiment. The note
came as a surprise to the diplomats, but nevertheless
it has created a good impression. Another note
which has been sent to all the neutral powers, asking
for information, may open the way for an early
peace parley.
Lansing Issues Statement
WASHINGTON. Dec. 22.—President Wilson’s
peace note has been followed by a statement by
Secretary of State Lansing that the United States
does not expect to become involved in the war.
British comment on the note is not favorable, but
comment m other countries is less unfavorable.
Officials are hopeful that the note will lead to
preliminary exchanges of views by the belligerents.
Diplomats do not regard the attitude of the en
tente allies as a flat refusal. They believe that Ger
many will make further moves looking to a confer
ence, and think a way will open for a parley that
will make peace possible.
Canadians Will Fight to the End
OTTAWA. Dec. 21.—Canadian Premier Borden
has sent a message to Lloyd George pledging Canada
to fight to the end.
The Commons’ Response
LONDON, Dec. 21.—The house of commons has
passed a resolution to increase the British army to
a total of five million men. The allies may reply to
Germany before Christmas.
Refuse to Enter Into Negotiations
LONDON, Dec. 20.—The council of the empire
has adopted an order identical with that of the Rus
sian duma, refusing to enter into peace negotiations
with Germany under present conditions. Premier
Lloyd George leads in the attack on the German pro
posal, and urges vigorous measures to continue the
war to a finish.
Cannot Take Request Seriously
PARIS, Dec. 20.—Premier Briand announced in
the senate today that the allies w'ould send a con
certed reply to Germany to the effect that “it is im
possible to take the request for peace seriously.”
Italians Also Against It
ROME, Dec. 20.—Foreign Minister Sonnino, in
the Italian chamber, announced that Italy would not
sign any conditions or basis for peace negotiations
on the terms of Germany’s note.
The Russian Refusal
PETROGRAD, Dec. 16.—The Russian duma has
passed resolutions categorically refusing to consider
the Berlin peace suggestions.
Speculators Think Peace in Sight
CHICAGO, Dec. 16.—Wheat declined 13 cents
today on the report of a new slump in war securi
ties.
a.
ADJUSTMENT OF MEXICAN DIFFICULTIES
IS NOW LOOKED UPON AS A POSSIBILITY
PIIILADEIPIIIA, Dee. 20.—Secretary of the Interior Lane,
of the joint commission to adjust the Mexican troubles, says the
protocol formulated by the commission has been issued, and the
future of the Mexican situation is up to Carranza. A satisfactory
adjustment now rests with the Mexican chief.
To Stop Shipments to Villa
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22. Villa has made an offer to the
government at Washington on the basis of non interference with
his military operations against Carranza.
The federal authorities have wired to government officials at
Serttle and watch that port and to stop munitions shipments con
signed to Villa in Mexico.
---♦
CANADIAN RAILROADS BEING DISMANTLED
TO PROVIDE RAILS FOR WESTERN FRONT
OTTAWA. Dec. 19- The Canadian government is tearing up
thousands of miles of railroad, and will send the material to the
western front in Trance and Belgium. The fact that the manu
facturers are unable to supply new steel is the cause of the
Dominion government's determination to move the railroad ma
terial to Europe.
-A
CONFESSED BANK ROBBER IS ARRESTED
SEATTLE, Dec. 22.—0*cur Lowe, a blacksmith, 27 years of
age, has been arrested and has confessed that he was one of three
men who robbed the Bothell bank of $2,700 on the afternoon of
November 3. Walter McDonald, a longshoreman, and A. J.
Rounds, implicated by Lowe's confession, have been arrested.
TURKEY TRYING TO QUARREL WITH AMERICA
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.—The relations between the United
States end Turkey are becoming strained on account of Turkey's
failure and refusal to let Americans and others leave Turkey.
Euad Bey, the Turkish ambassador, may not be received by the
President.
CONDEMNED MURDERERS ARE CONSIDERATE
SING SING, Dec. 17.—Stanley J. Milstein, aged 19, and
^ Charles Kirow, aged 20, condemned to die, have asked to be
executed three days earlier than the time set, out of consideration
for their relatives, apparently not wishing to have the event take
place so near to Christines.
PLEDGE LARGE SUM FOR RELIEF OF JEWS
NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—A mass meeting here last night
pledged $2,500,000 for the relief of Jews in Europe.
SUPPORT AMERICAN PROTEST
NEW YORK. Dec. Hi A public meet
ing was held here tonight in support of the
American protest against the German de
j portation of Belgians.
PRICE OF COTTON UNSTABLE
NEW YORK, Dec. 22. The price of
Cotton jumped today three dollars per bale,
ad then sagged 14o points.
ARRIVALS FROM MARSHALL
WITH LATEST NEWS OF CAMP
Harry Watson and Joe Hanegan arrived
in the city last Monday from Marshall. They
report that nothing of importance had de
veloped in the way of new strikes up to the
tine they left, but that great numbers are
engaged in prospecting. A new' hydraulic
i plant is to be installed on Wilson creek in
j the spring, according to latest reports,
j Charlie Gay, who was interestde with Riiev
I & McKinzie, on Willow creek, is reported to
I have sold out.
The wireless | lant installed oy .'it » m -
son is not yet in complete running order.
It is in position to receive messages, but not
to send. Mr. Watson has installed an elec
tric lighting plant for the town of Fortuna
Ledge, and is now working on a proposition
| to install a telephone line to the creek.
Bob Cockburn was a member of the party
i until they reached Holy Cross. They had
| encountered extremely stormy weather, and
i at that point Cockburn. saying he was going
j to travel “whichever way the wind blew.
left the party. It is presumed that he re
j turned to Marshall. He had considerable
j mail for Iditarod, which has not been for
I warded. No fears for his safety are ex
j pressed.
Mr. Watson will return to l ortuna Ledge
! in a few days and Mr. llanegan will pro
\ ceed to Tolstoi.
The mail service of the new camp is the
subject of general dissatisfaction. A monthly
.service is provided from St. Michael, and
I mail from the Outside and from other
i Alaska points must go the roundabout route
j fn,m Kaltag to Unalaklcct, thence to St.
! Michael, and front there to Fortuna Ledge.
| The mall service down the Yukon terminates
j at Russian Mission, and the extension of the
! route to the Marshall camp would effect a
I saving in time of something like a month.
Several parties are on their way front
Marshall to this city, and the trail is said
to be excellent.
->—
MANY VISITORS IN IDITAROD
FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Ideal weather and trail conditions, making
i travel a pleasure, induced many person.
from outlying points to make the trip to
Iditarod and the creek cities to spend the
holidays. The trails are now raid to be in
! superb condition, and one parly reports
j making the trip from Tolstoi to Iditarod in
\ ten hours and fifty minutes actual traveling
■ time. The trail between Flat and Iditarod
| is in good shape, and many teams are to
i be seen daily making the trip.
Iditarod -tores which have specialized in
j Christmas goods have done a splendid busi
! ness this year, and it is real y surprising to
| note the varied assortments to choose from,
j In children’s toys, for instance, the contrast
: with last year is marked. Due to the war,
j the supply of German articles was limited.
This year American toys enter more largely
1 into the stocks, and it is noticeable that
j ,hey are of a much more substantial nature
| than the imported article.
♦
STEFANSSON HAS TROUBLE
WiTH BLOND ESKIMOS
NEW YORK. Nov. 21.- Arctic Fxi 1 rer
Stefansson has had trouble with the blond
Eskimos, according to a letter received here
j by Albert .1. Spindcn. The letter was re
I ceived from Captain Kellett. a member of
j the Stefansson expedition.
Captain Kellett writes that Stefansson
; had a slight misunderst aiding over certain
| trade relations, and when an attack of
i influenza fell on the Eskimos the tribe
i blamed Stefanssc n. The whites in the
i party fear that if any of the natives die
i it will develop a serious peril for the mem
j hers of the expedition.
STRIKE MAY YET BE CALLED
NEW YORK. Nov. 13.- After a confer
i ence of the representatives of the Brother
i hood of Trainmen here today, President Lee
j declared the t the railroads are not fulfill
j ing the spirit and requirements of the Adam
i son eight-hour law, and that failure to do
j so may mean the general strike yet. Lee
j believes that unless the companies heed the
I warning the question of a strike may come
I to a vote in a short time.
▲ _
“TANK” FOR MEXICAN BORDER
j SAN ANTONIO, Tex3s, Nov. 7.—It was
| announced today that a caterpillar tractor
! of the type adopted by the British, known
j as “tanks," or armored cars, on the western
front in Europe, has been purchased by the
l United States army authorities for use along
j the Mexican border where there are no
j roads. The tractor wiil have a capacity of
| 100,000 pounds, and will be used in the Big
Bend district.
QUEER USE FOR HUMAN ASHES
CHICAGO, Nov. 18.—The ashes of
| Joseph Hillstrom, shot for murder “by
Utah,” will be distributed in 600 parchment
j packages to the delegates of the Industrial
Workers of the World at the national con
vention which starts here tomorrow. W.
E. Haywood, the general organizer, had the
urn containing the ashes brought to the
headquarters of the organization. The
packages will go to all parts of the world,
and memorial services will be held in honor
of Hillstrom, Haywocul said.
ALASKA CAN SYMPATHIZE
! BERLIN, Dec. 17.—This city is threat
; ened with a beer famine.
DELESATESHIP IS
YET UNSETTLED
Result of Election Still in Doubt,
Although Democratic Candi
date Maintains Slight Lead
\ Because of the feel that the official an
nouncement of the result of the balloting
for delegate in the recent election has been
1 so long delayed, there has been much in
| quiry from readers of The Pioneer, and al
I though the result would have been an
nounced in these columns had it been as
| certained, the Fairbanks News Miner was
! requested to give the latest figures obtain
able. Yesterday the following telegram
was received from that newspaper:
| "Fairbanks, Dec. 22. -Our figures on the
: delegateship contest are as follows:
Wick
Sulzer. ersham.
First division- 2,387 1,894
Second division 673 S86
Third division- 1,681 1,964
Fourth division - 1,691 1,679
Totals . 6,432 6,423
“Four precincts in the Bristol bay region,
in the Third division, arc yet to hear from,
and it is not known when they will arrive.
The canvassing board starts its sessions
early in February, and until that time the
outcome will be in doubt.”
Will Await Belated Ones
The law provides that the territorial can
vassing board, consisting of the governor,
secretary of the territory and the collector
of customs, shell meet within sixty days
after the date of the election and canvass
the returns and give a certificate of election
to territorial officials elected.
It was recently authoritatively stated in
Juneau that the canvassing board would be
in no hurry to canvass the returns. The
law is interpreted to mean that the members
may meet at any time after the sixty days.
They have determined to wait for returns
from all the remote precincts before making
the official count.
What senator sulzer says
Senator Sulzer, who in all probability
has been elected delegate to congress from
Alaska, passed through Juneru recently on
tus way to his home in Sulzer, after having
spent several weeks at Anchorage, where he
was on election day. lie was accompaned
by his wife. lie was greeted by a large
number of enthusiastic friends and support
ers, and congratulations on his election flew
ihiek and fast. Senator Sulzer .-aid to a
reporter:
“I have been away from home for five
months, and my business has suffered. I
must get back there and straighten out my
affairs before I return to Juneau, but I cer
ainly .-hall return before long.
''I am indeed very grateful to the friends
and Democrats on Gastineau channel who
jave me such loyal support, and who rolled
up such r large majority for me in this
section. I am also grateful to my Repub
lican friends who assisted me with their
votes and in other ways.
“The people of Alaska have been more
than generous in their support of my can
.iidacy, and.I appreciate their efforts. The
election is dose, but I d' not think the re
sults are in doubt at all. The precincts re
maining to be heard from will increase my
majority almost without exception, but I
‘hall not actually consider myself elected
until the canvassing board has made the
official returns.
“If the final returns of the canvassing
board should show that 1 am elected you
-an rest assured that all statements made
by me in my campaign will be lived up to,
and especially the one that Alaska shall be
first, and what affects all of Alaska shall
be before what affects any single part of
Alaska.’’
Wick Will Practice Law
Asked by a Juneau Dispatch man re
cently whit he intended to do if defeated
for delegate, Judge Wickersham said he
would resume the practice of law in Alaska.
IDITAROD PUBLIC SCHOOL
HOLDS CHRISTMAS EXERCISES
A delightful entertainment was provided
by the children of the public school on
Thursday last, under the direction of Miss
Hally. The event was in the nature of a
Christmas celebration, and the parents and
friends of the children were present to par
ticipate. as well as School Trustees J. J.
Smith and Frank Keenan. After the con
clusion of the program the youngsters were
regaled with ice cream, cake, fudge and
other good things. The main feature of
the program was a playlet entitled “King of
the Holidays,” in which the following boys
took part and acquitted themselves most
creditably: Verne Tyler, “Judge”; Cyril
Wood, “Uncle Sam”; Bill Smith, “George
Washington”; Timothy Twitchell, “Clerk
of Court” ; Paul Fisher, “Attorney General" ;
Tony Gularte, “King of the Holidays.” The
playlet was interspersed with musical selec
tions.
CANADIAN DOLLAR SHRINKS
WINNIPEG, Nov. 8.— The Canadian
dollar has shrunk to 67 cents during the
present war. This is the finding of an ex
pert. He has figured out the purchasing
power of money today and compared it with
what it was two years ago, just after war
started. Iscreases in prices are in many
cases absolutely staggering. For instance,
potatoes have gone up 175 per cent, when
bought by the peck. Other increases are:
Bread, 80 per cent; milk, 20 per cent;
butter, 50 per cent; Hour, 64 per cent,
canned stuff, from 40 to 50 per cent.
The percentages in each case vary with
the locality, but on the whole this is a sum
mary of the expert’s deductions from actual
and authentic figures.
-♦-7
We give a cigar with every ticket pur
chased from us for the Pioneers’ Mask Ball.
AN? LEY’S.
RACE HATRED IN COLLEGE
FAN IRANCISCO, Dec. 17. Stanford
university student# have protested agtiinst
the admission of Chinese to the men s dor
mitory, and have driven them out.
INQUIRY BEGINS
SEATTLE, Dec. 17. The federal grand
jury began its probe into the high cost of
food products today.
DISPUTE OVER MINING CLAIMS
MAY RESULT IN LITIGATION
——
A controversy which may yet result in
court proceedings to determine the rights
of the various parties hits arisen with ref
erence to the ownership of mining property
on Happy creek. The claims involved are
the Washington. Texas and Bell, claimed by
''Doc” Mading and Duncan Michie.
Recently these claims have been relocated
i by others, who proceeded to do considerable
work on them. The action was taken un
j der that section of the Alaska mining law
I which provides for the recording of annual
assessment. It is claimed that the law has
not been complied with in the matter of re
cording. at least, and under the law the
claims are forfeit. The clause is as follows:
“'The failure to file for record the proof
of assessment work as herein provided shall
be deemed an abandonment of the location,
and the claim shall be subject to reloca
tion by any other person," etc.
Mading has not been in the district for
| some years, and Michie is now in the Tolo
; vana. Their agent, it is reported, maintains
that the work was done although not re
corded, anil will put up the defense that
the clause in the territorial law quoted above
is invalid.
CHRISTMAS TREE AT FLAT
TO BE HELD TOMORROW
The youngsters of Flat and Otter creeks
are looking forward with keen anticipation
to the Christmas tree and entertainment to
be held in Moose hall, Flat, tomorrow night.
An excellent program hrs been prepared by
Miss Grant, and the children taking part
have shown great interest. There will be
a Christmas tree loaded with presents for
the children, and supper will be provided
by the ladies. Dancing will complete the
entertainment. The people of Hat extend
a cordial invitation to all residents of the
district to participate in the celebration,
and no admission fee is to be charged.
COAL IS BEING HAULED DAILY
OVER GOVERNMENT ROAD
A Sewrrd dispatch of October 20 says
that the Alaska engineering commission is
operating a daily train between Anchorage
and Moose-jt-reek, on the Matanuska branch,
and three carloads of coaDare being brought
to Anchorage daily. This coal is fur the
use of the eommisskn and also for the sup
ply of the people at Anchorage. Material
and supplies for the construction of the
railroad are being hauled on this train, as
well as freight and passengers, to points
along the line. The commercial freight and
passenger traffic is paying for the operation
of the train, which enables the government
to transport its construction materials free
of charge from Anchorage to its camps on
the railroad.
The population of Anchorage is between
4.000 and 5,000. At Matanuska, the junc
tion of the Matanuska branch with the
main line, a townsite was recently surveyed
by the government and a town is now in
course of development. Ihere is also a
small town at Moose Creek, about fifty miles
from Anchorage, where the first mine on
the railroad is in operation. At Wassilla,
the name of the town where the railroad
crosses the Knik-Willow creek wagon road,
several people are gathering. Wassilla will
be the distributing point for freight and sup
plies for the Willow creek mining district.
The government is taking steps to survey
small townsites at inese places.
The railroad north and south from An
chorage passes through and develops a large
agricultural country. There are now be
tween 500 and 1.000 homesteaders along the
line of the railroad in this section, and the
agricultural land is being rapidly developed.
The homesteaders are supplying a consider
able portion of the foodstuffs for the rail
road employes and other people in that sec
tion of the country. Recently the Alaska
engineering commission contracted for 400
i tons, or more than 13,000 bushels, of pota
i toes with the Matanuska farmers. Products
j are being hauled by the farmers to Mata
! nuska and shipped over the railroad to An
! chorage and other points along the line,
i There is still room for a large number of
| homesteaders in the vicinity of the railroad,
and the government hopes to encourage
farmers from the States to come to Alaska
and take up homesteads in the territory
tributary to the railroad, in order to de
velop the agricultural lands so that the
country may some day in the near future
be self-supporting.
The building of the railroad has also given
an impetus to the mining industry, and
there is good prospect for considerable traf
fic for the railroad when it is finally com
pleted. __
WOMAN AS DRAFT HORSE
LINCOLN, Neb., Nov. 21.—A woman
hitched with a mule to a wagon and driven
slowly down the road near the state prison
was picked up by Sheriff Hyers. She gave
the name of Mrs. Hopkins, and said her
husband had been driving her as he would
in animal. The man denied the story in
part and insisted that he had taken his
turn in the harness beside the mule.
When the man entered the sheriff’s auto
mobile the woman attempted to beat the
officers off with an ax, insisting that they
should give up “her man.”
PLENTY OF GRUB AT TOLSTOI
A letter from Tolstoi states that there is
! no scarcity of food in that camp, as has
| been reported. Only in a very few articles
has there been found to be a shortage.
ROMANIAN ARMY SAVES
BY RUSSIANS’ STRATE8Y
I BERLIN, Dec. I 7.—The report is given out that
Germany’s campaign in Roumama has ended with
the taking of Buzue, the last important railway
point in Wallachia. The central powers now con
and tw'o-thirds of the railway lines m Roumama. The
Teutons seized sixty million bushels of wheal iri
Roumama.
Russians Aid Escape of Roumanians
PARIS, Dec. 19.—The report has been received
here that the Russians have saved the Roumanian
army survivors beyond the Seth river at Jasay, in
Bessarabia. The Russian resistance to the Germans
near Buzue acted as a shield to effect the escape of
the Roumanians.
Germans Repulse Russians
BERLIN, Dec. 22.—The Russian advance in
Transylvania has been repulsed by the Germans.
Russians Advance
PFTROGRAD, Dec. 22.—Reports received here
state that the Russians have advanced in the region
of Kimpolung, in the Carpathians, and have cap
tured positions on the heights, lhree battles are
in progress.
Germans Held in Check
BERLIN, Dec. 21.—The Slav resistance holds the
Germans in check in northern Dobrudja.
Heavy Fighting at Verdun
PARIS, Dec. 21.—Heavy fighting continues at
Verdun. Hot engagements have taken place at
Louvemont and Chambrettes. The French took more
than seven thousand prisoners in recent fighting,
and are making gains tovva: d Louvemont and Vach
eranville.
British Air Craft at Work
LONDON, Dec. 22.—British air craft have bom
barded enemy boats on the Tigris, and the bridge
over the Hal river, near the confluence with the
Tigris, has been destroyed.
Another Warning to Greece
LONDON, Dec. 22.—A new note by the entente
allies to Greece makes drastic demands for railway,
telegraph and post control, for the release of Veni
zelos prisoners, and for the prohibition of reserv
ists’ meetings.
- -♦
EFFORT TO RECONCILE RAILROAD MEN
WITHOUT AID OF NEW ADAMSON LAW
EVANSVILLE. Ind.. Dec. 16.- W. G. Lee, president of the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, has announced that the ra.l
roads and trainmen may make a contract without the a d of 'the
Adamson law.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 17. —Representative Adamson resent
the efforts of the railroads and trainmen to settle the eight-hour
dispute without reference to the Adamson law. He warns both
side- of the danger of such a course.
President Wilson expects little legislation to he put through
before Christmas.
Senator Borah of Idaho, in a published interview, announces
himself as opposed to the Wilson compulsory arbitration plan, lb
says such a law would he unconstitutional.
-♦
GERMAN VICE CONSUL AT SAN FRANCISCO
ON TRIAL FOR SEATTLE DYNAMITE OUTRAGE
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 22. -Franz Bopp, German vice con
sul in this city, is on trial in the federal court here, charged with
violation of the neutrality laws. He claims that he is the victim
of his employes, who tried to blackmail him. The case involves
the Seattle dynamite outrage, a year ago last May, when a barge
loaded with explosives was destroyed in Seattle harbor. He is
also charged with the destruction of other consignments of muni
tions for the entente allies on the Pacific coa-t.
-♦
CAN’T GET ALONG WITHOUT THEIR COCKTAILS
BOSTON, Dec. 20. By a vote of 51.459 against 29.297, Bos
ton hi:« decided to remain “wet” under the license system.
“Bone Dry” Bill Stands Chance of Passing
OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 20.—The Anti-Saloon League an
nounees that 95 per cent of the members of the Washington
state legislature are in favor of the “bone drv" bill.
-♦ --
LARGE SUM TO RELIEVE SOLDIERS’ FAMILIES
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Secretary of War Baker has asked
congress for an appropriation of $8,500,000 for the families of
enlisted men in the regular army and in the national guard. Im
mediate action is urged.
-♦-—
CHILDREN LOSE THEIR LIVES IN KANSAS FIRE
WICHITA. Kan., Dec. 22. The Kansas Home fur the Old
and Young was burned last night, and twenty lives were lost, in
cluding eight children who perished in the lire.
-♦
WILL START NEW YEAR AS KING OF HUNGARY
LONDON, Oec. 19.—The formal coronation of Emperor
Carlos of Austria as king of Hungary will take place on December
30, according to a Budapest rc^rt.
GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF WIRELESS PLANTS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.--Steps are being taken by the gov
ernment to control all radio communication, the government to
buy the plants at a fair valuation.
KILLED MAN AT NOME BEFORE NOME WAS
TACOMA, Dec. 16. A man named Jim Foley has surrendered
to the police, claiming that he killed “Diamond Dutch” at Nome
in 1S9S. He appears to be sane.
AMERICANS ON BOARD TORPEDOED STEAMER
LONDON, Dec. 19.—Seventeen American muleteers were bst
when the British transport ship Russian was sunk by a sub
marine.