VOLUME XIV. VALDEZ, ALASKA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1016 NUMBER 6«
AMERICAN SOLDIERS CROSS
THE RORDER INTO MEXICO
_ I
.
*^FIVK THOUSAND SOLDIERS START ACROSS BORDER LAST NIGHT
IN PURSUIT OP GENERAL VILLA AND SECOND EXPEDITION TO
LEAVE SHORTLY—MEXICANS SEEK TO CAPTURE BANDIT BE
TORE CLASH OCCURS BETWEEN ARMIES OP TWO COUNTRIES—
ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES INTENTION OP PROSECUTING
SEARCH FOR VILLA UNTIL HE IS EITHER KILLED OR CAP
TURED AND BAND DISPERSED—LARGE ARMY MOBILIZING.
EL PASO, March 15.—It Is re
ported here, and the story Is believed
to be authentic, that United States
troops crossed the border Into Mex
ico last night in pursuit of Villa.
Official information on this pOint,
however, is denied, a strict censor
ship of all military movements pre
vailing at all points along the bor
der. No doubt prevails that the first
expedition has started, as the camps
for the past two days have been the
scene of greatest activity as hurried
‘ preparations were made for the de
parture of the troops. It is expected
that the second expedition will get
away tonight.
SAN ANTONIO, March 16.—It has
been semi-offlcially made known here
that the first expedition of American
troops, numbering five thousand men,
crossed the border into Mexico in
pursuit of General Villa and his fol
lowers last night. It Is expected that
a second expedition will get away
within a few hours.
Troops are continuing to arrive
from the north, and from the num
ber already here it is evident that the
government will be prepared to han
dle any situation which may arise.
Immense stores of supplies and mu
nitions are arriving daily on special
trains, which have been given the
right of way over all other trains to
insure the quickest possible delivery
at the various camps.
Mexicans Pursue Villa
EL PASO, March 15.—Genera!
Obregon, commander of a detach
ment of Carranza troops, is reported
to be hurrying to Juarez, and will at
tempt to capture Villa before the
United States troops have had an op
portunity to engage with the outlaw,
and thus prevent a fight between the
Mexicans and the American troops.
The Carranza government is fear
ful that if any clash occurs between
tbe Mexicans and the Americans it
maj precipitate a crisis which will
briogwtoout a struggle which may be
long and bloody. The feeling in Mex
ico against the Americans is very
bitter.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 15—
From advices received here last night
it Is'believed'in Official circles that
Carranza is making a supreme effort
to capture Villa and his followers be
fore the United States expedition
crosses the border. It is certain that
Carranza fears personal violence in
' the event of the United States troops
entering upon Mexican soil, unless
Carranza himself places troops to pre
vent the invasion, as hatred of all
things American is the prevailing
sentiment throughout Mexico.
Large bodies of Mexican troops are
being massed throughout the country
ljhere Villa has been roaming of late,
and this is believed here to indicate
that Carranza will make a desperate
effort to capture the outlaw and his
band immediately.
Mexican Troops Mobilizing.
EL PASO, March 15.—Large bod
ies of Mexican Federal troops are ar
riving at points along the border, and
l it is given out by the commanders
that the troops have been sent there
to capture or kill Villa and his band
•f outlaws. There Is a persistent ru
mor here, however, that many believe
Is derived from Mexican sources, that
jpresident Carranza is massing the
“Whoops along the frontier, and will
%se force to repel the United States
troops should they be sent across the
border and that If necessary he will
form a combination with Villa to fight
the United States.
Will Place Army on War Footing.
WASHINGTON. D. C., March 15—
The House last evening passed a res
olution authorizing the President to
increase the army to Its full war
strength. This wou'd mean the send
ing 9,000 additional men to the bor
der or a total of 27,000. It is antici
pated that the Senate will pass a sim
ilar resolution.
Senator Chamberlain or Oregon,
who has been pushing the prepared
ness legislation In the Senate, sayi
that the senate committee will meet
in the morning to consider ways and
means for rushing through the ad-;
ministration plans for preparedness!’
He intimates that the Mexican situa
tion is by no means such a trifling
affair as many are prone to believe,
and may result in a declaration of
war between the two countries. How
ever, he says, the government is de
termined to put an end to the depre
dations by Mexican bandits along the
border, regardless of the coBt, and if
it becomes necessary for this coun
try to declare war on Mexico to carry
out this program then war there will
be. It is believed, however, almost
impossible that Carranza will put any
opposition in the way of the United
States troops when they attempt to
capture Villa on Mexican soil.
Says Villa Is Cornered.
EL PASO, March 15.—A Carranza
general from a detachment of the
Mexican troops just across the line,
wa3 in this city last night. He said
that the Mexican government troops
had Villa and his baud cornered In
the Galena district, and that the out
law would be captured before the
American troops could enter Mexico.
He asserted that President Carranza
was putting forth every possible ef
fort to capture Villa and thus pre
vent the necessity of the United
States troops entering Mexico, as
such an act might lead to much trou
ble for the newly formed Mexican ad
ministration.
Believed Carrnnzaists Will Join Villa
COLUMBUS, N. M„ March 15.—It
is becoming more and more appar
ent that the Carranza troops on the
Mexican side of the border near are
to be of no use in the capture of Vil
la. The outlaw is gaining followers
every hour, a large number of the sol
diers deserting and enlisting with the
outlaw leader. Even the officers, it
is believed, are secretly in sympathy
with him, and in the event the United
States troops cross the border, if is
not unlikely that officers and soldiers
alike would join Villa in repelling the
attack.
Administration Rushing Preparations
WASHINGTON, March 16.—Offi
cials of the war department are
working night and day making prep-;
arations for the movements of troops
into Mexico for the purpose of cap
turing and killing Villa. While se
crecy is the order of the day in mili
tary post in the country to have the
men in readiness for an immediate
start in case of necessity. It is also
known that rush orders for very
large amounts of provisions, ammu
nition and supplies have been placed
for immediate shipment to points
along the border. This would seem
to indicate that in military circles at
least, that there is believed to exist a
possibility of a more extended cam
paign that the pursuit of Villa would
necessitate. It is argued about the
Capitol that Carranza is too deeply
in debt to {he United States for the
position he now holds to make more
than a mere formal protest against
the invasion of his country, but on
the other hand it Is said that hiB fear
for his own safety at tbe bands of hfs
people if he doeB not make an armed
resistance if the American troops are
sent across the border, may stir him
up to almost an action to protect hind
self.
Tries to Inflame Mexicans.
EL PASO, March 15.—The police
seized an Inflammatory edition of a
Mexican newspaper here last night,
and took the editor into custody. In
the columns of the paper the Mexi
cans wero urged to rise and prevent
the invasion of their country, and Vll
(Continued on Page Three.)
J.
GERMANY MAKE
FULL REPARATION
NORWAY’S PROTEST EFFECTIVE
Teutons Intimate Norwegian Vessel
Struck a Floating Mine and Asks
for Proof that Bark was Torpedoed
by a German Submarine.
WASHINGTON. D. C., March 16.—
It is reported la officials circles that
in answer to the protest of the Nor
wegian government, Germany will
make reparation to the owners of the
Norwegian bark which was snnk off
Havre last Saturday, if proof is pro
duced that the vessel was submarined
by a Teutonic vessel. The German
government has denied, however, all
official knowledge of the affair, and
Intimate th'ht the Vessel struck a float
ing mine.
The vessel carried four American
citizens In its crew, and according to
the stories told by the members of the
crew just after the sinking, the ves
sel was torpedoed by a submarine,
and without warning.
OSBORNE CLEARED
BY COURT ORDER
JURY IS ORDERED TO ACQUIT
\ ■
Charges Against Ex-Warden Prove to
Be of the Flimsiest Character and
Without any Foundation in Fact—
Was a Political Framo-Up.
WHITE PLAINS, N. Y„ Mar. IB—
The trial of ex-Warden Osborne of
Sing Sing prison on the charge of
perjury, which was commenced here
yesterday was brought to a sudden
close today. The charges against Mr.
Osborne proved to be of the flimsiest
character, and without hearing the
defense the judge instructed the jury
to bring in a verdict of acquittal.
This action was-not unexpected, as
it has been the general belief that the
charges against Osborne had been
trumped up by a gang of politicians
for no other reason than to secure his
removal from office because he had
Interfered with their grafting in con
nection with the prison.
BALLAINE WILL
RUN JIB SENATE
IS NOW IN WASHINGTON CITY
Will Return to Seattle and Start His
Campaign Early in April—Is Con
fident that He Will Have Support
of People of Entire State.
WASHINGTON, D. C.. March 16—
John E. Ballaine, of Seatle and Sew
ard, Alaska, who is now in this city,
has made the announcement that be
will be a candidate for United States
senator at the coming primaries in
the State of Washington. He will
open his campaign in Seattle in April
and expresses confidence that he will
be able to secure the nomination at
the hands of the people.
■ O’!*1 1
'<* V
Sam Knudsen Entertains.
Sam Knudsen, the popular wharf
inger at the Valdeidock gave a the
atre party last night to a few of his
immediate friends. The party con-*
slated of Messrs. Tony Carlson, Blan
chet and Mr. Knudsen.
Received by steamer Admiral Far
ragut, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Green Pep
pers and Cauliflower. Keystone Pro
duce Co. 2t
FOR SALE OR RENT—Houses and
cabins. Alaska Investment Company,
Reed building. tf
WILL TRY NEW
ROUTE TO POLE
'
TO FOLLOW JAPANESE CURRENT
Expedition to Start Next Sommer in
Command of Capt. Bernier, an Ex
perienced Navigator in the Waters
of the Arctic Region.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 16.—It
is reported that Captain Joseph E.
Bernier, a veteran of the sea, who
has charted more than 600,000 square
miles in the Arctic Seas for the Do
minion of Canada is completing his
plans for another Far North expedi
tion, which he will command early
next Summer. He will sail from Que
beo on the 166-ton vessel, the Guide,
a steamer with 100 horse-power, and
equipped with a sail auxiliary. Capt.
Bernier has a theory that a new route
may be found to the north pole and
that it leads through the open, mov
ing ice caused tn the north, by the
southerly Japan currents. This route
would lead, if followed, north of
Wrangell Island, but to the definite
distribution of land and water in the
Polar regions.
"I believe there is open water in
the Arctic this year as the old ice
has been moving for two or three
years and from the Polar basin prob
ably for about ten years. Open water
should prevail in Melville Straits,
Lancaster Sound, the lower part of
Smith Sound, and north of Baffin
Bay. The new ice, which a ship
would encounter up north is not diffi
cult to navigate. It is the old ice
which causes trouble.”
TICKET SUCCESTED
FOR CITYGOUNCIL
TICKET A REPRESENTATIVE ONE
Seven Names Picked to Go Before
Voters on Platform of Business and
No Nonsense—All Favor a Square
Deal and No Alliances.
For Town Council:
ED WOOD.
E. A. ERICKSON.
CHARLES CRAWFORD.
A. J. MEALS.
A. J. DIMOND.
ANTON CARLSON.
RUSSELL HERMANN.
This ticket is up to yon, voters of
Valdez. All but one or two of the
men named have agreed to run if
they can be assured of the support of
the majority of 'the taxpayers of the
town. They willrUn on a platform
calling for strict economy in public
expenditures. They will favor aboli
tion of unnecessary positions, if any
exist, and minimum salaries for of
fices with little work attached. Their
program will be to reduce the muni
cipal debt as rapidly as possible with
out crippling municipal administra
tion.
For the school board Mrs. H. B.
Selby has been urged to become a
"andidate by a large number of resi
dents with children in the schools.
I The suggestion of her name has met
with general approval and only her
own consent is required to put her in
the race.
Interest in the city election has
been aroused earlier than usual. Bus
iness men and taxpayers have been
discussing the meritB of possible can
didates for several weeks and the
~*even men named have survived the
process of elimination. Men who
would make good members of the
;city council because they know how
to run their own business took them
selves out of the list of possible can
didates because of their activity In
previous political contests.
It is the wish of business men and
property owners generally to have a
town council that will conduct city
affairs strictly as a business matter,
with no political buncombe mixed In.
The ticket named carries that assur
ance in its personnel.
Pntho Nows, rBay’s Cartoons. War
Nows, etc., at the Empress tonight.
VERDUN STILL OBJECT OF
TERRIFIC GERMAN ATTACK
BATTLE WHICH HAD SLACKENED OFF FOR PAST TWO DAYS IS
RENEWED WITH EVEN GREATER INTENSITY—GERMANS ARE
REINFORCED BY ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN AND USING
'EVERY AVAILABLE GUN TO BATTER FRENCH POSITION—EN
GLAND BECOMING ALARMED AT GERMAN AGGRESSION AND BE
LIEVE IS FORT IS TAKEN PARIS AND LONDON WILL BE ENDAN
GERED—GERMAN TACTIC8 AMAZE MILITARY MEN.
PARIS, March 15.—After a lull of
more than twenty-four hours the
German forces have again renewed
the attack along the curving fifty
mile front extending from Verdun to
the north. Terrific as was the fight
ing of last week, fraught with enor
mous losses, the present attack sur
passes it. An artillery fire more ter
rific than the world has ever known,
is being concentrated on the French
fortifications, every available gun
having been brought up by the Ger
mans in their attempt to reduce the
French defenses. In addition to the
artillery force more than 100,000
men have been brought up to rein
force the infantry in the final smash
against the French line.
Despite the terrific fire from the
guns and the onslaughts of the in
fantry, the French'line is holding
firm, returning the fire of the Ger
man artillery with telling effect,
while the machine guns and rifles of
the infantry in the trenches are mow
ing down the attackers in heaps be
fore the trenches. The dead lie in
windrows like grain before the mow
er, many deep, and the German losses
are appalling. Nor are the French
escaping from the deadly hail of shot
and shell. Every accommodation for
the care of the wounded is. taxed “tot
the utmost, and still the stream con
tinues to pour in from the firing line..
_
LONDON, March 15.—The Impor
tance to England of the battle now
raging around Verdun was empha
: sized by Major General Francis Lloyd,
General Officer commanding the Lon
don district, in an address at the
opening of the military building at
Wimbledon.
“In the great struggle which is now
going on,” said General Lloyd, “every
individual must give up self abso
lutely and unite in one bond to make
the struggle end in victory. Do you
realize that the terrific battle now
raging is for a passage to Paris? The
result will hang in the balance until
the Teutons are driven back, and I
have the utmost confidence they will
be.
“But if once our ally’s line is pierc
ed the way will be open to the French
capital and if that capital is reached
a new complexion will be put on the
whole face of the war and on our
lives and being. A German success
on the French front would not mere
ly mean the loss of Paris but would
endanger London."__
Important Move North Verdun.
BERLIN. March 15.—The war of
fice announces that an important
movement against the French -line la
developing west of the Meuse river,
north of Verdun.
Military Leaders Amazed.
LONDON. March 15.—Military ob
servers here are puzzled over the
overwhelming attacks of the Germans
on the French positions in the vicin
ity of Verdun. Why this practically
impregnable position should have
been chosen by the German comman
ders is incomprehensible on any reas
onable basis, and cannot be accounted'
for in any otiier manner than that
the Germans, in desperation, have
cast their lot. on one last throw and
have selected this point as the one
that would be calculated, in the
event of success, not only to yield
the maximum of military advantage,
but would also have a particularly de
pressing effect upon the French mor
ale.
That the contest about Verdun 1*
the supreme effort on the part of Ger
niany to break the French line is un
doubted, and if it results in failure
'will place Germany in a position to
no longer assume the offensive on n
scale of great magnitude along the
western front.
While the losses on noth sides have
been enormous, they are bound to be
much heavier on the German side,
where the initiative is than on the
other. It is estimated that the ratio
of losses is as five to three, and every
day of the battle means so mach
greater advantage for the allied
forces, and the nearer the end of the
war, unless, as seems impossible now,
this last and most terrific struggle
should result in the fall of Verdun
and the breaking of the French line
of defenses.
On the other hand, failure would
be most disastrous to the Germans, In
a moral if not in a military sense.
Why Germany, numerically weakbr
[than her opponents, should have cho
sen to assume the offensive when
the odds would be the highest and the
total cost heartbreaking, can only be
assigned to desperation. Already the
operations against Verdun have taken
a toll of human lives that Is appalliag
and must end within a few days, tor
no nation could stand such a loss tor
many days. _ '
MANITOBA PROHI8
VICTORS AT POI/tiS
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t -
WINNIPEG, March 15.—The pro
hibitionists have made enormous
gains throughout Manitoba during
the past few months, and in spite of
the most desperate fight waged by the
liquor interests carried the province
for Prohibition by a voto of two to
one. The act will become effective
at the end of the month.
PORTUGAL ENTERS WAR
AT REQUEST OF BRITAIN
WASHINGTON, March IB.—In an
interview here yesterday the .Portu
guese minister to the United States,;
Visconde de Aite, stated that Portu
gal had entered the European con
flict at the request of Groat Britain,
in fulfillment of the terras of a treaty
between the two countries made in
the fourteenth century.
Eagle Meeting Postponed.
There will be no meeting of the
Valdez Aerie of Eagles Friday night
owing to the dance to be given in
Moose ball that evening. The regu
lar meeting of the lodge has been
postponed until the following Friday
evening, when a full attendance of
the members is requested, as matters
of importance will come before the
meeting.
Picture-, .eveloped at llm Vs’dez
Drug Company. tt
NOTED LAWYERS
OPPOSE BRANDED!
—
IS RASED ON HIS PUI5LIC RECORD
_
Is Charged with Not Possessing tha
Impartiality of Judgment Essential
to Members of the Supreme Tribu
nal of the Country.
* • _
WASHINGTON. D. C., March 16—
Protests against the continuation of
Louis Brandels, as a Justice of the
supreme court of the United States*
were received today from Ex-Presi
dent Taft, Joseph ft. Choate, Eliha
Root and three other lawyers of nar
tional reputation.
In each Instance the opposition to
BrandeiB was based on bis record as
a prosecutor, which, it is alleged*
show him to be biased in his opinions .
and that he does not possess the im
partiality of judgment so essential in
a person occupying a seat upon Che
supreme bench of this couptry.
\.
ltcv. Maloney, who has hcon seri
ously ill the past few days. Is improv
ing and will soon be out again.