— ___ — ■ -—--—-11
THE ID5TARQD PIONEER
Published Every Saturday Morning at Idltarod, Alaska
Vol. S CHARLES A. DERRY, Editor No. 14
ARBUCKLE & DERRY, Publishers
Subscription Rates
■On* Year. $10.00 | One Month $1.00
Six Month*. 6.00 | Single Copy .25
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O We accepted this war for an object, a worthy object, O
O and the war will end when that object is obtained. Under <>
O God I hope it will never end until that time.—Abraham O
O Lincoln. ^
THE UNITED STATES AT WAR
By the time this issue of The Pioneer reaches its readers it is
fully expected that the United States congress will have formally
declared a slate of war to exist between the United States and
the imperial German government, and to have authorized the
President to “employ all its resources to carry on the war and to
bring the conflict to a successful conclusion.
This war is not of our seeking. There is probably not in all
history another example of patience and forbearance such as has
been exhibited by the United States during the past two years and
a half toward an arrogant power which lias elected to ignore ac
knowledged rights, break solemn promises and interfere in the do
mestic affairs of a friendly nation. When the Lusitania was sunk
unci a erv of horror went up throughout the civilized world against
the ruthless murder of innocent men, women arid children, this
country even then gave the German government an opportunity
to make reparation. When this reparation was withheld and the
urgent conunuuicains of President Wilson were treated with
Studied contempt, the warlike spirit in this country was still held
ill leash by counsels, whether wise or not, which tended to avoid
open rupture as long as possible. W hen later promises were sol
emnly given that unarmed vessels would not be sunk without
warning, the hope was expressed that this nation would be able
to keep out of the conflict. In spite of the fact that this promise
was repeatedly violated, always, however, followed by some in
tangible excuse, it was seen that Germany’s intention was to ig
nore the protests of the United States, depending on the pacifists
of this country to prevent a declaration of war, and bolstered up
by assurances of disaffection among the large Teutonic population
of the United States. It is generally conceded that at no time
has Germany desired open warfare with the United States, whil;
at the same time ignoring her rights and duties under international
law.
The climax cume when, after the so-called peace proposals of
the closing days of the year 1910 were repulsed by the entente
allies, Germany again entered upon her unrestricted submarine
warfare, after boldly asserting her intention of breaking her prom
ise to the United States government. Even then it might have
been possible for Germany to have avoided open hostilities with
the United States for a time had she refrained from attacking
United States vessels, because of the pronounced opposition to war
in this country’. But with the boldness that has characterized all
her operations, American vessels tvere among the first to be sunk
under the new order. With wonderful effrontery the German
chancellor still announces that “Germany does not now nor has
she ever desired war with the United States.”
Now that a state of war exists, and the destinies of this country
are merged in the conflict against a power which has made waste
paper of all existing treaties and all international law that have
in any way interfered with her plans, it is possible and advisable
to discuss the situation with more freedom than was possible when
this country was occupying a position of neutrality toward the
various belligerents.
Wise statesmen have recognized ever since the inception of the
conflict in Europe that the interests of the United States were
identical with those of France, England and Russia. There has
been a deep feeling that this country was not doing its share to
ward stamping out a militarism which constituted a menace to
the whole world. It was realized that the success of Teutonic
firms in the Old World meant an extension of that power to the
New World. Only those who willfully closed their eyes to the
Hue situation failed to see this. Germany’s war machine was to
be used to bring the world under subjection to German commerce,
to German ideals, to German kultur. A victorious Germany meant
war with the United States, and a victorious Germany in the New
World meant a loss to humanity of all that the Anglo-Saxon race
has evolved in the way of personal liberty', of self-government and
democratic institutions. That President Wilson has grasped this
idea of the menace that confronts us, and not only us but the
whole world, is clear from his message to congress delivered last
Tuesday “Autocratic government,” he said, “controlled only' by
its own will, and not by’ the will of the people, constitutes a men
ace to the peace and freedom of the world.” It will be noticed
also that the declaration of congress recognizes a state of war,
not against the German people, but against the “imperial German
government.”
It is not to be denied that these views will be scoffed at by
a large element in our population. There is little doubt that the
menace to American institutions in the success of Germany will
be met with incredulity. But these views find confirmation even
in the German public prints. Buoyed up by the success of the
drive through Roumania and the favorable position of German
arms, which induced a hope for a favorable peace, it is learned
that German thought already is being directed toward “the next
war.” And the pertinent inquiry is, What nation would naturally
be involved with Germany in the “next war”? The Literary Di
gest acknowledges "somewhat of a shock” to find in the Berlin
Local Anzeiger an article from the pen of Dr. Rathenau, Allge
meine Electricitats Gessellschaft, who has had charge of the mo
bilizing of German industry since the war began. Discussing plans
for a future war, which he apparently regards as inevitable, he
says:
“We began the war a year too soon, When we have secured a
German peace we must begin at once n reorganization upon u
broader and firmer basis than ever before. Establishments that
produce raw materials essential to the army must not oidy con
tinue their work, but enter into it upon lines of increased energy,
forming thus the kernel of economic sense for the next war. We
must carefully calculate in advance, in view of lessons learned in
this war, what our country lacks in raw material or essentials of
raw material, and secure immense reserves to remain unused until
a day in the future. We must organize as genuine an industrial
mobilization as we had a military mobilization. Every technician
or semi-technician, enrolled or not in the list of mobilized, must
be empowered through official credentials to take charge and direc
tion of a given establishment upon the second day following a new
declaration of war. Every establishment manufacturing for com
mercial purposes must be mobilized also and understand officially
that upon the third day after declaration of war its entire abilities
tire to be devoted to serving the army upon demand. It must be
determined in advance just what quantities and sort of essentials
such establishment can furnish the army in a given time. Each
establishment also should lie required to furnish a detailed list of
workmen who can be dispensed with, these alone to be mobilized
in the military sense. . . . We must finally establish some
definite commercial understanding with nations outside Europe
that will offer them advantages to be duly specified in detail,
whereby these nations, as neutrals, will find it to their direct dis
advantage commercially to trade or sell munitions during war to
either ourselves or our enemies. We can afford to offer such con
ditions ourselves. And finally, when the next war comes, it must
not be a year too soon.”
These frank utterances from one of the leading capitalists of
Germany, we read, have produced in France a marked reaction
against peace. They should also lend incentive to the United
Suites to use its utmost endeavors in assisting in the downfall of
thi- military despotism, and to make forever impossible u recur
rence of ihe horrors of the last two years and a half of studied
military aggression.
Discussing the recent ruling of Judge Jennings, wherein he
held that Charles A. Sulzer was entitled to the certificate of elec
tion as delegate in congress from Alaska, the Anchorage Times
says:
When Mr. Sulzer, through this decision, takes his seat in
the halls of the national congress, he will do so in the full
knowledge that he is not there through the will or wish of the
peo[ le of Alaska, but rather through a court decision based on
mere technicalities. Few men of the caliber ht to represent
the people of Alaska in the congress would care to assume a
seat under these circumstances. A really big man would abide
by the will of the electorate, if convinced that his opponent
were rightfully elected.
Political bias sometimes leads men in queer mazes of argu
ment. A “really big man,” whether he be of “caliber fit to repre
sent the people of Alaska in congress” or not, will abide by the
decision of the constituted authority, which in this case happens
to he the United States district court. He could not possibly “be
convinced that his opponent was rightfully elected,” in view of
this decision; but whether he were so convinced or not, his action
in refusing the seat in congress to which he has been declared
elected would not help his defeated opponent in the least. The
law does not constitute a candidate for political office the judge of
election also.
—-♦
One of the most difficult things to understand in connection
with the world war has been German expression, both in the
fatherland and in this country, on the subject of the sale of war
munitions by the United States to the allies. That the protests
have been insincere is evident; but that they should have so far
imposed on American citizens of German extraction to the extent
that they should believe them to have merit is strange indeed.
There is at least no delusion on this score in Germany. The Ber
lin Local Anzeiger is quoted as saying:
It must always be recalled to the German “Yankee-haters”
that their standpoint is legally wrong, that the Hague conven
tion distinctly permits neutrals to make deliveries of ammuni
tion, and that Germany's representatives in that convention
expressly opposed changing this clause.
-.—^
The Fatherland, the paper published in New York since the
beginning of the European war, has changed its name, and now
comes under the name of “The New World." George Sylvester
Viereck, its very brilliant editor, says that while it will break the
hearts of people of German blood living in this country to fight
the fatherland, they will be loyal to the core to the land of their
adoption. In concluding one editorial dealing with the possible
consequence of such a conflict he says: “The time to debate these
questions is now. We are not yet in war with Germany. When
we aire it will behoove every American to stand loyally by the
country and not find fault or heckle those in positions to direct
our military and political affairs, or even to raise questions of
doubt. Once in. we must fight our way through with faith in our
hearts. Therefore, the time to consider is now."
—-♦
Among the dearest prerogatives of a free people are liberty of
conscience and free speech. Senators Lafollette and Stone must
be credited with patriotic motives in the stand they have taken in
the present crisis. But the general impression will be that these
men. like many others before them in our political history, have
been tried in the balance of broad statesmanship and found wanting.
-♦
No intimation has been received here so far as to the intention
ot the government with reference to enemy aliens in the event of
war. In this remote section it would appear that the policy to
be pursued must rest largely with the ones affected. Internment
should not be necessary. Aliens and those with alien sympathies
may bring such action upon themselves.
Those Americans who have felt vague qualms of conscience
as to their sympathies with autocratic Russia in the great world
war will now rejoice that as a result of the appalling conflict the
germs of liberty have been sown in that benighted land, and that
the first tangible result has been the liberation of thousands of
political prisoners of Siberia.
Everyone will be anxious to see the full text of President Wil
son’s war message. It must have been a remarkable document
to have evoked from the mild-mannered Taft the statement that
it was “a great historical state paper," and from the fire-eating
Roosevelt the admission that “it will rank among the foremost
state papers of which Americans are proud.”
The central powers have subdued Roumania, Belgium, Serbia
and Montenegro, but San Marino still holds out. New York
Morning Telegraph. __
Ball Band Rubber Boots and Pacs Ball Band Rubber Boots and Pacs
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1 pm** fruits—Vegetables J
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2 Class "A" Potatoes, Golden State Butter, Etc., Etc., Etc. §
N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska j j N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska j
SUMMARY OF DECISION
GIVEN BY JUDGE JENNINGS
IN ELECTION CONTEST CASE
The decision of Judge Robert W. Jennings
of the district court at Juneau in the Sul
zer-Wickersham election contest, handed
down on March 20, granted the writ of
mandamus compelling the canvassing board
to issue a certificate of election to Charles
A, Sulzer, the Democratic candidate, on
the grounds that the election returns from
Choggiung, Deering, Nushagak, Utica, Bon
nafield and Vault precincts were illegal.
These precincts gave Wickersham 09 votes
and Sulzer 19 votes. The elimination of
these precincts gave Sulzer a plurality of
19. The Nizina precinct, also contested,
was ordered to be counted by the canvassing
board. The decision of the court upheld
the brief filed by Attorney General Grigsby
with the canvassing board upon every point
involved in the contest.
The chief points discussed by the court
in its decision were: Was mandamus the
proper remedy? Is the Alaska election law
mandatory? What constitutes a proper re
turn ?
With respect to the first question, the
court held that mandamus was the proper
remedy, and although there was some ques
tion as to the governor, as the chief execu
tive of the territory, coming under it, the
mandamus writ would operate against the
two other members of the canvassing board,
who constitute a majority.
On the second question the judge con
sidered the motives of the territorial legis
lature in deciding whether the Australian
ballot law of Alaska was mandatory or di
rectory. “There was a crying need that
the whole rotten system of poen voting
should be abolished,” said the court. “There
was but one way to conquer the evil, and
that was to tear up the noxious weed, root
and branch, and lx it so that the voter
would vote in secret, not with someone
standing over him; that he should not have
some ready-made ballot, with the name of
only one candidate, thrust into his hands.”
The court said that an official ballot was
as necessary as voting in secret was neces
sary, to correct evils in the old system.
With resnect to the third question, the
court declared that the canvassing board
could not go behind the returns. “That,”
said the court, “is for the Republican house
of representatives to do” (hinting at an ap
peal to the national congress'. The court
said that no question of disfranchisement
of voters entered into the controversy, for
the official ballot was the only way the
voter had of speaking.
FOR A REAL INVESTIGATION
(Chicago Herald I
The federal trade commission is about to
start an investigation of the rise in food
prices. It will ask the President to ap
prove an appropriation of $400,000 for that
purpose. It proposes to cover every side
of the food situation.
Good! Let us hope at last we are going
to have a real investigation. The country
has confidence in the federal trade commis
sion. Now let's have the facts. Let’s go
to the bottom—to the fundamentals—and
really learn all that can be learned about
the subject.
The problem is legal and economic. The
question of whether there are combinations
in restraint of trade must be decided. That
has heretofore attracted the main atten
tion. Now it's time to go more into the
economic part—and go into it thoroughly.
Arc the people being compelled to pay too
much for what they buy? Nobody can
answer that until he can say with reason
hle approximation what it costs to pro
duce those things.
In some fields the trade commission will
find plenty of data. The packers, for in
stance, can tell it exactly what it costs to
turn out their products. Government at
tention has encouraged accurate cost ac
counting in their case. But these fields
are limited. In the biggest fields of all the
work will have to be done from the ground
up. There isn't a farmer in Illinois who
knows what it costs him to put his product
< n the market today. There isn't one man
ufacturer in ten who has an accurate idea
of what it costs him to run his business.
Let the trade commission start literally
“from the ground up.” Let it start with
the farmer and find what production of
everything, from eggs to wheat and cattle,
means in terms of money and labor expen
diture. He doesn’t know, and nobody else
knows. Then let it follow the product to
consumption. Many people assume high
prices don’t start until they reach some
labor organization. From the economic
at the beginning as anywhere else. Prices
standpoint they are just as liable to start
cannot be permanently below the cost of
production under any circumstances.
The country is in the mood for an in
vestigation that will be long and deep and
thorough. It is tired of these continued
flurries about high prices that get nothing
except possibly a politician into congress
or some other job or into the newspapers.
It has had its fill of half-baked remedies
that spring from attention to only one-half
of the great problem. Let’s have an inves
tigation that will enable the country to see
it steadily and see it whole. It would be
cheap at $400,000 or $4,000,000.
WICKERSHAM NOT GUILTY
OF BLOCKING ROAD WORK
Information received by mail shows that
Representative Gordon of Ohio, Democrat,
assisted by Representatives Stafford of Wis
consin, Republican, and not Delegate
Wickersham, blocked the $500,000 appro
priation for wagon roads in Alsaka when
the army bill was before the house in the
last session of congress, according to the
Seward Gateway. The bill was lost by be
ing blocked in the senate after the item
was restored, and no money will be forth
coming unless provision is made for it in
the special session.
The item was stricken from the bill on
the objection of Gordon and Stafford on a
point of order, although the method of ap
propriating was the customary one.
Colonel Richardson of the Alaska road
commission was in the hospital at the time,
undergoing treatment for his eyes, and was
unable to appear before, the committee.
BRANDIED PEACHES TABOO
The seizure of forty glass jars of brandied
peaches and cherries at two stores of Au
gustine & Kyer, in Seattle, was recently re
ported. Two clerks were arrested on the
charge of selling intoxicants.
-♦
Fresh Olympia and Eastern Oysters,
$1.50 per can. Iditarod Meat Co.
IN OUR TOWN
In our small town there is no bar; no
booze is sold in flask or jar; no signs an
nouncing ice-cold beer upon our lone main
street appear. When we’d assuage our lusty
thirst, we quote the motto, “Safety First,”
and to the nearest hydrant trail, and drink
three quarts of Adam’s ale. Ten thousand
people, good and bad, are dwelling in our
lovely grad, and when the week of toil is
done, and they set forth to have some fun,
not one of all that cheerful throng goes
seeking liquor, red and strong; there is no
liquor here to seek, and so the seeker’d be
a freak. Of course, it makes a strong man
eroan to have some money all his own, and
find he cannot blow it in for cool, refresh
ing. square-face gin; and oftentimes, in his
.despair, he buys his children shoes to wear;
or gives his wife a large green bill, which
should be in the brewer’s till. Or, driven
frantic by the law which bars the bugjuice
from his maw a law devised by some fool
crank—he puts his money in the bank, or
buys himself a house and lot, while he’s
with indignation hot. The news our papers
print is stale; there are no doings at the
jail; our people lead eventless lives; our
husbands seldom beat their wives; not once
a year are prison bunks engaged by plain
or fancy drunks. It is a stupid life we
j lead, and much I fear we’ll go to seed; we
| ought to have a boozing ken, and put our
jail in use again! Walt Mason.
----♦
TELLS OF ASSASSINATION
OF RUSSIA’S MYSTIC MONK
The report of the discovery of the body
of Rasputin, shot through with n>nny bul
lets and thrust beneath the ice of the Neva
at Petrograd, is the final chapter of a strange
tale of court intrigue and Oriental supersti
tion. For many years it has been rumored
that the power behind the Russian throne
was the monk magician from Siberia, Greg
ory Rasputin. Ignorant and illiterate, coarse
and licentious, yet he became the chief fa
vorite of the czar and czarina, and con
trolled the removal and appointment cf the
highest dignitaries of church and state.
Some called him the evil genius, others the
guardian angel of the czar, but both parties
agreed as to the extent of his influence. He
is accredited with having induced the czar
to abolish with a stroke of the pen the sale
of alcoholic liquor throughout the Russian
empire at the outset of the war. He is
accused of endeavoring to persuade the czar
to a premature peace, such as would sacri
fice the interests of his country.
Rasputin gained a reputation among the
common people as a miracle-worker when
he was curing the sick in Siberia by the
laying on of hands. His eloquence made
him the leader of one of those mystical
movements so common in Russia, and about
[ ten years ago brought him into favor with
| nobility and royalty. The czarina had dis
! appointed her husband and her people by
presenting them in succession with four
daughters but no son. and when at last
an heir appeared he was sickly, some say
deformed, from birth. The “mystic monk"
was called to treat him, and apparently ac
complished what the doctors thought im
possible. But whenever the czarevitch was
taken away from his healer his health de
clined, so Rasputin became an indispensable
intimate of the imperial household.
Many attempts have been made to re
move him in more or less legitimate ways,
but hitherto without success. He has been
openly denounced in the duma as a danger
to the realm, but his status at court was
unshaken. In July, 1914, he was stabbed
by a woman, Julia Guseva, who gave as
her reason for the act that he had ruined
: the lives of young girl« and brought sean
I dal upon the church. It was while he was
| disabled bv this wound that the Russian
armi<» were mobilized, which precipitated
| the great war. His friends believe that the
attempted assassination was a plot to get
him out of the way so the czar could be
forced into war in spite of the pacifist prin
! ciples with which Rasputin had inspired
him.
netner his aeatti was instigated by
jealousy of his political power or by the
i fear est he should betray Russia to the
Germans is known only to his murderers.
There are several versions of the assassins
tion, and since they are equally unauthentic,
we choose the most dramatic. This is that
he was invited to a banquet at the palace
of Prince Felix Yusupov in Meika street.
There were said to be six young men of
prominence at the dinner, and after drink
ing together one of them handed a revolver 1
to Rasputin and told him to shoot himself. I
He took the revolver, but fired instead at j
the man who had given it to him. The shot [
hit and killed a wolf-hound, and while the :
monk was trying to escape he was brought
down by three bullets. His body was taken
to the Petrovsky bridge and dropped over
into the river, but the attached weights
broke off as the body in falling struck the
end of a bridge beam, so it was carried down
by the current instead of sinking to the
bottom. No action will be taken against
the assassins, as the police are said to have
reported that the act was committed in
“self-defense.”—New York Independent.
-*- |
GOLD AND A BRIDE
Danny Bryce, Kuskokwim miner, who
went through here on his way Outside last
fall with gold from a strike on Bear creek,
in that locality, was married on February
24, according to advices received by local
friends.—Seward Gateway. March 2.
SUNDAY MAY TAKE STUMP
IN BEHALF OF W. J. BRYAN
Not the least interesting story now cur
rent is one to the effect that if Mr. Bryan
succeeds in making prohibition a leading, or
the leading, issue in 1920, and gets a presi
dential nomination with that issue in his
platform, Billy Sunday will take the stump
for him. That would make, all will con
cede, a lively combination.
The two men are friends. They admire
e3ch other. Mr. Bryan regards Mr. 8unday
as a great influence for good in the field
of morals and religion and Mr. Sunday re
gards Mr. Bryan as a great influence for
good in the field of m rals and politic*.
Mr. Sunday never has offered the public
advice on economic problem*. What hi*
views are on the tariff, the trusts, the cur
rency or a merchant marine is not known
Neither has he taken the public into hi*
confidence on such problems as imperialism
and preparedness. Bi t he has very pro
nounced views on prohibition, and they are
in full agreement with those entertained by
Mr. Bryan. Hence the gossip that if Mr.
Bryan succeeds in subordinating economic
problems in 1920 in favor of a vigorous and
direct thrust at the drink traffic, Mr. Sunday
will cancel other engagements for the time
and lend a hand. -Washington Star
TEXAS, IN EXC-T1NC CAREER
HAS BEEN UNDER SIX FUGS
Six flags have flown over Texas, including
the banners of three foreign power?—France,
Spain and Mexico, First came the French
flag, which was carried down the Mississippi
river to the Gulf of Mexico by the intrepid
La Salle. Following this was the Spanish
emblem, first thrown to the breeie under
the direction of the Franciscan priests. Then
came in succession the Mexican and the
Lone Star emblem of the republic of Texas.
The Stars and Stripes followed the Lone
Star, but was supplanted for a time by the
Stars and Bars of the Confederacy.
In the struggle for ascendancy among
lhe«e various grouj s it is needless to ssy
that much blood ha- been spilled and count
less tragedies have taken their places on
the pages of histoiy. The history of the
republic of Texas is one of the most unique
examples of national sovereignty that the
world has ever seen. A province of 30,000
people won independence from a nation of
several millions. But these 30,000 were
generally men of turdy Anglo-American
stock.
A few years latr,r these same fearless and
independent Texans voluntarily gave up
their sovereignty to become one of the gal
axy of stars under the banner of the Uniter!
States.—Chicago Journal.
LOOKED SUSPICIOUS
As Widow Watts bent industriously over
her washtub she wts treated to polite con
versation by a male friend, who presently
turned the conversation on matrimony,
winding up with a proposal of marriage.
“Are ye sure ye love me’1’ sighed th»
buxom widow, pausing in her wringing.
And the man vowed he did.
For a few minutes there was a silence as
the widow continued her labor. Then sud
denly she raised her head and asked him.
suspiciously:
“You ain't lost yer job, have ver’”
Chicago News.
Job Printing at The Pioneer office.
Professiona l
Michigan, 1881 Alaaka, Ml*
Kentucky, J861
George Woodruff Albrecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
1DITAROO, ALASKA
The Pioneer Attorney of Idflarcd
E. M. STANTON
Attorney at Law
Office: Corner Willow and Second Sta.
Iditorod Pioneer Building
CM AS. E. TAYLOR
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
first Avenue
DR. MOORE
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
DRUG STORE
DR. H. E. AURINGE*
Physician and Surgeoe
Office: flit City HospiUl, flit Sqr
Consultation Hours in Forenoon! wN INP
Appointment
FLAT DRUG STORE
FINNEGAN & CAMERON
FLAT CITY
Agency for Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs and Records
TOBACCO CIGARS STATIONERY
CONFECTIONERY AND BILLIARDS
C. R. Cameron Jas. F. Finnegan
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THOS. McMAHON
DEALER IN
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FLAT, ALASKA