Iditarod Pioneer
- — IDITAROD ALASKA SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 7. 1917 25 cents per copy
ONE DOLLAR PER MONTH 1LH1AKUIA rtLrtOIVrt, _ _-— . . -- _
AUTOCRATIC GOVERNMENT
MENACE TO WORLD PEACE
WASHINGTON. April 2.—President Wilson delivered his mes
■ ago to the extraordinary session of congress tonight. He asked
congress to declare that a state of war existed between the United
States and Germany, and said that war with Germany would in
volve practical cooperation with the governments now at war
with Germany, including liberal financial credits. He urged the
raising of an army of 500.000 men and universal military service.
The president made it clear that he was not urging that action
be taken against tiie Austrian government and other nations allied
with Germany, lie said in part:
“I am not thinking now of the property loss, immense as
that is. but only of the wanton wholesale destruction of the
lives of non-combatants, men, women and children, engaged
in pursuits which have always, even in the darkest lieriods
of modern history, been deemed innocent and legal. Prop
erty can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people
cannot be. The present German submarine warfare against
commerce is a warfare against mankind.
In closing the President said that neutrality was no longer
feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved and
the freedom of its people. And a menace to that peace and free
dom lies in the existence of autocratic government, controlled
wholly by its own will and not by the will of the people, which
should be -checked by organized force.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, April 2. The blind chaplain opened ihe
house with prayer at noon, and organization was immediately pro
ceeded with. An independent congressman, in giving his vote for
Clark for speaker, said that patriotism demanded it in the present
crisis. Clark was elected speaker by the following vote: Clark,
217 : Mann, 205; Gillen, 2; Lenroot, 2.
Senate Measure Substituted
WASHINGTON. April 4. The house foreign affairs committee
today accepted the senate resolution in place of its own. and favor
ably reported the measure for passage.
Flood's Stirring Speech
WASHINGTON. April 5. -Chairman Flood of Die house com
mittee on foreign relations made the opening speech in support
of the Flood-Martin resolution today. He stirred the house when
he saiii that war was being made upon our country and its people,
our ships are being sunk, non-combatant citizens, including men,
women and children, are being foully murdered, i-nd our merchant
men are being denied the freedom of the seas. Under such cir
cumstances, he said, there was but one course for our government
to pursue, and that was to go to war in defense of its people and
its honor as a nation. There was no choice as to our course.
“The time for argument has passed/’ he said; “the tune for heroic
action is here. Our people wiil rally to the support of their gov
ernment in this grave hour, and meet the perils of war as a brave
and patriotic people should.”
Late tonight the house passed the Flood-Martin resolution by
a vote of 373 to ,«t)
IN THE SENATE
WASHINGTON, April 2.-—When the senate was called to or
der at noon today Senator Martin of the foreign affairs committee
announced that the house organization was expected to be per
fected by 3 o’clock, and that President Wilson would address the
«• joint session as soon as organization was completed. Leaders of
the senate wanted the President's message delivered this afternoon.
Steering Committee at Work
WASHINGTON, April 3.—The senate steering committee rle
■;-ided on a course of action this afternoon calculated to defeat the
“little group of willful men" who wished to block congressional
indorsement of the resolution recognizing a state of war as exist
ing with Germany. They decided to keep the senate, in continuous
session after it meets at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning until it acts
on the Flood-Martin resolution indorsing President Wilson’s course.
A “round robin’’ was circulated among the senators this after
noon, the signers pledging themselves to keep congress in continu
ous session.
Senator Chamberlain introduced his amended bill providing
for training 50,000 men of 20 years of age and, in the President’s
discretion, many thousands more up to 23 years of age. The bill
was referred to committee,
Lafollette Accomplishes Postponement
Senator Lafollette blocked the efforts to rush through the sen
ate the war resolution today. Hardly had the foreign relations
committee reported the Flood-Martin resolution, but slightly
changed and strengthened in full accordance with the suggestions
made by the -President last night, when Lafollette used his power
to put over for at least one day its consideration. Bo the senate
adjourned at 11 o’clock without having acted on the administra
tion’s resolution declaring that a state of war exists. Democratic
Floor Leader Martin refused to consent to any other business until
the measure to which Lafollette objected is passed.
Unanimous Action of Committee
The senate toreign relations comaimw ivuuy ^
ministration resolution declaring that a state of war exists with
Germany in practically the same form in which it was introduced
in both houses last night. Changes were made in the wording, but
the effect remains the same. The vote was unanimous except for
Stone and Borah, who were absent. Hitchcock, who will handle
the resolution on the floor, went immediately to the house foreign
relations committee to show the changes made by the senate com
mittee, in order to have the measure put before both houses in
the same form. He will report the resolution to the senate today
and an effort will be made to put it through before night.
Senator Lodge's Plan
WASHINGTON, April 4.—Senator Lodge, ranking Republican
member of the foreign relations committee, in supporting the war
resolution today, declared that the United States should seize the
German merchant ships now in American ports and use them to
replace the ships which have been sunk by German submarines.
Senator Lafollettc took the floor in opposition to the war reso
lution this afternoon.
Resolution Passes by Overwhelming Vote
WASHINGTON, April 5.—Lute last night the Flood-Martin
resolution passed the senate by a vote of 82 to 6. Those voting
against the resolution were Stone of Missouri, Lafollettc of Wis
consin, Norris of Nebraska, Lane of Oregon, Vardaman of Missis
sissippi and Gronna of North Dakota.
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INHUMAN ACT OF GERMAN SUBMARINE CREW
LONDON, April 5.—The Belgian steamship Trevier, from New
York, with Belgian relief supplies, was torpedoed without warning
on Wedneday. While the boats of the Trevier were being lowered
the submarine fired on them, wounding the captain, mate, engi
neer. denkeyman and cook
CONTINUE TO SINK AMERICAN VESSELS
I DESPITE GERMANY’S PACIFIC DECLARATIONS
WASHINGTON, March 5. The American steamship Mis
sourian, with thirty-three Americans aboard, has been sunk with
out wanting in the Mediterranean, according to a dispatch re
ceived at the state department today from the American consul
at Genoa.
Americans on Aztec Believed to Be Lost
WASHINGTON, April 3.—A cablegram from Ambassador
| Sharpe, at Paris, states that twenty-eight persons from the
j steamship Aztec, which was sunk without warning, are still miss
j ing, and are probably lost. A Inter dispatch from the ambassador
! stated that Captain O’Brien of the Aztec and Lieutenant Gorham,
| who commanded the guard of twelve bluejackets aboard the ves
sel, have arrived at Paris.
Many Americans Imperiled
WASHINGTON, March 31. The American consuls at Liver
pool and Queenstown report that a number of Americans are be
lieved to have been drowned and many imperiled in the sinking
of the British steamships Snowden Range and Crispin. The ves
sels were stripper! of detachable brass before being sunk.
-—-4
INTERNED GERMAN VESSELS ARE SEIZED
AND OFFICERS AND CREWS ARE HELD
NEW YORK, April 6. Germany’s interned merchant fleets,
estimated to be worth $71,100,000, were seized by the United
Stales government today. They number twenty pas-anger, freight
and sailing ships, among them the Vaterland, one of the biggest
and finest passenger liners in the world. The officers and crews,
to the number of three thousand, were taken to Ellis island for
internment.
Interned German vessels at Seattle, Boston, New London and
Baltimore were also seized this morning, the collectors of the port3
and federal marshals disposing of the crews.
SEATTLE, April 6.—The crews of interned German vessels
were brought to Seattle today and placed in the detention station.
VAR DECLARED0N6ERMAN KAISER
WASHINGTON, April 6.—President Wilson signed the declaration of war at 1:13 this afternoon.
The Flood-Martin resolution, which passed both houses of congress, was signed by Vice President Mar
shall at 12:14 p. m. The resolution is as follows:
“WHEREAS, The imperial German government has committed repeated acts of war against the gov
ernment and people of the United States; therefore be it
“RESOLVED, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States, in congress assembled,
That the state of war between the United States and the imperial German government which has been thrust
upon the United States be formally declared, and that the President be and he is hereby authorized to
employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and all the resources of this government
to carry on the war against the imperial German government to bring the conflict to a successful termina
tion. All the resources of the United States are hereby pledged by congress.
The potential resources being brought into the war by the United States are declared to exceed those
of any other nation in the history of the world. Though much remains to be done, officials believe the
nation’s destiny is secure now, no matter how prolonged may be the pressure ot German militarism and
intrigue. ____
NEW BILLS INTRODUCED
IN ALASKA LEGISLATURE
JUNEAU, April 6.— In the territorial
house of representatives Burns has intro
duced a bill amending the existing law re
lating to the practice of medicine, and pro
viding for examinations and regulation of
the medical profession.
McCormick has introduced a memorial
asking that estimates be called for for a
quarantine station in Southeastern Alaska
waters.
The senate this morning discussed the
;erritorial pension system for pioneer men
and women. An amendment introduced by
Heckman and Aldrich makes the age limit
thirty years and gives indigent pioneers
?25 monthly.
A bill providing for a uniform school
system for the territory was presented in
the senate by Aldrich.
A bill creating a militia and national
guard was laid on the table.
—--4
ALASKA’S TRIALS ARE OVER
SAYS SECRETARY OF INTERIOR
WASHINGTON, March 31. Alaska’s
fiftieth anniversary was signalized by Sec
retary Lane with a statement in which he
said that Alaska’s period of trial was over.
She had been weighed in the balance and
found sufficiently worthy.
-. -4
ALASKA’S NEW DELEGATES
TAKES OATH OF OFFICE
WASHINGTON, April 4.—Charles A.
Sulzer, delegate in congress from Alaska,
took the oath of office in the house today.
He was escorted to the epeaker’s table to
take the oath by Representative Raker of
California.
Former Delegate Wickershain is awaiting
the arrival of the papers from Alaska before
beginning his contest for Sulzer’s seat.
VICTIMS OF AUTOCRACY
ON WAY TO NEW FREEDOM
NOUMEN, Siberia, April 4—Fifty thou
sand sledges, carrying victims of the old
regime back to freedom in the new Russia
from the mines and convict settlements of
Siberia, are speeding in an endless chain
across the snows of northern Asia toward
the nearet points on the Trans-Siberian rail
way.
CONGRESSWOMAN RANKIN
VOTED WITH PACIFISTS
WASHINGTON, April 6.—Miss Jeanette
Rankin, member of the lower house of
congress from Montana, was among those
who voted against the Flood-Martin resolu
tion, saying: “I want to stand by my
country, but I cannot vote for war.”
CANDIDATES FOR IRON CROSS
BALTIMORE, April 4.—Amos Pauhls
was sentenced to the federal prison for
eighteen months today under the act which
makes it a crime to threaten the President.
LINCOLN, Neb., April 4.—Joseph Kloss,
a farm laborer, has been arrested and
charged with “cursing the President and the
United States government”
I GOVERNOR J. F. A. STRONG
FAILS OF INDORSEMENT
BY CENTRAL COMMITTEE
JUNEAU, April 6.— The Democratic ter
ritorial central committee in session here
last night voted not to indorse Governor
| Strong for reappointment. The same ac
tion was taken with reference to Surveyor
'General Davidson. For the governorship
the names of Judge Robert Jennings, Fklitor
John W. Troy, Griffin and Whittlesey will
j be submitted to the President, and for sur
j vevor general, Robert Sommers of Fairbanks
I was indorsed.
! -<
MATERIAL SUCCESS
CLAIMED BY BERLIN
I
French Forces Meet With Reverse
on Western Front—German
Raider at Work
LONDON. April fi.—Berlin claims that,
the Germans have inflicted a sanguinary
reverse on the F'rench north of Rheims,
taking eight hundred prisoners. Paris ad
mits that the Germans have entered their
trenches at certain points on a front a
mile and a half long. The latter were
driven out in certain places on the Somme.
German Positions Captured
PARIS, April 3.—A series of powerfully
organized attacks on points of support held
by large German forces eight miles in ex
tent have been captured by the French.
South of St. Quentin various villages and
heights have falien into the hands of the
rrencn.
South of Ainette the French have driven
the Germans beyond Vauxilton.
Closing In on St. Quentin
PARIS, April 5.—The French, are gradu
ally closing in on St. Quentin. The Ger
mans withdrew precipitately from three
miles of line trenches north of Fclle farm.
What We Are Fighting Against
NEW YORK, April 4.—One hundred and
ten persons, including two women and a
baby, are missing from the British steam
ships Tervose and Alynwick Castle. It is
stated that each was torpedoed without
warning by German submarines. Twenty
four survivors have arrived on the French
steamship Venza, which rescued them after
they had been adrift at sea for four days.
Raider Showed Norwegian Flag
RIO JANEIRO, March 31.—The French
fiteamship Cambinne has arrived here with
200 members of the crews of various steam
ships and sailing vessels sunk by a German
raider off the island of Trinidad. It is re
ported that many sailors from the sunken
vessels were drowned. They say the raider
showed the Norwegian flag, and when it
sighted a ship it signaled it to approach.
As soon as the ship obeyed the signal the
raider hoisted the German flag and opened
fire.
All Is Well on East Front
LONDON, April 4.—Members of the Rus
sian duma have been advised by Rodzianko,
the president of that body, that the advices
from the front leave nothing to be desired.
I ATTITUDE OF CARRANZA
MAY BE FACTOR IN WARFARE
j WASHINGTON, March 31.— As the hour,
I apparently inevitable, approaches for the
entry of the United States into the world
war, Mexico more than Germany engages
the attention of the war department.
Carranza has never disclaimed his interest
in Germany’s contemplated alliance with
Mexico. 'The state department’s specific
request for an explanation of the Mexican
^official attitude toward German Foreign
j Minister Zimmerman's proposal has been
ignored almost insolently.
Wilson Was Not Gentle
AMSTERDAM, March 31. Foreign Min
j ister Zimmerman, discussing in the reich
j stag the German proposal to Mexico, said
j hat Carranza up to the present time would
never have heard of it if the United States
i had not made public the note. He asserted
j that President Wilson had broken off rela
i (ions with extraordinary roughness.
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BIG COPPER MINING COMPANY
PAYS AN ENORMOUS TAX
I JUNEAU, April 6.—The taxes of the
Kennecott. Mining Company for last year
j were paid today. They amounted to
*219.000. The territorial treasurer’s report
l shows that there is now on hand the sum
j of ¥847,000.
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GILL AND HIS ASSOCIATES
FOUND NOT GUILTY BY JURY
SEATTLE, March 31.—Mayor Hiram Gill,
| Sheriff Robert Hodges, Chief of Police Beck
ingham and others, who have been on trial
on a charge of conspiracy in connection with
alleged violations of the prohibition law,
were found not guilty by the jury, which
returned a verdict at 9:30 this morning,
after being out since 5:30 o’clock yesterday
afternoon. Judge Neterer had ruled that
if the jury found that Gill had taken $4,000
from Billingsley, as charged by the prose
cution. he was necessarily guilty of con
spiracy.
-4
TELEGRAPHIC BREVITIES
SEATTLE, April 6.- Richard Ballinger,
j former secretary of the interior, has ten
j dered his services to the war department,
j AMERICAN LAKE, Wash., April 4.—The
Second regiment, Waishington National
i Guard, was mustered into the federal serv
j ice today.
SEATTLE, April 5.—The tug Roscoe
has been chartered by the government for
Alaska wire drag purposes.
LONDON, April 5.—The food controller
has ordered one meatless day each week.
Restaurants will serve no potatoes except
on meatless days.
NEW YORK, March 31.—William
Gerard, formerly ambassador to Germany,
is ill at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
WASHINGTON, March 31.—President
Wilson has written Mrs. Caminetti stating
that it tears his heart to deny her appeal
for a pardon for her son.
DENVER, March 31.—Mrs. Smith, a
wealthy society woman, has been found
not guilty of murdering her husband.
SEATTLE, April 3.—W. T. Perkins has
returned from Washington, where he urged
upon Secretary Daniels the necessity for the
immediate opening of the Matanuska,
Alaska, and other coal fields for the use
of the navy, and as a reserve supply for
‘Alaskans.
ARMY OF TWO MILLIONS
FLAN OF GENERAL STAFF
i
WASHINGTON, April 5. The general staff of the army ha«
prepared plans at the request of President Wilson which coo tem
plate the recruiting of an army of two million men to bring tor
many to terms. Contracts have been let for twenty submarine
chasers.
A call for twenty thousand workers of all trades fur the quar
j termaster’s reserve corps was issued yesterday by the war depart
J ment Citizens between the ages of 18 and 24, of good character,
j and in good health, will be accepted for a period of four years,
j unless sooner discharged by the proper authorities. They will be
eligible to promotion to higher grades m the reserve as soon a<
vacancies occur.
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo said today that 83,400,000,
000 for army and navy expenses will be raised by a bond issue.
! All four of the big appropriation bibs which failed of passage
! at the last session of congress have been passed by the house.
To Discuss Co-operation with the British
LONDON, April 5. The British government will dispatch a
I commission to the United States as soon as the declaration of war
i is announced, to discuss the work of co-operation in the war.
i --
HOW PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE V/AS RECEIVED
BY GERMAN GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS
WASHINGTON, April 3. The President’s message was sent
in full to Germany by officials of the German news agency, for
publication in that country. The text was also sent to England
and £ summary was sent around the world to other nations.
Germany Will Not Declare War
BERLIN, April 4. -Press reports of President Wilson’s mes
sage to congress reached Berlin today. It is declared here that
there will be no change in the German attitude, even if congress
adopts the President’s views. Germany will not declare war nor
tike any step to wage war against the United States. The sub
marine warfare will be continued, but it is declared by officials
that it is not directed more against the United States than any
other neutral nation.
“Death Knell of Hohenzollernism”
LONDON, April 3. “The death knell of Hohenzollernism” is
the outstanding feature of Presideat Wilsons message, according
to the opinions expressed by the London press m dismissing the
document.
Utterances of French Statesmen
PARIS, April 5.- Premier Ribot declared today that the entry'
of the United States into the war marked a red letter day for
I-'rance. Jules Cambon, former French ambassador to the United
.States, made the statement that "the President’s message is a
great battle won from Germany."
Austria Prepares for Rupture
VIENNA, April 5.—It appears certain that Austria-Hungary
will sever diplomatic relations with the United States if congress
declares that a state of war exists between the United States and
Germany. The government has placed a special car at the dis
posal of Mr. Penfield, the American ambassador.
Roosevelt Urges Quick and Effective Warfare
WASHINGTON, April 3.—Former President Theodore Roose
velt, just before entering the White House today, said: “The
President's message to congress will rank among the foremost state
papers, of which Americans are proud. The point to be empha
sized is that we strike as hard and as soon and as effectively as
possible, and wage aggressive warfare against the Germap govern
ment,”
TAMPA, Fla., April 2.—Theodore Roosevelt, who is headed
for Washington, in a speech delivered here Sunday said that the
United States should declare war without further delay.
Former President Taft Also Approves
NEW HAVEN, April 3.—Former President William H. Taft
declared today that President Wilson’s message to congress was
a great historical state paper.
PACIFIST DEMONSTRATIONS AT CAPITAL
ADD TO THE PREVAILING EXCITEMENT
WASHINGTON, April 2.—Pacifists are using their influence
in an eleventh hour effort in congress to urge their views respect
ing the impending war with Germany. Street parading has been
prohibited by police orders. Thousands of telegrams from all
parts of the country are pouring in, both at the capitol and at
the White House, either praying for peace or urging drastic action
to uphold American rights and honor.
Massachusetts Senator Resents Insult
Senator Lodge felled Alexander Banna war', one of his constitu
ents, in the lobby of the capitol today. Bannawart had called
Lodge a coward for refusing to vote against any war resolution.
The pacifist arose and a battle ensued. Bannawart was pummel
ing the senator severely when he was pulled off by spectators.
Pacifists Dispersed by Police Reserves
WASHINGTON, April 2.—Two thousand pacifists were driven
from the east portico of the capitol this afternoon, after an at
tempt to stage a demonstration. Sergeant-at-Arms Huggins of
the senate asked them to go home. Cat calls greeted his request
and hot words followed. It looked for a time as though there
would be trouble, but the crowd was finally forced to disperse by
the police reserves.
Patriotic Demonstration in Baltimore
BALTIMORE, April 2.—Sunday afternoon a patriotic demon
stration was made by several thousand persons, who stormed the
Academy of Music and swept aside a cordon of police and broke
up a big pacifist meeting. Dr. David Starr Jordan, who was
delivering an address, was stopped in the middle of a word, and
was not allowed to continue his remarks.
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REPUBLICS OF SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
MAY CAST THEIR LOT WITH UNITED STATES
RIO JANEIRO, April 6.—Brazil may declare war on Germany,
according to an official announcement made today. The sinking
of the Brazilian steamship Parana and the killing of three Brazil
ian citizens has aroused intense anti-German feeling. The situation
is most grave, and Foreign Secretary Muller said today that a
declaration of war against Germany may be looked for.
It is generally expected that Brazil will seize all German ships
in her harbors immediately upon the proclamation of hostilities
against Germany. There are a hundred thousand Germans in the
Brazilian state of Rio Grande.
Bolivia would probably follow Brazil in a declaration of war
against Germany.