VALDEZ, ALASKA. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, »»15. NO. 11»
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WANT DATA BN
WAN MUNITIONS
Government Asks for Information
From American Manufactur
ers—Supplies Needed.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8.—Ameri
can manufacturers of war supplies
have been asked by the War Depart
ment for information concerning
their facilities with particular refer
ence to what service the United States
government could expect from them
in case of emergency.
With virtually every private plant
in the country taxed to its utmost
capacity in filling enormous orders
from the Euorpean belligerants, ar
my officials want to know whether
expansion of facilities has kept pace
with the demand and whether the
government would be certain of a
source of supply to supplement the
output *»••' Us arsenals and armories.
K jrdinary times the govern
mt$’ rfi.s produce only a part
of tfie-and ammunition for the
army. Measures to strengthen the
national defense during The coming
session of congress are expected to
result in vastly incrased demands j
for supplies, aside from any emer
gency that may arise. Consequently
the War Department has instituted
a general inquiry to take stock of
resources.
C0TT1 DECLARED
A CONTRABAND
Neutral Powers Notified by Roman
Government of Intention to
Confiscate Cargoes.
* **
ROME, Sept. 8.—The Italian gov
ernment has declared cotton contra
band of war and has notified all the
neutral powers of the intention to
confiscate all cotton cargoes which
leave neutral ports after September
10th. The commanders of warships
at sea have been advised of the new
rule and will take as prizes of war
the ships found loaded with cotton
for any of the enemy countries of
Italy*,
It is expected here that Great Bri
tain and France will follow the action
of Italy and that all cotton shipments
to Germany and Austria will be
stopped In a short time.
SCHOOL FUNDS
ARE DEPLETED
Governor Strong Asks for More
Money for Schools Outside of
Incorporated Towns.
JUNEAU, Sept. S.—Gov. Strong
has written to the department of the
interior at Washington, asking for
more money for the maintainance of
the public schools of Alaska outside
of the incorporated cities. The gov
ernor has pointed out that with the
present funds the school term will
have to be reduced as the amount
will not allow for a nine months
term.
The $15,000 allowed by the last
legislature from the road fund and
the forest moneys, for educational
purm-ses may be contested in court,
but rjf upheld by the courts it will
^ not be enough to care for the schools.
^ , The shortage is due mostly to the
, establishment of eleven new districts.
Harry Kavanaugh, the Cold Bay
mail carrier, will leave on the Admi
ral Farragut for Iliamna.
Deputy Marshal Paul Buckley will
leave for Upalaska on the Alameda
tomorrow, transferring to the Dora
at Seward.
GRAND DUKE SENT
TO THE CAUCASUS
PETROGRAD, Sept. 8 —The Czar
has announced the appointment of
Duke Nicholas as commander-in
chief of the Russian forces operating
against the Turks in the Caucasus
region. The Grand Duke has start
ed for his new duties. The appoint
ment is made in order to relieve the
situation In Russia, where the Grand
Duke has lost the confidence of his
staff generals, and of the field armies
operating against the German invad
ers.
The Czar is in personal command
of the troops today, but s expected
to name a successor mi a few Jays
from among the generals who have
made excellent reputations 'n the
fighting against the enemy.
GERMANS CLAIM
PEGU IS DEAD
Teutons Aviator Drops Wreath In- j
scribed to Pegoud from Clouds
Upon French Territory.
BELFORT, France, Sept. 8.—A
German aviator today dropped a
wreath into the fort in this city. Th«
wreath was inscribed, "‘To Pegoud.
Dead French Aviator.” As Pegoud
Las been a prisoner in the hands ot
the Germans for several months, it is
feared that he has been executed be
cause of his wonderful work with the
air machine, having destroyed a Zep
pelin, a score of German aviators, and
by his work kept the French army
officers posted upon the movements
of the German troops.
The American ambassadur at Paris
has been requested to ascertain
through Ambassador Gerard the
whereabouts of Pegoud. and if he
is still in the land of the living.
PLAN TO CHECK
MEXICAN BANDITS
War Department Prepares Plans to
Control the Invading Mexicans
and Check Operations.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 8.—
The War department is determined
to check the invasions Into Arizona
and Texas of Mexican bandits, who
have tried to destroy ranch houses,
steal cattle and horses and kill Amer
ican citizens. Just what measures
will be taken has not been announced
but it is expected that more troops
will be sent to the border along with
several hundred secret service men,
who will try to learn of the raids In
time to plan traps for the Invaders
and thus wipe them out.
It is known that the War depart
ment has issued orders to the com
mander at the border to check the
raids at any cost and if necessary to
ft^low the raiders into Mexico. The
agents here of the Carranza and Vil
la governments have been advised of
the intention of the government to
keep order and of the determination
to follow the raiders into Mexico.
Reports reaching the Secretary of
War indicate that 300 Mexicans have
been killed in the past month along
the border as the troops, the police
officials and the rangers are killing
raiders on sight.
WIRELESS NOW REACHES
AS FAR AS TOLOVANA|
FAIRBANKS, Sept. 8.—The new
wireless station in the Tolovana is
now in operation, and. communica
tion between this city and the new
diggings is possible. The station in
the mining camp was taken into the
district by Falcon Joslln, who expects
to perfect the service so that the two
towns can be in constant communi
cation.
GENERAL FUNSTON DECLARES
MARTIAL LAW ON DORDER
FIVE THOUSAND FEDERAL TROOPS ARE CONCENTRATED AT
BROWNSVILLE—INVADING MEXICANS WILL BE SEVERELY
DEALT WITH—TROOPS TO HAVE FULL AUTHORITY—RAN
GERS HAVE BEEN KILLING SCORES OF MEXICANS AND MIGII T
BRING ON WAR SO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES WILL ACT AND
WILL PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE ALONG BORDER
BROWNSVILLE, Sent 8.—Oen.
Funston today declared martial lav/
along the border < f Mexico, extend
ing from Brownsville to the Pacific
coast, and hereafter the military au
thorities are to have full authority
to deal with the invading bandits
from Mexico. The action was taken
by the War department, because of
the frequent clashes between the po
lice of the towns along the border,
and of the sheriffs of the border
counties and the Mexicans in which
encounters the Mexicans have almost
always come off second best, and
but few prisoners have been taken
by the police, as they claimed that
the Mexicans attempted to run or at
tacked them, and that it was neces
sary to shoot.
General Funston has a force of
5000 troops here and fully 20,000
troops are now on the border, hav
ing been moved from Texas City.
Galveston and from northern bar
racks and placed in camp along the
frontier.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8.—The .ac
tion of General Funston in declaring
martial law along the border is con
sidered one of the most far reaching
acts in the Mexican situation. It is
expected that unless the invasions
into the United States stop that the
troops will push across the border
and arrest all armed Mexicans not
attached to any organized military
force.
The military authorities are also
expected to prevent the frequent
raiding of Mexico b> American
ranchers and police officials, who m
longer respect the border when pur
suing a Mexican, but follow the ban
dits across the line and frequently
kill them in Mexico, leaving the bod
ies as a warning to others.
AMERICAN LOST ON HESPERIAN
LANSING IS SEEKING FACTS
LONDON REPORTS THAT ONE AMERICAN WAS LOST WHEN THE
STEAMER WAS SURMARINED—AMBA88ADOR PAGE AND CON
SULAR AGENTS SEEKING FACTS—AFFIDAVITS OF SHIP’S OFFI
CERS FILED WITH AMBASSADOR AND TELEGRAPHED TO THE
STATE DEPARTMENT—ACTION OF STATE DEPARTMENT IS IN
DOUBT, BUT WILL AWAIT FULL REPORT ON SINKING.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—One American
citizen lost his life In the sinking of
the British passenger ship Hesperian,
is the report reaching this city. The
American ambassador has started an
investigation, not only of the report
that an American was lost, but also
of the details of the sinking of the
liner, which was done in spite of the
agreement between Germany and the
United States, which protected pas
senger carrying steamers from attack
except after the passengers and crew
had been given an opportunity to es
caps from the vessel in safety.
The refugees are being cared for
by the government. Their statements
and affidavits are being taken by the
American consul and also by the
British admiralty authorities.
Washington Gets Facts.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6.—The
State department has received reports
from consular agents in England and
from the American ambassador at
London, and also have received by
wire copies of the affidavits made by
the officers and crew of the British
liner Hesperian, which show clearly
that the ship was sent to the bottom
by a German submarine.
What action the depaittnent will
take is not known, but Secretary
Lansing is expected to aok on explan
at*on from the German fc reign office
and until it is given will make no
public statement.
NEGRO CHARGED WITH
RAPE IS LYNCHED.
NASHVILLE, Sept. 8.—The au
thorities are investigating the lynch
ing in this city of a negro charged
with rape. The prisoner was taken
from the police, and hung to a tree.
The mob then dispersed.
TRAIN TURKS TO
REPLACE GERMANS.
BUCHAREST, Sept. 8.—The Turk
ish War office has started to train
young Turkish soldiers for work In
the army as officers, to replace the
Germans, who are not liked by the
rank and file of the army and are to
be replaced as soon as enough train
ed officers can be secured from tbe
new army school now in operation in
Constantinople. German officers are
the teachers at the school.
The Turks are beginning to doubt
the final victory of the Germanic al
lies and reports continue to reach
here of efforts to make a separate
peace unless the munitions shortage
is soon relieved.
>
SCHOOL TO OPEN
NEXT MONDAY MORNING
The Valdez public schools will
open next Monday. Prof Davis Is
taking a census of the school chil
dren in the city and under the com
pulsory school law all of school age
will be forced to attend the schools.
The Valdez Dock Company have
been advised from Seattle that the
steamship Northwestern would not
leave until 10 o’clock tomorrow
morning.
WESTERN RAILROADS
WOULD RAISE RATES.
CHICAGO, Sept. 8.—The officials
of the western railroads will peti
tion the interstate commerce com
mission for a rehearing on the ques
tion of granting the roads a right to
increase freight rates. The railroad
officials point out the fact that with
the decreased earnings of the sys
tems they are facing a crisis and un
less rates are raised most of the
roads will be forced to the wall
TOLOVAXA OUTPUT WILL
REACH ABOUT $00,000.
FAIRBANKS, Sept. 8.—The out
put in the Tolovana district this year
will be $60,000, which is consider
ed exceptionally good, considering
tlje amount of work done and the
newness of the camp. Many large
mining plants are enronte to the
camp and will be in operation next
winter.
ALAMEDA DUE HERE
LATE TOMORROW.
_
The steamship Alameda of the
Alaska Steamship company passed
Skagway at 9:00 o’clock last even
ing and is expected to reach Cordo
va tomorrow morning, and Valdez
some time in the evening.
HEAVY QUAKE IN !
CENTRAJJMERICA
SAN JUAN DEL SUH, Nic., Sept.
8.—Reports from many sections in
Central America show a frightful
loss of life resulting from the se
vere earthquakes that were reported
last night. A score of towns have
been wiped out.
Reports show that 1000 peopie
were killed in the quakes. Buildings j
were rocked from their foundations I
and broken up, killing the inhabi-1
tants. Many have fled into the moun- !
tains and from the cities, seeking
safety in the open air.
The governments are sending aid ,
to the refugees, but the American j
Red Cross Society has been asked to j
aid with food and medical supplies, j
Do Considerable Damage—Several
Fires are Started—Destroy
German Aeroplane.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—A number of
French aviators today made a suc
cessful raid upon the German city
of Freiburg, starting a number of
fires from the bombs dropped, de
stroying an arsenal, which was
wrecked by being hit by the new
high power aerial bombs, recently is
sued to the French aviation corps,
and also sent a German aviator and
bis assistant to death in a battle
above the clouds.
Several fast machines -were used
by the aerial squadron for protection
against the interference of German
airships. One of the Kaiser's avia
tors was cornered by two French
aviators, his machine disabled and
sent to the ground in a heap of
wreckage.
BRITISH GOLD
REACHES HI
—
Allies Intend to Maintain Credit in
America and Ship Gold and
Bond to J. P. Morgan,
NEW YORK, Sept. 8.- Guarded
by armed detectives and the police of
the city stationed along the r*ute
from the Grand Central station to
the J. P. Morgan banking house at
Wall and Broad streets, to prevent
any effort to destroy a valuable
shipment of gold and bonds sent
from London to the agents here for
the Allies, reached the Morgan bank
ing house this morning.
The value of the shipment Is stated
to have been $80,000,000. It con
sisted of gold and also of American
bonds and stocks held by English
banks, but which they are now send
ing here rather than continue the
stream of gold from the old to the
new world.
SWISS FILL WAR ORDERS.
Munitions are Manufactured for
Both Britain and Germany.
Geneva, via Paris, Sept 6.—The j
Lausanne Gazette says the English j
government has recently placed large j
orders for ammunition, especially ■
for shells, with Swiss factories, sup-:
plyirg the raw material to the Swiss j
through France, and that thousands
of Swiss watchmakers are engaged
in making the more delicate parts of
projectiles. Germany likewise has
placed orders for munitions with
Swiss manufacturers.
NEW MINING TOWN
IS NAMED BROOKS.
FAIRBANKS, Sept. 8.—The new
mining town In the Tolovana dis
trict has been officially named
Brooks in honor of Alfred Brooks,
the head of the Geological Survey In
Alaska.
GERMANS READY
INVADE SERBIA
Force of 300,000 Men Has Concen
trated Near Belgrade Ready
for Invasion.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—The German
War office is preparing for the inva
sion into Serbia. A strong force of
German troops has been concentrat
ed near Belgrade for an invasion
into Serbia. Besides the German
Torces a large number of Austrian
troops from northern parts of the
Austrian Empire, where the loyalty
is stronger than in the Slav sections,
are co-operating with the Kaiser's
army and are ready to beat a way
through Serbia to relieve the short
age of ammunition in Turkey.
The first attack will be against
Belgrade. The Serbians are prepar
ed. The crossing of the river will be
made at terrible cost in lives, as the
river banks have been tortified and
deep trenches dug. Besides the Brit
ish and French war offices have sent
many army officers and a large num
ber of new and powerful guns, along
with big supplies of munitions to the
Serbians to aid in holding back the
invading forces of the Germanic al
lies.
HEARSE DRIVERS
AID THE LIVING
Telephone Girls Secure Aid of Hearse
Drivers to Warn People of
Cloud Burst.
FORT SCOTT, Kansas, Sept. 8.—
A cloud burst near here threatened
the lives of several thousand people,
who were saved by the nuick wit of
a telephone operator, who called up
the drivers*of four hearses, and they
immediately hitched their teams to
the hearses and drove like mad thru
the threatened district, warning the
inhabitants to flee for safely to the
high lands along the river.
The warning saved t wo thousand
people, who were asleep at t ie time
and would, undoubtedly have been
caught by the rushing waters Many
homes were washed away and the
property damage will total half a
million dollars.
ZEPPELIN Hi
AGAIN SUCCESSFUL
Many Fires Started by Rombs and
Casualties Reported as Very
Heavy—Airships Escape.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—A number of
Zeppelins made a successful raid on
the east coast of England last night.
Incendiary bottles were dropped on
several cities, with the result that
many fires were started and consid
erable property loss incurred. The
reports from the coast towns indi
cate the loss of life was far greater
this time than on any previous raid
of the Zeppelins. As ustul the wom
en and children and non-combatants
have been the sufferers not a soldier
having lost his life.
The army aviators, along with the
fast torpedo boats, finally d.rove the
Zeppelins away.
STEAMSHIP NORTHWESTERN
REACHES SEATTLE.
SEATTLE. Sept. 8.—The Alaska
Steamship Company’s liner North
western reached this city yesterday,
coming south on the outside route.
The boat will Immediately reload and
go north late this evening or early
tomorrow morning.