Iditarod Pioneer
one~doi.lar per month IDTrAROoTALASKaTsATURDAV MORNING. MARCH 31. 1917 25 cents per copy
PREPARATIONS FDR WAR
EVERYWHERE APPARENT
WASHINGTON, March 26.—President Wilson has
taken steps to place the nation upon a war footing.
By executive order he has directed that the navy be
recruited without delay to its full authorized war
strength of 87,000. For the army the President has
directed that two military departments be created on
the Atlantic coas. Eleven infantry regiments, two
separate battalions and one separate company of
the National Guard have been called back into the
federal service to act as national police in important
districts.
The President has authorized Secretary Daniels to
use the $1 15,000,000 which was authorized by the
emergency appropriation bill to speed up the naval
program. In addition to the Enited States naval
yard work, 200 torpedo boats and submarine chas
ers have been ordered from private firms.
It has been officially state that the navy depart- j
ment will soon commandeer certain munitions fac-;
tories for refusing to meet the desires of the govern
ment in relatino to the “speeding-up” program.
Their names will probably be published to show the
world their lac kof patriotism.
COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE AE i s
Contracts for supplies for an army of half a million men were J
drawn up Saturday afternoon by the council for national defense, ,
at one of the most important meetings held since its creation.
The contracts will be awarded the moment war is declared, and
within an hour of their award delivery will be under way.
SPIES AND ENEMY ALIENS
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Exhaustive plans to protect the j
danger spots in the United States are being hurriedly worked out j
and applied. Lists of spies and suspects have been completed by j
the secret service men, and these persons will be interned immedi- J
ately upon the outbreak of war. Plans are about completed to |
place about half a million of them at. work on irrigation and |
reclamation projects in the West. Germans in this city have been
secretly searched.
Contracts have been awarded for the construction of twenty
four destroyers at 10 per cent above cost.
German press associations announce that war will be declared
by Germany upon the first shot being fired by armed American
ships.
A statement authorized by Josephus Daniels, secretary of the
navy, is as follows: “The President last night signed an executive
order directing that the authorized enlistment strength of the
navy be increased to 87.000. He was authorized by congress to
direct such increase in enlistment. New ships and ships in reserve
arc being fully commissioned as rapidly as possible, and the need j
is imperative for a larger enlistment to man them. There has j
been a net increase of more than 6,500 since congress recently au- i
thorized an increase, but many more are needed, and needed now. !
WIZARD IS WORKING "SOMEWHERE ALONG COAST" ,
NEW YORK. March 27.- Thomas A. Edison has been working
eighteen hours daily for the last four weeks upon plans for naval
defense, and has submitted fourteen reports, which are termed j
“vitally important.” to heads of committees. A great laboratory (
has been established “somewhere along the coast.”
CALLING OUT THE MILITIA
WASHINGTON, March 28.—National Guard regiments called j
to the colors today were the First West Virginia, Seventy-fourth j
New York infantry, Second Connecticut infantry and the Second i
New Jersey infantry. Fifteen thousand men have been added to j
the force available for federal police duty by a war order sus- j
(tending the mustering out of the guard which has been on the
Mexican border. A force of 45.000 men is now available for the |
protection of industries.
PAN FRANCISCO, March 26.—Orders have been issued tor |
the immediate mobilization of National Guard regiments in Cali
fornia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
SEATTLE, March 26—The Second regiment, Washington Na- j
tional Guard, has been celled into service, and all units of the j
regiment will assemble at American Lake on Saturday next.
BOSTON, March 24—Two regiments of militia have been j
called out to guard the Fore River shipbuilding works and other j
plants. The order was issued following a conference today be- j
tween Secretary of WTar Baker and Governor McCall.
PRINCETON, March 26.—President Hibbet has announced
that in the event of war military training at Princeton University
will take precedence over all academical work.
THE INDUSTRIAL MOBILIZATION
WASHINGTON, March 29.—Secretary of Labor Wilson and
Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor,
have perfected plans for the mobilization of organized labor
throughout the country in the event of war.
SEATTLE, March 27—The National Shipbuilding Company
of Seattle, at the request of the navy, today submitted bids for
the construction of a hundred wooden-hull submarines. The first
ten are to be delivered within two months.
An Alaska mining man, backed by Seattle capital, has optioned
700 acres of land near here, upon which will be erected a gigantic
steel plant, primarily to be used in the manufacture of munitions
and for construction for the army and navy.
WASHINGTON, March 28.—President Downman of the Na
tional Lumber Manufacturers’ Association told the federal ship
ping board today that the lumber industry of Alaska will do any
thing in its power to help the government.
-♦
BILL INCREASING NUMBER OF HOLIDAYS
IS FIRST MEASURE TO BECOME A LAW
JUNEAU, March 30.—The first measure acted upon by the
present session of the territorial legislature to become a law will
be the act providing for legal holidays. It is a senate measure,
and providing amendments adopted by the house are concurred in
by the senate the measure will be signed by the governor at a
public reception at the executive mansion tonight. The only
change from the old law is the addition of Seward’s and Lincoln’s
birthdays to the list of legal holidays.
The’ house has passed a memorial asking the passage of the
road appropriation bill by congress.
Benson has introduced a bill on the subject of mine inspection,
which re-enacts the old bill with amendments providing for first
aid at all mines and provisions for the care of the miners. It also
prohibits the use of gas engines and blacksmith shops underground.
Senator Sutherland has introduced a bill for the establishment
of juvenile c-ourt6 and the care of dependent children.
TERRIBLE HAVOC BY CYCLONE
NEW ALBANY, 1ml., March 24. A cy
clone which caused wreck and destruction
in this city and near-by settlements was
responsible for the death of nine persons,
the injury of one hundred more, and a
property loss estimated at two millions of
dollars.
-♦—
WHAT TAFT SAYS
LITTLE ROCK. Ark.. March 27. For
mer President Taft predicts that the entry
of the United States into the war on the
side of the allies will end the fighting wdthin
a year.
MAYOR HIRAM GILL
ON WITNESS STAND
Chief Defendant Says Statements
of Government’s Witnesses Are
“Falser Than Heil”
’ • • t a
SEATTLE, March 24.- In the Gill con
spiracy trial today Eddie Metzdorff. a
waiter, testified that Assistant Chief of De
tectives W. B. Kent, through Watson H.
Smith, had paid him $100 to give testimony
'hat the Billingsleys had told him they were
“framing up” on Gill.
Metzdorff's story, if true, reveals that the
police department is being used in an amaz
ing manner to aid the defense. Metzdorff,
who is an ex-convict, now on parole, said
that the detectives threatened to return him
to the penitentiary in case he did not swear
to what he termed a pack of lies. “That’s
the man,” Metzdorff said when Kent was
shown up for identification.
Kent, who testified later, denied paying
his accuser money, or asking him to “noise
the bribery about town.”
Charges and Countercharges
SEATTLE, March 27. Metzdorff again
stuck to his story today, in spite of a severe
“third degree" cross-examination. The Gill
trial is now completely muddled by charges
and counter-charges of perjury and intimi
dation.
A severe grilling was given many of the
witnesses today. Chief of Police Becking- '
ham was asked by the district attorney
again end again to explain why. after hav
ing earlier in the month declared that he j
was going to run the Billingsleys out of the ]
city, had never even arrested them after 1
August 30, although they had brought in
liquor by the carload.
Gill on the Stand
SEATTLE, March 28.- -Mayor Gill took I
the witness stand late yesterday afternoon,
ijeing questioned by Attorney I ulton about
his early life in Wisconsin.
The government introduced in evidence |
a note for $5,000 executed by Gill in favor j
of the late Jacob Forth, president of the !
Seattle Electric Company.
Today Gill was again on the stand, and ■
he accused John Evans, the recently-de- ,
parted newspaper man. and his employer, 1
Blethen of the Times, with instigating the 1
rumors which resulted in his indictment .
What started the investigation was the re
port that he had accepted a bribe from
Logan Billingsley, which the accusing wit
ness termed “falser than hell ever thought
of being.” The mayor said he was in
formed of the charge by Dr. Matthews, “and j
Dr. Matthews,” added the mayor, “told me .
he got his information from Evans.” and
he had asked Evans to show his proof.
Evans had said he must get the evidence
from Blethen, and would be back the next
day. He never returned.
Will Sue the Times
SEATTLE. March 29— Mayor Gill an
nounces that he will sue the Times for
$50,000 damages. The Gill case will not
reach the jury until tomorrow.
Joe Warren, formerly chief of police at
Nome, Alaska, has been acting as body
guard for Logan Billingsley during the
progress of the trial, under appointment by
the government.
ASIA AND NORTH AMERICA
WERE ONCE CONTIGUOUS
NEW YORK, March 26 —A new type of
mastodon skeleton was recently unearthed
in northern Texas. It is claimed to have
been a descendant of the European masto
dons, which is regarded as another evidence
that there once existed an Alaskan land
bridge over which animals of prehistoric
ages passed from Asia to North America.
SENATOR CUMMINS COLLAPSES
NEW YORK, March 24.—While making
a speech in defense of the recent filibuster
ing tactics used in opposition to granting of
increased presidential authority, Senator
Cummins of Iowa collapsed and was re
moved to a hospital. His condition is be
'ing kept secret from the public.
CARRANZA ALSO PREPARES
SAN FRANCISCO, March 26.—Carranza
Is buying military supplies in Japan, accord
ing to the Japanese Advertiser.
*
PROBLEM OF INTERNMENT
OF TEUTONIC SUBJECTS
IS RECEIVING ATTENTION
WASHINGTON, March 26. Secretary of
War Baker and Secretary of the Interior
Lane are endeavoring to devise a plan to
/employ interned German subjects, thou
sands of whom, it is likely, will be arrested
the moment war breaks out. They may be
put to work on government irrigation
projects and paid the wages of soldiers.
Intractable Germans Imprisoned
ATLANTA, Ga., March 28.— Seven hun
dred and fifty Germans, headed by Captain
Theirfeldt, have been brought here from
Philadelphia and placed in the fort stockade.
They announced that they were military
men, and the captain said they would make
no pledges as to conduct.
Escape to Mexico
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, March 27. Two
of the interned German seamen who escaped
from Philadelphia have crossed the Rio
Grande below here and are now safe in
Mexico.
Attack Government Arsenal
WATERTOWN. N. V., March 27. Two
men who burrowed under the fence anil
secured entrance to the government arsenal
here were greeted with a fusillade of lead
and fled.
-♦
CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION
ISSUED TO CHARLES SULZER
JUNEAU, March 24.—The territorial can
vassing board was called in session at 10
o’clock today to consider the writ of man
damus issued by Judge Jennings, directing
that a certificate of election be issued to
Charles A. Sulzer as delegate in congress.
After considering the matter for half an
hour the certificate was issued in accord
ance with the order, Mr. Sulzer having re
ceived “the highest number of legal votes
cast” at the election.
Starts for Washington
SEATTLE, March 30. Delegate Charles
K. Sulzer of Alaska, on his way to the i
national capital, said that with the nation
on the brink of war, Alaska stands ready to i
do her share with men and money.
GERMAN RAIDER IN PACIFIC
SINKS JAPANESE WAR VESSEL
VANCOUVER. B. C\. March 30. A dis
patch to the Canadian News from Tokio
says that a German raider has sunk a Jap
anese warship in the Pacific. The name
of the vessel was not disclosed.
Had Destroyed Other Vessels
TOKIO, March 29. Two weeks ago a '
convened German cruiser was sighted in
the Indian ocean and was being tracked
by Japanese and British warships, after ,
the raider had sunk a Japanese freight ship, j
Prior to that two British steamships were
destroyed by an armed merchantman off 1
Colombo, Ceylon.
-♦
TO RECONSTRUCT CABINET
PARIS. March 34. Premier Briand and
his entire cabinet have resigned in order
to permit the president to form a new i
cabinet and be enabled “to exercise com- ,
plete liberty to interpret the situation in
the best interests of the national defense.”
--♦
ALASKA COPPER CONCERN
GOBBLING UP UTAH MINES
NEW YORK. March 28.- Recent pur
chases by the Kennecott Copper Corporation :
of heavy blocks of stock in the Utah Cop
per Company indicate an attempt by the
former to get control of the Utah concern.
—-♦-1
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Congress
man Randall, Prohibitionist, and one of
the five men who hold the balance of power
in the lower house of congress, today de
clared that a proposition made by James
R. Mann, the Republican leader, for the
organization of the house, had come too late.
The Democrats already had the speakership
“cinched,” he said.
How They Stand
A Washington dispatch of March 2 said
that death may have something to say re
garding the political complexion of the next
house of representatives. The death of
Michael F. Conroy, representing the Six
teenth New York district, has diminished
the ranks of the Democratic members, leav
ing them but 214 as against 215 Repub
licans and 5 independents. Unless a special
election is called there will be no successor
to Congressman Conroy until November,
and in the coming extraordinary session thf
Democrats will have a numerical strength
of but 214.
-♦
Two well-known Iditarod miners George
Nelmeyer and Emil Smith—arrived in town
last Tuesday from Fortuna Ledge. Mr. Nel
meyer will return to that camp after a few
days, where he and his partner, Mr. Nelson,
have a good mining proposition. Mr. Smith,
who was foreman for “Red” Ellis on Otter
creek, will probably remain in these diggings
during the coming mining season.
SEATTLE EMBEZZLER TAKEN
VANCOUVER, B. C., March 26.- George
Lindsey Hayden, wanted for embezzlement
of funds from the first National Bank of
Seattle, was arrested here today. Eighteen
thousand dollars was recovered from his
cache. The fugitive had just enlisted for
the European war.
—♦
DANGER OF STRIKE PASSED
NEW YORK, March 24. Urgent repre
sen tat ions from President Wilson have
caused the railroad strike negotiations to
be postponed, and it is generally believed
that a strike has been permanently averted.
SPIRIT OF REVOLT
AWAKES IN EUROPE
Conflicting Stories About Russian
Conditions—Unrest in Germany
and Spain Is Evident
Favor a Republic
LONDON, March 24.—The central com
mittee and parliamentary representatives of
the Constitutional party in Petrograd voted
today in favor of a republican form of gov
ernment for Russia.
Attitude of the Grand Duke
PETROGRAD, March 24. It is reported
that when the throne was offered to the
Grand Duke Nicholas he refused it unless
a majority of the people should vote for
his election.
Order has been almost entirely restored.
Food supplies were seized and distributed
by the new government. Fair trials will
'be accorded to former officials who have
been accused of treason. The duma is tem
porarily in full control. The revolution
which overthrew an absolute monarchy
which had endured for three hundred years
was accomplished in three days.
General Alexis Removed
PETROGRAD, March 20.—General
Alexis, commander of the Russian army on
the central front, has been replaced by
General Letchitzky.
Disquieting News
COPENHAGEN, March 27. Information
received from private and diplomatic
sources seems to indicate a wide breach be
tween the new Russian government and
the common people. The workers are clam
oring for bread, and have sent some of
their leaders to the front to attempt to
incite revolt among ihe troops. The people
are making radical demands on the new
government.
Finland is stated to be in a state of an
archy. The Socialists are very active, and
are clamoring for peace without indemni
ties, which they believe will free and unite
European countries.
Indications point to a Socialistic revol!
throughout Europe.
The Grand Duke Nicholas, who is the
strongest man in Russia, has been dismissed
as head of the army on account of being
a member of the czar’s family.
A General Abdication
PETROGRAD, March 27. The grand
dukes and royal princes, in a joint telegram
to the provisional government today, form
ally associated themselves with the abdica
tion of the Grand Duke Michael, also turn
ing over to the new government their offi
cial wealth.
Endeavor to incite Teutons
PETROGRAD. March 29. Mass meet
ings of workmen, soldiers and deputies have
issued appeals intended to incite Germany
and Austria to rise against imperial author
ity and establish their freedom.
Recognized by China
PEKIN, March 29.—China has recognized
the new Russian government.
SERIOUS TROUBLE IN SPAIN
WASHINGTON, March 30. A revolu
tionary movement which resulted in calling
'a general strike is directly responsible for
the suspension by Spain of the constitu
tional guaranties, according to an official
dispatch received today by Ambassador
Riano from Madrid.
The Madrid Report
MADRID, March 30.—The constitutional
guaranties in all provinces of the kingdom
have been suspended because of internal
disorders and widespread strikes.
MURMURS IN GERMANY
AMSTERDAM, March 30.—Chancellor
Bethmann-Hollwegg, in his address to the
reichstag today, referring to domestic af
fairs, said the day’s speeches had not con
vinced him that the reform of the Prussian
franchise could begin now. It would be a
very serious matter to decide such a ques
tion while millions of men were in the
trenches, he said.
LIFE SENTENCE FOR MURDER
OLYMPIA, Wash., March 24.—John Van
derver was given a life sentence today for
the murder of Industrial Insurance Com
faissioner Olsen.
CONGRESS WILL DECLARE
STATE OF WAR EXISTS
WASHINGTON, March 28.—Pressure to have th •
United Stales declare war on Germany, coming from
certain influential political sources, will be resisted
in administration circles. A canvass of the leadin'.;
members of the senate and house foreign affairs com
mittees today indicated that no sympathy with such
a move was apparent at present.
The house foreign relations committee is prepar
ng a resolution to be introduced immediately after
the President has concluded his address to the join
session of congress at the extraordinary session,
which declares that the time has come when tin
; United States must vindicate decisively its honor and
its rights, and will declare that by her acts a state
of war exists with Germany, and that congress places
at the disposal of the President the means of prose
| cuting war, thereby hastening peace.
The President conferred at length today wit'
Senator Hitchcock of the senate foreign relation
committee regarding his forthcoming message.
WASHINGTON, March 30.—The President ha;
completed an outline of his address to congress.
GERMAN CHANCELLOR ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT BLAME
BERLIN, March 30. —In an address to the reichstag today
Chancellor Von Bethmann-Hollweg asserted that Germany never
had the slightest intention of attacking the United States, and
never desired and does not now desire war against the Unite'
States. He said that if the United States considered the unre
I stricted submarine warfare which Germany is now employing fm
I her defense warrants a declaration of war, Germany would not
bear the responsibility for the increased bloodshed.
EFFECTS NO CHANGE IN SITUATION
WASHINGTON, March 30. The official view is that the
speech of the German chancellor has not changed the situation.
POSITION GERMANY WILL TAKE
WASHINGTON, March 27. Berlin is said to have decided
that in the event that the United States congress declares that a
state of war exists, Germany will take the position that she is not
aware of the fact.
BRYAN'S WONDERFUL PLAN
MIAMI, Fla., March 29. W. J. Bryan today addressed appeals
to the senate and house of representatives, urging that an attempt
be made to obtain a suspension of the German submarine cam
paign through application of the so-called ‘ Bryan peace plan.
DANGER TO AMERICA IN UNBEATEN GERMANY
NEW YORK, March 28. Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fisk. U.
S. N., retired, in an address here today, which he said had the
approval of Secretary of the Navy Daniels, declarer! that "if Ger
many is beaten our whole danger will pass away for the present;
but the chances seem not more than even that she will be
beaten.”
GERMANY HAS DELIBERATELY FORCED WAR
WASHINGTON, March 24.—The semi-officirl view of the Ger
man-American situation is that the ruthless sinking of three Amer
ican freighters by German submarines, with the loss of twenty
four American lives, leaves no doubt that Germany has deliber
ately forced the United States into the war.
It is feared that Captain Borum of the City of Memphis and
nine members of his crew are being held prisoners on board a sub
marine. The captain’s boat was found with indications of hasty
abandonment. His papers were found in a biscuit can.
ARMED LINER WAS NOT MOLESTED
WASHINGTON, March 26. —1The American liner St Louis, the
first armed American ship to cross the Atlantic, has arrived safely
at her destination, according to an announcement by Secretary
Daniels.
-—♦
ALLIED FORCES CONTINUE TO ADVANCE
AND HEAVY CASUALTIES ARE REPORTED
LONDON. March 30.—The British forces in France have oc
cupied village?: east of \pres and north of Lilie, according to an
official communication. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the
Germans.
BERLIN. March 30. The Canadian troops made four attack
last night on the German positions east of Neuville St. \ aast. the
war office announced today. These were repulsed with heavy
losses. The further withdrawal of German troops on the Peronne
road is announced.
Progress of Fighting on Western rront
BERLIN, March 26.—German rear guards engaged with hos
tile forces near Beaumetz and east of the Crozat canal, in northern
France, have fallen back according to orders, after inflicting losses,
it was announced today.
PARIS, March 26.—Further progress is being made by the
French toward St. Quentin from north of Grand Seraucourt.
AMSTERDAM, March 27.—The entente forces continue to ad
vance against Hindenberg’s line. As a result of this strong re
sumption of the offensive Hindenberg is closing on Leferte, which
is the key to the situation. The French have captured two ad
vanced forts and occupy four miles of the bank of the River Oise.
This city is being inundated by Germans. General Haig reports
his occupation of Roisfele, only five miles distant from the posi
tion which Hindenberg has had in preparation for months as his
final stand.
PARIS, March 28.—All the lower forest of Coucy has fallen
into the hands of the French, together with the villages of Petit
Gartris, Verfaila and Coucy, according to an official statement.
BERLIN, March 29.—The French effort to recapture the posi
tions recently taken from them in the Champaigne region have
been futile, army headquarters announced today.
Germans Planning Big Movement on East Front
PETROGRAD, March 28.—Extraordinary efforts are being
made throughout Russia to meet the impending German drive.
There is indisputable evidence that the Germans are massing
great numbers of troops along the northern front, ready for an
effort against the Russian capital.
British Victory in Palestine
LONDON, March 29.—The British army in Palestine has de
feated a Turkish army of 20.000 men. Nine hundred men were
captured, including the entire divisional staff of the Fifty-third
Turkish division.
War News Notes
BERLIN, March 24— An attack on London, lasting an hour
and a half, is announced. Bombs were successfully dropped.
PARIS, March 24.—Military experts have written French offi
cials stating their belief that the German retirement conceals some
studied design.
BERLIN, March 26.—The sinking of twenty-five more ships,
together with four sailing vessels and thirty-seven trawlers, with
a tonnage of 80,000. within the last few days, is announced by the
| admiralty.