_ T ,, ,, Two Bits Pek Copy
One Dou.au Pek Month. __
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.—The galleries of the house of representatives were packed with visitors
today when President Wilson, following the custom inaugurated by him, read his annual message to the
joint session of congress.
The President told the legislators that congress must look ahead—must look to the future. The
war had made many changes, and the European markets must be supplied with American products.
Discussing the Philippines problem, the President said the time had come for the consideration of a
bill granting the Filipinos independence.
He urged upon congress the necessity for the establishment of steamship lines by the government,
to take care of American commerce, which has been demoralized since the opening of hostilities in
Europe.
A considerable portion of the message is devoted to Alaska affairs, and the President calls attention
to the dangerous and unprotected condition of the Alaska coast. He demands that Alaska waters be thor
oughly surveyed and charted, and states that the work so far done is incomplete at almost every point.
He calls attention to the numerous vessels lost in Alaska waters and the consequent loss of life and prop
erty. The vessels which have been employed in the coast and geodetic survey service have not proved ade
quate for the work, as they are old and not equipped with the proper machinery. The vessels used m
survey and charting work have been so nearly unsea worthy that had private parties sent them to sea the
government would have interfered.
Economy in the expenditures of public money is earnestly urged.
Somewhat in the nature of an answer to the recent alarmist utterances of a section of the press and
of certain public men is the President’s handling of the national defense problem. He says that America
is a country of peace, and as such we should not depend upon a large army, ready to take the field at a
moment’s notice. We must depend, not upon the standmg army or reserve army, but upon a citizenry
trained and accustomed to the use of arms.
The President announces his belief in the principle of maintaining a navy for defense, but never for
aggressive action.
'DEATH OF SERENO PAYNE,
“FATHER OF THE HOUSE”
—
W AS HIN GT( )N, Dec. 11. R epresen t a
five Sereno K. Payne of New York, known
| as the “father of the house” and joint au
thor of the Payne-Aldrich tariff law, died
suddenly here today of heart failure.
Sereno Flisha Payne was born at Ham
ilton, N. V.. in 1843, and was graduated
from the University of Rochester in 1864.
| He was admitted to the bar in 1866 and
| has since practiced law at Auburn. He
was elected to congress from the Thirty
sixth New York district in the Forty-eighth
|congress, and has been a continuous mem
ber of the house ever since with the ex
ception of during the Fiftieth congress. He
was recently re-elected as a member of the
Sixty fourth congress.
AMERICAN DIPLOMAT
SUCCUMBS AT HONOLULU
HONOLULU, Dec. 9. W. W. Rockhiil,
the American diplomat, died here today of
pneumonia, lie was cn route to China to
assume the post of confidential adviser to
the president of the Chinese republic.
William Woodville Rockhiil was born in
Philadelphia in 1X">4. He was educated in
Paris, and entered the diplomatic service of,
the United States in 1S84, as secret at y of
the American legation at Peking. He at
various times occupied responsible Jiph
niatic positions, and was ambassador to !
Russia for several years. He was assistant
secretary of state during j art of President
Cleveland's first term, and had headed sci i
entifie expeditions to Tibet and China in the
interest of the Smithsonian instiluton. lie
was the author of varous works on Oriental
subjects.
You can beat a drum, but you can’t my
prices. Win. Taylor, Hat I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.—Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane, in his annual report to congress,
asks for an appropriation of $5,000,000 at the present session in connection with construction work on
the Alaska government railway projects. The money called for in this appropriation is-to be used for the
purpose of establishing a construction base at Ship Creek, and for work along Turnagain arm, Cook
inlet, also through the Susitna valley. Besides this contemplated work, it is believed that the iine from
Seward, the Alaska Northern, can be purchased and put in good condition for $5,000,000.
Secretary Lane reviews at length Alaska road work, and again urges his plan for the creation of a
development board to handle the affairs of the federal government in Alaska.
UNITED STATES WARSHIP
UNDAMAGED BY ACCIDENT
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7. -The United
States battleship Kansas, driven by a sixty
mile gale, went ashore on the Maryland
coast today. It was at first thought that
she was a vessel of one of the foreign fleets
doing duty off the coast, but later her
identity was established.
She managed to free herself and get
away undamaged.
MILLIONAIRE INDICTED
ON SENSATIONAL CHARGE
CHICAGO. Dec. 5. -Colonel Charles Alex
ander, a millionaire of Providence, R. i..
was today indicted by the federal grand jury
for violation of the Mann “white slave”
act. The indictment was made on com
plaint of Miss Jessie Copp, a young woman
prominent in Los Angeles, Cal., society, and
it has caused a profound sensation through
out the country.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
TO RESIST PROHIBITION
TUSCON. Ariz., Dec. 5. The recent
adoption by the voters of this state of a
prohibition law has taken the liquor deal
ers by surprise, and strenuous efforts are
being made to have the act declared un
constitutional. A large fund has been raised
for the purpose of fighting the measure in
the courts.
Additional interest was given to the con
troversy today by the announcement that
prominent members of the Catholic church
would take a hand in the fight, and would
probably assist in the fight against the ;
law, owing to the fact that it is construed \
to prevent the use of wine in the sacra
ments of the church.
FAMOUS BOER GENERAL
TO FACE COURT-MARTIAL
JOHANNESBURG. Dec. 5. General De
Wet, the famous irreconcilable Boer leader,
who headed the recent revolt against Brit
ish sovereignty in South Africa, and wo
was taken prisoner last week, is confined
in the fori here. He will be held pending
trial before a court-martial. The revolt did
not assume alarming proportions.
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 9. General
Beyers, one of the leaders of the Boer re
bellion, is officially reporter! dead. He was
shot and his body fell in the river and
was washed away.
NORWAY STORM-RIDDEN
CHRISTIANIA. Dec ">. The southern
coast of Norway is today in the grip of
a violent storm, and the country is Hooded.
GREAT EDISON PLANT
DESTROYED BY FLAMES
V.T.ST ORAN’GR N. J.. Dec. 10. Fire
last night destroyed the principal building
«.1 :h< I-.dis n Klectric Company. which were
supposed to be fireproof. The loss is esti
r *:.'d ci S7.000.tl00. with insurance of only
S LOOO.OOO.
Three thousand men arc thrown out of
cn.t loymeut.
ThiA. Kdison announces that the
company will rebuild tlie plant immediately.
Th.e latest invention of Mr. lvtsson was
v«d
JOSLIN CHOSEN DIRECTOR
OF MINING CONGRESS
PHOENIX. Ariz.. Dec. 10. The Anieri
< .a Mining Congress, which has been in
t ••.•Mm here ihi> week, today chose Falcon
.h.slin of Fairbanks. Alaska, as one of the
mx directors.
Resolution? have been introduced request
ing congress to allow as.-c-<ment work on
mining claim' for the year 1914 to be
waived
Oid Officers Re-elected
PHOENIX. Ariz.. Dec. 11. President
Scholz and Secretary Callbreath were both
v -elected : i today - ses.Mon of the American
Mining Congress.
PROPOSES HIGH HONORS
FOR ALASKA NAVIGATOR
WASHINGTON. Dec. 7. Senator Jones
(: the state of Washington has introduced
a n - lution in congress thanking Captain
Mnore of the steam.-hip Cordova and others
: the part they took in Saving the crew
< i the United States revenue cutter Ta
in una when she was wrecked last summer
< the Alaska coast.
KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN
WOULD SQUELCH RAILROAD
V\'A<IJI\(iTON. Dec. S. Representativ*»
I. >ngli-y of Kentucky today gave notice of
hi.- proposal to introduce a bill repealing the
FcKl.uion authorizing the government to
undertake tie1 construction and operation of
railroads in the territory of Alaska.
ALASKA TO BE MADE DRY
BY PRESENT CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.--Representa
tive Falconer. Progressive congressman from
thf -late of Washington, said today that
every effo rt possfile will be made to make
Alaska a “dry” territory during the present
M'-.-ion of congress.
PRESIDENT’S CHRISTMAS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.—President
Wilson will celebrate Christmas at the
White House in the midst of his entire
family. The stork is said to be hovering
over the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frances
K. Sayre.
PARIS IS AGAIN THE CAPITAL
PARIS, Dec. 11.—The seat of the French
government has been moved back to Paris
and in a few days the different department?
will be again established in their old quar
ter?.
WSCK RETURNS TO WORK
SEATTLE, Dee. 8.—James Wickersham,
delegate in congress from Alaska, arrived
in this city from the North today, en
route to Washington to resume his con
gressional duties.
NOVEL TAX PROPOSAL
TOLEDO, 0., Dec. 10.—'The latest war
tax revenue proposal is a 10-cent stamp to
be attached to marriage certificates by min
isters performing the ceremony.
RECHARGE YOUR FIRE EXTIN
GUISHERS
Plenty of acids and soda at Dr. Moore’s
.Drug Store, Flat City. ___
THE EASTERN CAMPAIGN
Great Slaughter Reported by Russians
} \ ; }?< t [/ \ i l»,, . :> The bit <u!n *t and most pitiless battle of the
war is today raging soulhee*! r L.>dz. in Russian Poland. ^ Ninety per
crnt of the German off’ .: * have been put out of action, and many regi
ments have less than a hundred men left.
Sons of Kaiser Have Narrow Escape
LONDON. Dec. 5. Princes Oscar and Joachim, sons of Kaiser Wil
helm. are said to have escaped death in the big tight in Poland by taking
flight in an a» roplane.
Lodz in Hands of the Germans
LONDON. Dec. 7. 1? is admitted here that Lodz has ialien into the
hands of the Germans, after a desperate battle which has been waged 1* r
several days.
British Official Version
LONDON. Dec. s. One hundred thousand Russian troops were cap
tured by the German and Austrian forces at Lodz.
Immense Force of Russians at Cracow
LONDON. Ds-v. S. Uu.-san troops numi ; ring 270,008 have arrived
before the city of Cracow.
“Situation Unchanged”
PETROGRAD. Dec. 8. The situation around Lodz remains un
changed.
Russians Being Pushed Eastward
LONDON. Dec. (J. The German forces in Russian Poland are steadily
pushing the Russians - a*; ward from Lodz, and are beginning to threaten
Warsaw from the north.
A Regular Inferno
PETROGRAD. Dec. 10. After a fortnight of fighting the bombard
ment of Lodz continues a regular inferno.
Revolt in Austrian Army
GENEVA, Dec. 10. News has been received here that three Czech
regiments of the Austrian army, fighting against Servia, have revolted on
the battlefield. __
IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE
Fear Result of “Holy War"
WASHINGTON. Dec. 5. -Advices received by the state department
give the information that alarmed Christians are fleeing from the interior
(d Turkey to the coast since the “holy war ’ has been proclaimed.
Railroad Communication Severed
AMSTERDAM, Dec. 5. —Information has been received that the great
tunnel near Tekija has been dynamited, thus severing communication be
tween Servia and Roumania.
Roumania Joins Allies
LONDON. Dec. 7.—Geneva dispatches indicate that Roumania has
decided in take part in the war, and that .she will be arrayed on the side
of the allies.
Praises His Troops
NISH, Dec. 7.— King Peter has visited the theater of war am! has be
stowed his praises upon the Servian troops.
Belgrade Not Yet Occupied by Germans
PARIS, Dec. 7. —An official statement has been received here from
the Servian government that although the city of Belgrade has been
evacuated by the Servians, it ha* not been taken by the Austrian forces.
King Peter Encourages His Troops
VIENNA, Dec. S. King Peter of Servia has assumed command of
his army, and already has inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy.
Respect for British and French
KAI.OMCA. Dec. 9. All Hus ian. Servian and Montenegrin subjects
in Smyrna huv< been arrested by the Turks, but till the British and French
residents have been permitted to leave.
Turkish Cruiser Disabled
PETROGRAD, Dec. 7. The Turkish cruiser Hamidich has been dam
aged by striking a mine and has returned to Constantinople.
Terrible Losses of Montenegrins
King Nicholas of Montenegro declares that one-third of his army has
fallen on the battlefield.
New Balkan League
LONDON, Dec. 7. A new Balkan league is said to be in process of
formation, to be so constituted as to be satisfactory to the allies.
Rumored Surrender of Turks
LONDON. Dec. It). A rumor is in circulation here, although it is un
confirmed, to the effect that the commander of the Turkish forces at
Kurna has surrendered to a force of British Indians.
Japanese Spies in Turkey
CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 11 Eight Japanese spies have been ar
rested here.
IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM
Allies Again on the Offensive
PARIS. Dec. S. The forces of the allies are again on the offensive
in northern France and Belgium.
Movements Retarded by Snow
GENEVA. Dec. 5. The movements of the French troop? in Alsace
is slow by reason of the fact that the Vosges mountains are full of snow.
Fighting in Spite of Storm
PARIS, Dec. 5. Amdist a howling gale and snowstorm, the fighting
in northwestern Belgium is increasing in intensity.
King Rewards Soldiers
LONDON. Dec. 5. King George ha? decorated several British soldiers
on the French battlefields, making the presentations in person.
George Is Satisfied
LONDON, Dee. 7. King George has expressed himself as well satis
fied with the troops at the front.
To Obviate Unnecessary Losses
BERLIN, Dec. 7. The evacuation of Vernells by the German troops
is announced, and it is stated that the step was taken on account of the
continuous disastrous fire from the French artillery, which caused un
necessary losses.
German Zeppelin Destroyed
LONDON, Dec. 7. Three British aeroplanes engaged in battle with
a German Zeppelin, and as a result the latter has been crumpled.
Indications of Advance of Allies
LONDON, Dec. 9.—The German divisional headquarters have been
removed from Roulers, and shells falling c.n the town indicate the ad
vance of the allies.
Cholera in Austria and Germany
ROTTERDAM, Dec. 9. Cholera is reported to have broken out both
in Austria and Germany.
British Aeroplanes Give Good Account of Themselves
ROTTERDAM, Dec. 10. British aeroplanes have inflicted great dam
age ('n tlie German defenses of Antwerp. They escaped under a terrific
fire.
Germans Continue Bombardment
LONDON, Dec. 10. The Germans continue a heavy bombardment
at Yprcs, and also at Fumes*
Germans Planning Submarine Raid
LONDON, Drc. li. Great excitement prevails at Dover because of
a report that the Germans are preparing for a raid with submarines.
Successes of Allies
The allies have taken Holders, and the Germans have been driven out
of Armentierres. __
MARAUDING GERMAN CRUISERS SHATTERED
Three Vessels and Two Thousand Lives Lost
LONDON, Dec. 10. A British cruiser squadron under Vice Admiral
Sturdee succeeded in locating the German cruisers which have been caus
ing havoc with the shipping of Great Britain and France in the Pacific.
They were encountered near the Falkland islands, off the Atlantic coast
of South America, and in the engagement which ensued the German cruis
ers Scharnhorst, Gneiseau and Leipzig were sunk and the cruisers Dresden
and Nurnsburgg, besides two colliers, made their escape. Nearly two
thousand lives were lost. The British casualties were slight.
Captain of Famous Cruiser a Captive
Captain Von Mueller of the German cruiser Emden. which was de
stroyed recently by the Australian cruiser Sydney, is being brought to
England.
British Squadron Completes the Job
BUENOS AYRES, Dec. 10. It is reported here that the British
squadron has overtaken and sunk the German cruisers Nurnburg and
Dresden. j
Another Story
LONDON. Dec. 11.—The German cruiser Nurnburg has been sunk
with all on board in an encounter with the British fleet, and the Dresden
0 cornered in the Strait of Magellan.
AD SOUTHEAST EUROPE
KAISER IS A SICK MAN
Berlin Says Bronchial Catarrh
BERLIN. Dec. 9. Kaiser Wilhelm is suffering severely from bron
chial catarrh.
Illness Officially Announced
LONDON, Dec. 9.- It is officially announced that the kaiser has
been stricken with pneumonia.
Saxony’s King Represents Kaiser on Battle Line
LONDON, Dec. 9. The king of Saxony, representing the kaiser, has
arrived at Brussels.
JONES OF WASHINGTON
REMARKS, “I DID IT”
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.- It is due to
the interest of Senator Jones of Washing
ton in the matter that the President in his
message to congress made extensive men
tion of the need of a coast survey for Alaska,
and of aids to navigation. Senator Jones
recently called upon the President and urged
him to incorporate recommendations on the
subject in his message to congress.
COLORADO COAL STRIKE
TERMINATED AT LAST
DENVER, Colo., Dec. 9.—The coal strike
in the mines of Southern Colorado has been
called off, to become effective tomorrow.
As a result of the settlement of the contro
versy the federal troops, which have been
in the district for several months to pre
serve order, will be withdrawn.
H. Boas received a letter by the last
mail from our former fellow-townsman,
Hyman Schlapik, written at Chicago on
October 26, telling of his safe arrival at his
home in that city, and finding his family
all well and happy.
Carranza Isolates Himself
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.—Information has
been received here that General Carranza
intends to dynamite several tunnels on the
railroad between Vera Cruz and Mexico
City.
Troops Sent to Naeo
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.—Sufficient fed
eral troops have been sent to Naco, Ariz.,
to handle any emergencies in connection
with firing across the border from Mexico.
Reported Arrest of Carranza
EL PASO, Tex., Dec. 8. It is reported
here that General Carranza has been ar
rested on the charge of looting the national
treasury of 6,000,000 pesos when he evacu
ated Mexico City.
J. I. Wills, a well-known Alaskan who
has been a resident of the Kuskokwim val
ley for the past four years, and now makes
his home on Peluk creek, arrived in this
camp last Saturday on a business trip, and
remained until Monday.
POPE ASKS CHRISTMAS TRUCE
ROME, Dec. S. Pope Benedict has sub
mitted to each of the belligerent nations a
suggestion that a truce be declared cover
ing the Christmas period.
Kaiser Is Willing
BERLIN. Dec. 11.—The kaiser has ex
pressed a willingness to comply with the
request of the pope, and to grant a three
weeks’ Christmas truce, providing that every
warring nation do the same.
United States Congress to Join in Request
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.—Senator Ken
yon today introduced a resolution asking
congress to request the warring nations of
Europe to declare a Christmas truce.
When you come in from the creeks, stop
in at the Crosby and try Osteopathy. Chiro
practic Massages, with Hydro-Therapy
Treatments.
THE CROSBY MASSAGE AND BATH
PARLORS
The Home of the Twentieth Century Turk
ish Bath
Home-made sauer kraut..
Crowley Porter.
Mandot and Kilbane Fight a Draw
AKRON, 0., Dec. 8.— Joe Mandot and
-Johnny Kilbane fought a twenty-round con
test in this city last night, whch was de
clared by the referee to be a draw.
Last Fght in California
LOS ANGELES, Cal., Dec. 8.—What is
advertised to be the last licensed boxing
contest to take place in this state is to be
pulled off tonight at the Vernon arena, when
Johnnie Dundee and Joe Rivers, light
weights, meet for a twenty-round go.
Sam McVey Gets Decision
NEW YORK. Dec. 11.—Before the New
York Athletic Club last night Sam McVey
and Battling Jim Johnson, colored heavy
weight pugilists, contested for ten rounds.
McVey was easily the winner, and was
given the decision on points.
FOR SALE—Two fast dogs, one Irish set
ter, one shepherd. Inquire of J. J.
Smith, Iditarod.
aioct
DAY OF PRAYER IN CANADA
QUEBEC. Dec. 7.- January 3 has been
set aside as a day of prayer throughout
Canada for the ending of the war.
Start the New Year Right_
lie
AND WINTER CARNIVAL
To Be Given by Camp No. 27, A. B.
flew Year’s Eve., Deo. 31
Is Going to Be a Hummer
Prizes for All the Usual Stunts, and Then Some. See the List Later
TICKETS, INCLUDING SUPPER, $5.00
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR
NOT TO BE DISCUSSED
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.—The annual
report of Secretary of War Garrison, just
submitted to congress, urges recruiting the
army To its full war strength, stating that
the present reserve system is useless.
Gardner Indorses Recommendation
Representative Gardner of Massachusetts,
a Spanish-American war veteran, who has
been prominent in the discussion of the
system of national defense, in a speech in
the house today urged the enactment of
Secretary Garrison’s recommendation. lie
stated that if the Mexicans at Naco did not
cease firing across *he border American
soldiers would return the fire.
Discussion of War Preparations to Cease
WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.- Leading mem
bers of the house of representatives have
determined to resist the publication of sen
sational stories concerning the condition of
the United States army and navy, and the
discussion of the question of whether nr not
the country is prepared for war. Numer
ous articles by army and navy officers
published recently have aroused th«' ire of
members of congress, who believe that no
good purpose can be served by continual
agitation of war preparations.
Wants No Investigation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 President Wil
son has announced his opposition to the
proposed congressional investigation into
the question of the country's readiness for
war
BUSINESS WORLD OPTIMISTIC
SAYS SECRETARY McADOO
WASHINGTON, Dec. SI.—The report »f
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo, just sub
milted to congress, declares that a general
feeling of optimism pervades the business
world, and hat the country can look with
confidence to future prosperity.
The secretary recommends the building of
two more revenue cutters for the Pacific
coast.
FUNSTON PROMOTED
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.—General Fred
erick E. Funston, who recently returned
from his duties at Vera Cruz, has been
granted two months’ leave of absence,
which he will spend on the Mexican bor
der. At the expiration of that time he
will succeed General Bliss in command of
the Department of ths- East.
PERILS OF NAVIGATORS
LONDON, Dec. 7.—Two Swedish steam
ships, the Erverialda and the Luna, have
been destroyed by mines, and many lives
have been lost.
KENNEL CLUB MEETING
Members of the Iditarod Kennel Club,
and all persons interested in dog racing, are
requested to meet at the telephone office to
night (Saturday!, December 1914, at
8 o’clock, for the purpose of formulating
plans for the winter’s sports, and to transact
any other business that may come before
the meeting. BA' THE PRESIDENT.