" ---’ I VALDEZ, ALASKA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1917 NUMBER 38
VOLUME XIV. > '_
CABINET HIST
ON ARMING SHIPS
■■
president favors armament
f=-.
Members Declare Equal to Declara
tion of War While Others Insist on
Right to Arm Ships Against Attack
by Foreign Ships.
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WASHINGTON. D. C., Fet). 13 -’
The cabinet is sharply divided on the
question of arming American mer
chant ships. Some of the members
assert that the furnishing of guns to
ships is equivalent to a declaration of
war, while the others assert that it is
within the rights of a neutral nation
to arm merchant vessels against at
tack. The President favors provid
ing the ships with guns and gunners
and it is predicted that the navy de
■partment will be ordered to furnish
• the guns and gunners to merchant
ships.
KILL# TO FOLLOW
. PERSHING'S TRAIL
IN CONTROL OF NORTH MEXICO
•' ' ... '
Bandit Is In Possession of all North
ern States and Will Assume Gov
ernment of Same As Soon As United
States Withdraws Troops.
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NEW YORK. Fel>. 14.—Francisco
Villa and his troops are in potential
control of Northern Mexico and await
only the withdrawal of the American j
punative expedition to make that con-!
trol an actual one, according to John
J. Hawkes, Villa’s official agent in
this city.
.Basing his assertions upon infor
mation brought to him here, he says,
by messengers direct from Villa, who
is declared to be in command of the
force investing Chihuahua, Ilawes as
serted today that twenty Carranza
generals commanding nearly 15,000
Mexican troops in several states ad
joining the international border, have
made representations to Villa that
when the latter gives the word they
will turn from Carranza. The word
will be given asserts Hawkes, as soon
as the United States and Germany be
come sufficiently entangled to allow
the rebel leader to work without in
terference.
KILLS HIS OWN WIFE
FOK AN EXPERIMENT
BILLINGS, Mont., Feb. 14.—Be
lieving he had discovered a method
of restoring human life, Dr. J. C.
Hunter, widely-known physician and
research worker, tried the expe-i
ment by killing his wife at their
lson-.e, Hysham, Mont., several days
ago. Her body was found, say ad
vices received' here. Dr. Hunter is
a graduate of Johns Hopkins and
studied a year at Heidelburg, Ger
many. He was adjudged Insane and
ordered sent to the asylum.
Several months, ago Hunter cou-1
fided to fellow physicians his dis
covery. He had experimented with
small animals and succeeded, he de
clared, in reviving life. His next step,
he declared, would be upon a human
being.
FORMER VALDEZITE
NOW AT THE BORDER
All old-timers in Valdez will re
member F. W. Rosenthal (Tenas
Rosy) who was one of the pioneers
of this section and for several years
resided in Valdez. Several years ago
he went to the States and has not been
heard from for two or three years. On
the last mail T. H. Hunt of this city
received a letter from ftosenthal, In
which he states he is on the Mexican
border (probably with the militia)
and has recently been transferred to
. the Q. M. department.
Harold Paynter, who will take the
position of purser on the steamer
Dora, went through to Seward last
evening on the Mariposa,
ODD FELLOWS TO GIVE
BIG DANCE APRIL 20
On the anniversary of the founding
of the Order of Odd Fellows, on April
26. the Valdez lodge will give a grand
ball in celebration of the event. The
social affairs of this lodge are admit
tedly of the most enjoyable character,
end the projected dance will in no
wise fall short of the dances previ
ously given by this organization.
PRESIDENT ABANDONS n
HIS DAILY’ GOLE ROUND
WASHINGTON. D. C., Feb. 14.—
[Owing to the critical situation in the
foreign relations of the country the
Ipfejidcnt has abandoned his daily
golf and la devoting his entire time
and Attention to the affairs of the
nation.
NOW MARKS
BEGINNING CRISIS
SOON SETTLE QUESTION WAR
Assertion of Germany That Grace Pe
riod Ended and AH Vessels Sunk
Marks Beginning of the End—j
President to Call Conference.
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WASHINGTON. D. C., Feb. 14.—|
The announcement by Germany that
the period of grace was ended and
|that from this time on all vessels
within the proscribed areas would be
sunk, regardless of nationality, is con
sidered here as the beginning of the
crisis, and that within the next few
hours there might occur action oif the
part of German submarines that
would settle the position of the Uni'
ted States with reference to peace or
wif. The President is consideiing
the calling of a conference to define
the Neutral# Rights acts, and to fix
Austria’s naval status.
MAY BREAK WITH
THEJTTOIIAAS
ELKl'S INSTRUCTED TO REPORT
State Department Orders Ambassador
to Report on Turkey’s Stand on
Submarining—Has Not Keen Heard
Erom Since Break.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 14.—
The State Department has sent in
structions to Ambassador Elkus at
Constantinople, to investigate and re
port the stand taken by Turkey on
the submarine question. Elkus has
not been heard from since relatiohs
were broken with Germany. It is pts
sible that diplomatic relations will
also be broken with Turkey.
GERMAN PAPERS
CRITICISE PRESIDENT
BERLIN, Feb. 14.—The afternoon
newspapers devote columns of news
from America, which, with the ex
ception. of the weather, excludes ut
most everything else from their page',
Editorially the papers lay particular
stress on President Wilson’s move to
induce Switzerland and other neu
trals tp follow his lead. The com
ments are temperate in general, altho
President Wilson personally is more
sharply atacked than before his
peace efforts are ridiculed as utter
ly inconsistent with what is termed
his attempts to foment more trouble
in Europe.
McCHESNEY NOW WITH
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE
Robert J. McChesney, one of the
best-known newspaper men in Alaska,
and formerly with the Prospector
force, is now in charge of the me
chanical department of the Juneau
Empire, having come north from Se
attle on one of the last boats. Mr. Mc
Chesney succeeds R. L. Bernard In
this department, the latter having
gone to Fairbanks to take a position
on the News-Miner.
LATEST DREADNAUGHT IS FLAGSHIP
United States dreaduauglit Pennsylvania lr drjrdook, Just before leaving
to Join the Atlnntle fleet, of whloh sl»e Is the new flii jsliln
T
APPROPRIATION BOX PAHSKti
Meiislire Carries a Total of
OOO for Naval Purpose*.—*■Myf.OOO,
OOO Appropriated for Navy Vanl
Kffalpinent.
WASHINGTON. D. t\. Feb. 14.—
The Naval Appropriation bill passed
the House last evening, carrying a to
tal of $369,000,000. Of this amount
$13,000,000 Is for the purpose of
equipping the navy yards with the
latest improved machinery and appli
ances for construction work on war
ships.
1 FURTHER
MAHONS
GERMANY 8A¥S* !>»> NOT WISH
Intimates That Never' Expected Any
Further Negotiation!? With the Uni
ted States on the Submarine Cam
paign.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 14.—
Germany now intimates that she nev
er expected nor wished any further
negotiations with the United States
on the submarine question. Much sur
prise is expressed in official circles
over this stand on the part of Ger
many, as it was clearly intimated not
long since that Germany would wel
come any suggestion on the part of
the United States that would lead to
negotiations for the peaceful settle
ment of the existing differences be
tween the two countries.
STOLE TEN CENTS;
FACES LONG TERM
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Feb. 14.1—
Charles Brady must serve from five
to twenty years in the state peni
tentiary for stealing 10 cents from
Henry Hagerman here on the night of
January 6. A jury in the Hennepin
county district court convicted him
of robbery in first degree.
Deputy Clerk of the Court Charles
A. Hand returned on the Mariposa
after a vacation of several weeks
Bpent in the States. Hs is much im
proved in heftth. While outside he
was operatajfc; on for appendicitis,
from which tnfHias completely recov
ered, and stiti. that he feels much
better than h#has done for years.
•
WIELD DRGES
ALEXANDER DILL.
r
iINSISTS ON COMMITTEE REPORT
jSecretary of Commercf' I'ujes Mem
hers of Senate Fisheries Committee
I
to Report Measures to Senate for
Action.
WASHINGTON', D. C„ Feb. 14.—
Seeretary of Commerce Redfield is in
sisting that action be taken by the
Senate Fisheries committee on the
Alexander fisheries bill. He urges
the members to bring up the measure
and report the same at. the earliest
possible date.
6ERNST0RFF SAIL
FOR HOME TONIGHT
OX STEAMER FREDERIK VII.
Detail of Two Hundred Policemen
Guard Craft—Count and Wife Ex
press Gratitude and Hope for Early
Peace and Resumption of Relations
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 14.—
Count von Bernstorff and his wife
left here this morning for New York,
and will sail tonight on the Scandi
navian American liner Frederick VII
for Christiania. Both the Count and
his wife expressed their gratitude for
the courteous treatment accorded
them and the hope that peace between
the United States and Germany would
soon be restored aqd diplomatic rela
tions be resumed.
t
Guarding Vessel.
NEW YORK, Feb. 14.—Special
precautions have been taken to insure
the safety of the Scandinavian Amer
ican liner Frederick VII, on which
Count Von Bernstorff and suite will
sail tonight. Two hundred special po
lice were detailed to guard the vessel
and examine every person going on
board. Baggage and freight were
also thoroughly searched to prevent
the smuggling of explosives aboard
the steamer. Collector of Port Ma
lone slept aboard the vessel last night.
Advices received at the Marshal's
office stated that Commissioner Leo
pold-David, of Anchorage, is seriously
ill, and' M* J. Conroy has been tem
porarily appointed to take charge of
the business of that office until Mr.
David' recovers his health.
I
Prospector ads brlag results.
SO VOTE TAKEN ON
POST OFFICE MEASURE
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Feb. 14.—
The postoffice bill, providing for an
increase in the rate on second-class
mail matter, was taken up in the Sen
ate yesterday afternoon and debated
for an hour, and was then laid aside
without coming to a vote.
GERMAN SAILORS PRAY
KAISER WILL WIN W AR
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 14.—Pray
ers for an early peace and a German
victory were offered at services held.
Sunday by interned Germans at the
Philadelphia navy yard.
Germans flags were displayed con
spicuously on the auxiliary cruiser
Prinz Eltel Frederik and Kronprinz J
Wilhelm. The services were held
aboard the Prinz Frederik.
HIE STAR LINER
IS SUNK BY SUB
SEVENTEEN OF CREW MISSING
Steamer Afric Tor|>«doed by German
Subinnrine Off Plymouth Yester
day—Is Believed to Have Been In
i Employ of Admiralty.
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| =
LONDON, Feb. 14.—The White
I Star Liner Afric was torpedoed by a
German submarine off Plymouth yes
terday and sent to the bottom. A
part oi the Cf**w has been landed but
seventeen are reporffed to be missing.
The Afric left C'ape Town, South Af
rica. on December 3. and had nearly
readied port when she was torpedoed
She is believed to have been in the
service of the Admiralty.
The Afric was a steel, twin screw
i teamer of 11,948 gross tons, and was
built by Harland & Wolff at Belfast,
in 189S. She was 55.2 feet long.
63.3 feet beam and 31.9 feet depth
of hold.
ASK GERMANY
ABOUTAMERICANS
CAPTURED ON YARROW DA LE
Cabinet Holds Session and Discusses
Ke|»dtt That Germany Will Hold
Americans Prisoners of War Until
Germans Interned Are Released.
WASHINGTON, D. C.. Feb. 14.—
The cabinet held a session at which
was discussed the reported detention
of the Americans brought into a Ger
man port several weeks ago on the
captured British steamer Yarrowdale.
A communication will be sent to Ger
many through the Swiss minister ask
ing what the government Intends do
ing with these men, and what steps
have been taken, if any, toward re
turning them to their native country.
ALL GERMAN SHIPS IN
NEW YORK DISABLED
NEW YORK. Peb. 14.—It is stated
that all of the thirty-one German and
Austrian ships In this port have been
so badly disabled by their crews that
It will take six or eight months to
make them ready for sea again. Fig
ures made public show that 4,000
members of the crews have vanished.
There were 5,400 officers and men
aboard the vessels at the outbreak of
the war.
Village Wrecked
PLYMOUTH, Eng., Peb. 14—The
Devonshire fishing village of Halls
Sands was struck by a furious gale
today and all the buildings in the
town except two were destroyed.
There was no loss of life.
C. M. Blaine, the popular freight
clerk of the Mariposa, received word
while in Seattle just before sailed
north that his brother, Jack Blaine,
who had just been at the front “some
where in Prance," had been shot in
the arm and permanently disabled,
and that he had been invalided home.
REVOLT MS “
FLASHES (KTIR IX PROVINCES
Rumored Tliat Former President Go
mez Has Landed at Camaituey and
Is Fomentlnu Revolution—Ended
States Offers Arms,
•
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Feb. 14.—
A revolution has broken out in Cuba
ancl a number of clashes have occur
red in the provinces between the gov
ernment troops and the rebels. Presi
dent Menocal has called for volun
teers and is preparing to adopt strin
gent measures to put down the revo
lution. It is rumored that former
President Gomez has landed at Cam
aguey and is fomenting revolt. The
| United States government has offer
ed to President Menocal the loan of
5,000 rifles and five million rounds
of ammunition for the same.
I
'l.ondou Ke|M>rt Says Turks Surround
1
cd—Gerniati'* Repulsed South o'
Sere—Turks Report Rritish Cost
.
Heavily—Fighting in Rumania.
LONDO-T. Feb. 14. —Advices re
ceived from the Mesopotamia front
state that the British forces have ad
vanced two thousand yards along the
right bank of the Tigris and have
surrounded a large body of the Turk
ish troops.
Germans Repulsed.
LONDON. Feb. 14.—A war olhce
lulletin states that the Germans at
tempted to advance on the northern .
front in France, south of Serre. but
weer repulsed. East of Souches the
British advanced several hundred
yards, penerating the German lines.
Turks Say Small Gains.
BERLIN. Feb. 14.—Advices receiv
ed here from Turkey state that the
British advance alohg the Tigris was
accomplished only by extremely heavy
losses on the part of the attackers,
and that the gain made was insignifi
cant. /
Teutons Take Position.
BERLIN, Feb. 14.—The Teutons
have resumed the offensive along the
Cerna river, northeast of Monastir. In
northern Rumania the Teutons have
captured a strong position from the
Russians and Rumanians.
COSTA RICANS REBEL;
PRESIDENT IS OUSTED
SAN JOSE. Costa Rica, Feb. 14.—
President of Costa Rica, Alfred Gon
zales was deposed from office by mili
tary forces of the capital and sup
ported by .a great number of citizens
Saturday, the administrative power
was conferred on Minister of War
Frederico Tinoco. as provisional
executive.
The movement was enthusiastically
carried out and perfect order pre
tailed.
President Gonzales took refuge iu
the American legation.
LLOYD’S REPORTS SHIPS
WERE SUNK YESTERDAY
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 14.—
Advices received here today states
that Lloyd’s of London reports four
ressels sunk yesterday as the result
jf the German submarine campaign,
rhe sunken vessels aggregated 14,000
tons.
Rev. Father Crimont was a pas
senger from Seattle to Juneau on the
Mariposa.
Capt. Kopatz, who will take a posi
tion as first officer on the Dora, was
a passenger for Seward on the Mari
posa.