one dollar per month _IDITAROD. ALASKA. SATURDAY MORNING. APRIL I. 1916___2acentepercopy^
DESTRUCTION OF SUSSEX
MAY PRECIPITATE CRISIS
LONDON, March 31.—The cross-channel passen
ger steamship Sussex, from Folkestone to Dieppe,
was torpedoed on Saturday last. Information ob
tained from rescued passengers indicates that there
was considerable loss of life, including Americans.
Later advices show that one hundred and twenty
two persons, including five Americans, were lost.
A Belgian army officer who was on board the
Sussex states that a strange merchantman screened
the submarine that destroyed the vessel.
Information Awaited
WASHINGTON, March 31.—Although Secretary
of State Lansing has made a request to the German
government, through Ambassador Gerard, for par
ticulars of the attack on the Sussex, no answer has
yet been received, although three days have elapsed
since the request was made. Tne department has
no proof as yet that the Sussex was sunk by a sub
marine. Affidavits made by American passengers
of the vessel at Liverpool however, state that the
British ships Englishman and Sussex were sunk by
submarines. President Wilson is awaiting official
information concerning the sinking of the Sussex be
fore deciding that it was a violation of international
law.
The possibility of breaking off diplomatic, rela
tions with Germany is being discussed again because
of the sinking of the Sussex and Englishman. Ger
many, however, is ready to disavow the torpedoing
of the Sussex. If done by a submarine, it is stated,
the commander disobeyed orders, and he will be
punished. All .Americans on board have been ac
counted for.
Tire entente powers, through their embassies,
have presented to Secretary Lansing their formal re
jection of the proposal that they disarm all mer
chantmen.
o —
ITEMS OF WAR NEWS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
LONDON. March 31.—Three more allied steam
ships, two British and one French, have been sunk
since the renewal of submarine warfare. Reports
received here show that the reichstag has been en
gaged m a discussion of the German submarine pol
icy. A German raider has been sunk in the North
sea.
The Germans again bombarded Saloniki on Mon
day last. Eighteen civilians were killed. The Ger
mans lost two aeroplanes.
The expeditionary forces against the Germans m
East Africa are reported to be making progress.
Six men accused of trying to foment strikes among
munitions workers have been arrested, and will be
placed on trial for high treason.
Lord Robert Cecil has denied in the house of com
mons United States Senator Hitchcock’s statement
that the British mail censorship has been used to
steal American trade.
The Russians have captured German trenches at
Dvinsk, but have been beaten back at Jacobstadt.
French Transport Sunk
BERLIN, March 27.—A French transport carry
ing troops from Saloniki struck a mine, and but
seventy-three persons on hoard were saved.
The war office has announced that the German
trenches near Stelmi have been destroyed by Brit
ish mines.
Three British hydroplanes have been brought
down by German guns during a raid on northern
Schlesw'ig.
Zeppelins Repulsed
SALONIKI, March 27.—An attempt at another
Zeppelin raid over the city has been made, but was
prevented by gun fire.
Fatal Explosion in Austria
BUCHAREST, March 29.—An explosion in a mu
nitions factory at Wellsdorff, Austria, resulted in the
killing of three hundred persons.
French General Killed
PARIS, March 29.—General Largeau, a young
French brigadier, has been killed at Verdun. He
distinguished himself in the African expedition.
Preparations for Final Blow
PETROGRAD, March 29.—German prisoners
taken at Dvinsk tell of preparations being made by
the kaiser for the delivery of a final blow.
Italians Regain Lost Ground
ROME, March 29.—Italian infantry have re
gained positions lost to the Austrians last Sunday.
--♦
TO INVESTIGATE THE AVIATION SERVICE
WASHINGTON, March 31.—The war department
has authorized the purchase of eight aeroplanes for
use in Mexico. The investigation into the charges
made against the army aviation service has been con
cluded. Secretary of War Baker said that the re
sult of the inquiry would not be made public at
present. The matter will be considered by the cab
ined.
KUSKOKWIM NEWS BUDGET
OF EVENTS OF INTEREST
ALONG THE GREAT RIVER
I The Russian government has notified the
| United States department of the interior,
. which in turn has sent notice to the de
partment’s heads in Alaska, I hat the ortho
| dox (Ireek Catholic church has withdrawn
from its mission work among the Alaska
natives.
The conference to which the southwest
portion of Alaska belonged was located in
headquarters on Ninety sixth street, New
York city. Quite a number of priests were
, employed, with salaries ranging from $9U0
a year up.
i This organization numbered about 98 per
cent of the natives of the lower Kuskokwim
region among its members.
—
Government Teachers to Retire
Mr. and Mrs. John II. Kilbuck, l nited
States government teachers at Akiak, Kus
kokwim river, expect to leave for the Out
side next July, to make their future home
on their ranch in Kansas. This year com
pletes their twenty-seventh year of residence >
! in Alaska, during which time they have
been connected with the government service.
Some years ago Mr. Kilbuck had the
misfortune to prick his finger with a fish
i bone, which resulted in blood poisoning. To
I save his life it was necessary to amputate
the arm, which operation was successfully
performed at Bethel by his brother-in-law.
I)r. Romig, the government physician then
stationed there.
Mr. and Mrs. Kilbuck have a fund of
stories of their pioneer life in the frozen
North, and a great collection of useful in
formation and recipes, which the govern
ment is now preparing to print in book
form.
Mr. and Mrs. Kilbuck are a very hos
pitable couple, end not only are they well
liked among the natives, but are equally
popular with the prospectors.
Their ranch is located a few miles east
of Emporia, Kan., where their son. John
If. Jr., is living.
Missionary to Go on Vacation
The Rev. Stephen Ilirani Rock and fam
ily, of the Moravian mission at Bethel. w.U
leave for the Outside by the lirst boat in
the spring, for a year's vacation, which i
granted them by that organization.
Mr. Rock has been postmaster at Bethel
for a number of years, and was a very
obliging and courteous official.
Mr. and Mrs. Rock will spend their vaca
tion at their orl 1 home in Pennsyl . r.ni;:.
Raising Potatoes cn the Kuskokwim
The year 1915 was the first season in
which any general effort hits been matte
to raise ‘murphys" on the Kuskokwim. The
yield was simply enormous. In most in
stances the potatoes were sound, of good
size, anti dry and mealy. The largest stngit
; potatoes are reported to have been raised
by E. W. Parks, at Parks’ cinnabar mines,
fifteen miles above Georgetown. He used a
limestone rock to buil 1 his furnaces, and
! when they became worthless for that pur
| pose, us-eti the lime for a fertilizer. He is
. reported to have had a number of "otaf,'ns
weighing more than six pounds each. Po
tatoes weighing more than two pounds eacn
were raised on the Aniak. whose waters are
heavily charged with time. Tom L. John
son. on his homestead at the mouth of the
Aniak. had a large yield, and was handi
I capped by lack of seed for planting. His
planting for the 1916 crop will be largely in ,
: excess of that of last year.
Many natives planted small patches of ,
! potatoes, and were so well pleased with the .
results that much larger areas will be
planted this year, including cabbage and tur
nips. Last year Mr. Arbuckle of the Idita
; rod Pioneer furnished nearly 100 sacks of
I government seeds for distribution to the
natives on the Kuskokwim river,
i At the village of Akiak the natives had
sold up to the first of March potatoes to the
: value of $642, and it is estimated that they
have in their cellars about $150 worth more
to sell of the 1915 crop.
Reminiscences of Deceased Trader
Edward B. Lind died recently at his home
1 in San Francisc.o He began business as a
; trader on the Kuskokwim river some thirty
1 years ago, for the oil Alaska Commercial
i Company. When this company withdrew
from the river they scld out to Mr. Lind for
! 50 cents on the dollar.
Mr. Lind owned a number of river boats,
| on one of which his three sons lost their
! lives near the mouth of the Kuskokwim
1 river. The three boys took the boat, the
| Anawanda, down on the lower river on
some business. Just before they left Bethel
one of the native medicine men who flour
i ished at that time, and who was peeved
i about something, made the prediction that
! if they ever went down the river again they
I would not come back alive. The prophecy
wcs a malicious one, and probably was
laughed at at the time; but nevertheless
more attention was paid to the mad utter
ances of the medicine men then than now.
When the Anawanda had been overdue a
| short time a searching party went to look
I for the boat, and found it floating around
i with the wind and tide. There was nothing
; on board to indicate or furnish a clue to
! the tragedy but a broken water glass on the
| boiler. The engines were set for the for
| ward stroke and the throttle was open.
It is believed that when the water glass
broke the boys suddenly remembered the
medicine man’s prophecy and became terror
stricken and sprang overboard. Their bod
ies never were recovered, and it is only con
jecture as to what happened.
The year the Northern Commercial Com
pany came on the river and established
posts at Aniak, Georgetown and Tokotna,
Mr. Lind scld out his buildings and went to
San Francisco to reside. Among the build
ings is one of the two wooden forts built
by the Russian Cossacks, and is a monu
ment showing how badly the natives had
the Cossacks “buffaloed.”
-«
DISASTROUS TRAIN WRECK
ON NEW YORK CENTRAL
CLEVELAND, March 29.—Three New
York Central passenger trains were mixed
up in a wreck near here today. Thirty per
sons were killed and fifty wounded.
CITY COUNMEN
Names of Aspirants for Ofnco
Who Will Be Voted on at
Tuesday’s Election
FOR COUNCILMAN
JOSEPH II. SMITH
JACK NELSON
FRANK LARSON
EARL BYERS
G, W. ALBRECHT
II. E. RILEY
El> UHL
H. II. PORTER
PAUL LAPLANT
FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE
J. J. SMITH
The mass meeting for the nomination of
candidates for members of the town coun
cil and a member of the school board was
called to order at 8:30 o’clock last Thurs
day evening at the city hall. About a score j
of persons were present, and no great spirit
of rivalry was manifested for the distinction !
of serving the municipality during the com
ing year. While a li>t of thirteen candidates ;
for the council finally was made up, four
of them withdrew their names later, leaving
nine names to be voted on to fill the seven
positions on the municipal council.
Mayor Stanton, as chairman of the meet
ing. after stating the purpose for which it
was called, proceeded to business immedi- !
atcly by call iig for nominations for mem- !
bers of the council. After practically every
one in the hall had been nominated, and
many declinations had been received, noini ;
nation of persons not present, on a chance i
that they might accept, was proceeded with.
Fcr school trustee but one nomination
was made, J. J. Smith, the incumbent, i
whose term expires this year, being named '
; nd the nominations closed.
The Election
The election is to take place next Tues- ;
day. April 4. at the city hall, the polls being
open from 9 a. m. until 8 p. m. Registra
tion of voters closed yesterday.
In view of the fact that often there has
hern n.i-understanding as to the qualifica
tions of Viters, it may he stated that all
persons, male and female. 21 years of age.
and citizens of the United States, or who
have declared their intention to become
citizens, who have resided in the territory
one year and in the town of Iditarod six
months, are enti led to vote for town offi- j
ciais and member of the school board. !
While registration is provided for, and the
law apparently had in view the making of
the provision obhgatory on those who de- j
sired to exercise the franchise, it has been
held heretofore that the fact that a person
is not registered dee- not act as a bar. if he
or she possess the other qualifications of a
voter.
Of the councilmen whose terms are about
to expire, but two Herb Riley and Joe
Smith -would al ow their names to be ; re
sen ted for reir minatien.
Selection of Mayor
Heretofore it has been the custom for the
councilman receiving the highest vote at
the election to become president of the coun
cil. cr mayor, by virtue of that fact, al
though there is no warrant in law for such
a practice. The last territorial legislature
provided that a special election might be
held in incorporated towns in order to de
termine whether the office of mayor should
be voted on separately; hut as Iditarod did ;
net take advantage of the privilege, it H
probable that the old custom will prevail, i
While no great interest has been mani
fested in the election to date, it is probable
that the few days before the election will
see some activity displayed, as it is more
than likely that for the first time in three
years a council will be cailn<l upon to pro
vide revenue in addition to that received as
the municipality’s share of the license
money paid into the district court, to pay
running expenses.
-❖
ORGANIZATIONS OF SEATTLE
INTERESTING THEMSELVES
IN WELFARE OF ALASKA
SEATTLE, March 30. The Seattle Com
i mcrcial Club has protested against the use I
of Colorado marble in the construction of i
the new Arctic Club building. They want
the Alaska product to be used.
Robert Bridges, president of the port of
: Seattle commission, has wired to Senator
i Poindexter of Washington urging that the
government charter vessels to operate be
tween Seattle and Alaska in an effort to i
j break the combination of the steamships en
i gaged in that trade.
-*
ALASKA PROHIBITION BILL
WILL NOT BE ENACTED
DURING PRESENT SESSION
—
WASHINGTON. March 28.—1The house |
judiciary committee has voted to postpone :
indefinitely consideration of all suffrage and
i prohibition proposals now before it.
The suffrage leaders concede that their
i efforts to bring the Anthony amendment be
i fore the house at this session probably will
be defeated.
The Democratic senators have held a
caucus to discuss the free sugar clause of
the tariff act.
_a.___
CHAMPION JESS WILLARD
WINS BATTLE ON POINTS
NEW ORLEANS, March 25.—By win
i ning his fight with Moran in this city to
night, Jess Willard retains the heavyweight
I world’s championship. He was awarded the
j fight on points. He claims that an injured
hand prevented him from delivering a
knockout. Thirteen thousand persons wit
nessed the contest.
IDITAROD COMMERCIAL CLUB
GIVES ITS INDORSEMENT
TO BIDDERS ON CONTRACTS
An effort is to be made by local people
to secure one or more of the contracts for
carrying Alaska mail by aeroplane, for
which service the postoffice department i;
asking bids, and which are to be opened on
April 12 next. For some time past A. E.
Meacham and Earl Byers have been inves
tigating the subject of aeroplane trans
portation, with a view to establishing a
line of air craft between this city and Sew
ard. They have been in correspondence
with the manufacturers of air craft, and
have fully satisfied themselves of the feasi
bility of the plan to carry passengers and
light freight over the route mentioned.
They have satisfied influential local peopl"
of their ability to carry out any contract <
that they may secure from the government, |
and will make an earnest effort to land one j
or more of the plums.
At a special meeting of the executive j
board of the Iditarod Commercial Club,
held Thursday evening, the plans of Messrs. 1
Meacham and Byers were explained, and the
hearty indorsement of that organization was
secured. Other Alaska commercial organ
izations will be communicated with, to the
end that the local men may secure the sup
port which, as residents of the territory to
be served by the proposed aerial service,
they feci thev have a right to expect.
_A
CAMPAIGN OF ADVERTISING
IN BEHALF OF PREPAREDNESS
—
NEW YORK, March 29. -President Wil
son and Secretary of the Navy Daniels have
authorized the committee on industrial pre
paredness to accept an offer of the Asso- !
dated Advertising Clubs to conduct a free
nationwide advertising campaign in behalf
of that propaganda.
Would Have Two Navies
WASHINGTON. March 26. Hear Ad
miral Sperry advocates a bond issue for the
purpose of raising money to construct two '
navies, one on the Atlantic and one on the \
Pacific.
♦
PASS APPROPRIATION BILLS
AND SET TIME FOR VOTE
- I
WASHINGTON, March 29. The senate
has passed the Indian appropriation bill,
carrying $12,000,000. It has also passed |
the emergency appropriation to cover the :
expense of the Mexican military expedition. ,
A vote on the confirmation of Louis D.
Brandeis, to be associate justice of the su
preme court, is expected on Saturday next. ;
AMERICANS ENTERTAINED
IN SOUTH AMERICAN CITY
RIO I)E JANEIRO, March 28. William
Ci. McAdoo, secretary of the treasury of the
United States, with the members of the
United States section of the international
high commission, were entertained today at
a banquet by Brazilian members of con- i
gress and cabinet ministers.
♦--*
CABLE PROBABLY SEVERED
AND HOLLAND IS ISOLATED
LONDON. March 30.—The complete sus
pension of communication between Holland
and England is reported, and from Copen
hagen comes the rumor that the cable has
been cut by the Germans. No press dis
patches have been received here from Hol
land since Tuesday.
—♦
EICHT-HCUR DAY DEMANDED
BY RAILROAD TRAINMEN
NEW YORK, March 30. The demands
of four hundred thousand railroad train
men for an eight-hour day without reduc- |
tion in pay have been presented to officials 1
of the railroad companies. The roads in
volved have been given until April 29 to '
reply.
SQUABBLES WITH LABOR
DEVELOP SERIOUS SITUATION
LONDON, March 31 David Lloyd1
George, the minister of munitions, has de
cided to break off negotiations with the la
bor leaders. Discussion in the house of
commons has brought out the fact that
the most needed guns have been held up in
the course of manufacture bv strikes.
-«►
DARING FEAT CF GERMAN
ON BOARD BRITISH VESSEL
LEWIS, Del., March 31. A lone German
stowaway on board a British steamship en
route from New York to Vladivostok held
up the captain and crew, destroyed the
radio plant and forced the vessel’s course
to be changed.
—
JAPANESE AND RUSSIANS
ARE PARCELING OUT CHINA
PEKIN, March 31.—The Chinese govern
ment has signed an agreement permitting
Russia to construct railroads in Manchuria,
which will give that country control of
northern Manchuria. Compensation rights
have been granted to Japan in the southern
part.
FOURTH SON OF KAISER
MAY BE BELGIUM’S RULER
LONDON, March 28—August Wilhelm,
the fourth son of the German kaiser, is to
assist General Von Bissing, governor general
of Belgium, with a view to ultimately suc
ceeding him.
GARY INDICTMENT QUASHED
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, March 28.—Judge
Anderson today granted a motion to quash
the indictments found against E. H. Gary,
president of the United States Steel Corpora
tion, and others, charged with conspiracy
in restraint of trade in agreeing to a uni
form wage schedule.
VILLA HAKES HIS ESCAPE
BtJT IS AGAIH TRAPPED
SAN ANTONIO, March 31.—Villa escaped from
the trap mto which he was forced by the combined
forces of Mexicans and Americans. He was pursued
by three columns of American cavalry two hundred
and fifty miles south of the border. General Per
shing expects a long and hard campaign.
Villa killed I 72 men of the garrison at Guerrero
and then moved northward, and is now somewhere
on the headwaters of the Santa Maria river. He
must make a stand soon and fight, as he is nearly
hemmed in.
Wireless reports received at Columbus say that
Villa is again trapped, and scouts have reported an
engagement between the Villa and Carranza forces.
As Viewed in Washington
WASHINGTON, March 30.—Much uneasiness is
felt over the Mexican situation, and the Republican
members of congress have held conferences to de
termine upon a plan to send more troops to Mexico.
Carranza has consented to the use by the Lmted
States troops of the Mexican Northwestern railroad
for the transportation of supplies. Genera! Per
shng leaves this morning.
Carranza’s consul general here has received word
that General Reyes, the Villa chief, has asked am
nesty for himself and his men, and is willing to sur
render to General Trevino.
News from the Border
COLUMBUS, Texas, March 29.—Confirmation
of the news that General Pershing is using the Mexi
can railroad is sent in a news telegram telling of a
wreck in which ten troopers were injured and one
killed.
A detachment of the de facto government sol
d.ers have co-operated with Villa instead of vv, th his
pursuers, and are aiding hirn to escape. American
cavalry is in hot pursuit.
Army headquarters of the aero corps have been
established at a field station 120 miles south of Casas
Grandes. Six planes are m operation.
Villa Shot in the Leg
EL PASO, March 31. General Gavira Juarez has received a
private message saying that Villa has been shot in the 1'g
The United States must pay duty on supplies transported over
Mexican roads.
The ranch of C. E. Kelly, former mayor of El Paso, located
thirty-two miles east of this city, has been raidetl by Mexican ban
dits. who took the cattle and beat the caretaker.
The pursuit of Wla has been greatly hampered by lack of
railroad communication, transportation for the troops having been
refused.
Tear Up American Flags
SAX DIEGO. March 30. Mexican peons tore up American
{lags on the streets of Mazatlan upon learning of the American
expedition into Mexico.
Apache Scouts to Be Enlisted
PAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 29- Twenty Apache Indian
scouts will be selected by the commander of Fort Apache Er serv
ice with Pershing.
Forces Peons to Join Army
CAPAS GRANDER. March 27.—-Villa is fleeing south, and is
increasing his army by forcing the peons to join.
Vi ia may continue to flee until joined by the Arrieta brotoers
and General Reyes.
More Americans Murdered
DOUGLAS. Ariz., March 28. Three Americans, two women
and one man, have been killed by Mexicans eight miles east of
here.
-♦
BRITISH TROOPS REINFORCE VERDUN LINES
German Advance Checked
PARIS, March 31.—The pressure on Verdun still
is severe. The war office has admitted that the
German wedge pierced Malincourt, but claims that
all attempts at further advances have been checked.
British Occupy One-Fourth of Line
LONDON. March 30.—British troops have re
placed the French on the western line at Verdun, and
now hold one-fourth of the lines of defense. The
Germans attempted to break the line near Beth n
court, but were driven back. The bombardment of
Verdun continues.
Claim Crisis Is Passed
VERDUN, March 28.—The crisis of the German
attack has passed. Their infantry is inactive and
the artillery fire in the Vaux-Daumont region has
slackened.
Hawitzer Fire Starts Conflagration
BERLIN, March 26.—The city of Verdun is in
flames from the howitzer fire, according to a state
ment issued from army headquarters.
--♦
IMMIGRATION BILL AND DEFENSE MEASURES
WASHINGTON, March 31.—The immigration bill,
with the literacy test and Asiatic exclusion clause in
j eluded, passed the house today by a big majority.
The senate is thought to be favorable to the measure.
This is practically the same bill that was vetoed by
President Wilson last session, and it had been vetoed
previously by President Taft.
Consideration of the army increase bill, the first of
the big national defence measures, has been begun in
the senate. Its speedy disposition is hoped fa;.