Pioneer
. IDITAROd! ALASkTsATURDAY MORNING. APRIL^I. 1917 ”cents percoft
FIRING OFF(OAST
CAUSES FLURRY
_ !
First Intimation of War Operations
in Which Americans Are En
gaged—Submarine Story
Declared to Be Myth
BOSTON. April IS. The roar of naval
guns was heard of! Boston this morning, j
The coast guard stations at Race Point. ;
Peaked Hill and Bar High Head all heard i
heavy guns fired in quick succession at 9:40
o’clock this morning. Shipping all along
the coast was notified of a probable naval
engagement. ,
The stations mentioned are otf Province- j
town and adjacent to Cape Cod. The en- j
gagement was re{>orted north of the extreme ;
point of Cape Cod. While the firing was |
slistinct and great in volume, all the vessels
engaged were below the horizon.
Immediately after the receipt of the re
ports the Charlestown navy yard showed
the greatest activity since war was de
clared. Wireless orders to various ships of |
Hhc patrol fleet began to sputter from the j
big sending stations of the radio service.
Destroyer Fired Upon
BOSTON. April 17. The United States !
torpedo boat destroyer Smith reported to- !
✓lay being fired upon by a German sub
marine in American waters The torpedo |
missed the destroyer about thirty yards. Im
mediately after firing the U-boat submerged, j
WASHINGTON. April 18. The report of.
the commander of the destroyer Smith to j
the navy department substantiates the re
port of tile- submarine attack on that vessel.
Germans Deny Story
BERLIN, April 19.- The reported attack
by a German submarine upon the American
destroyer ‘Smith can be described ns frivo
lous, and as a means of attributing to Ger
many the opening of hostilities against the
United States, says an official statement.
No German submarines are yet in the west
ern half of the Atlantic, it says.
Big Radio Station to Be Established
WASHINGTON, April 14. Woody island
has been chosen as the site of a big radio
station which the navy is about to establish
to connect Alaska stations with the lower
Pacific coast, to insure against interruption
of communication through the loss of the |
cable on account of the enemy or by acci
-dent.
National Guard to Be on War Footing
WASHINGTON, April 14. Secretary of
W ar Baker today approved the decision of
the judge advocate general, which fore- I
shadows raising the strength of the National i
Guard to 900,000 and placing it on a war
footing.
Japanese to Protect Pacific Coast
SAN FRANCISCO, April 10. -Cables from
Japanese newspapers at Tokio say that the
Japanese admiralty has announced that “the
Pacific coast of the United State* is safe
from the depredations of any enemy divers I
through the protection afforded by the Jap
anese navy."
Cannot Evade Service by Marrying
WASHINGTON, April 19. Men of mili
tary age who have married since the state
of war was declared will not escape their
obligation for military service, under the
war department policy formally announced :
today.
To Use Lewis Guns
WASHINGTON, April 19.—The war de
partment has placed an emergency order for j
t>,000 Lewis machine guns.
INDICATIONS OF RETREAT
IN LOOTING OF BELGIUM
HAVRE, France, March 21.—Advices
from Belgium through secret sources indi
cate that the Germans are looting the
country as completely as possible, and it is
believed that, realizing the possibility of
being forced to give it up this summer, noth
ing of value is to be left.
General von Bissing, governor general of
Belgium, has issued a decree ordering the
seizure throughout Belgium of certain parti
des for removal to Germany when the
quantities held by any owner exceed certain
specified numbers or weights.
There are sixty articles on the list, in
cluding table cloths, napkins, silks, manu
factured or raw; waterproof stuffs and gar
ments, oilcloths, woollen yarns, fibers of all
sorts, . animal hair, bristles, felt, old or new
blankets, tarpaulin, leggings, knee bandages
and other sanitary articles.
The country, according to advices received
here, is being emptied under this decree of
everything useful to Germany.
AMERICAN DISPATCH BOAT
INTERNED AT GOLDEN HORN
LONDON, April 16 —The Turkish war
office has announced that the American gun
boat Scorpion, stationed at Constantinople
as a dispatch boat for the United States
.embassy, has been interned.
GERMAN CITY BOMBARDED
AS AN ACT OF REPRISAL
BERLIN, April 17. Official announce
ment by the war office says that eleven per
sons were killed, twenty-nine were injured
and considerable damage was done to the 1
university buildings by an air attack on ;
Freiburg, Baden.
Attack Is Admitted
LONDON, April 17. The admiralty an
nounces that British and French aeroplanes
bombarded the city of Freiburg on Saturday
last as an act of reprisal for German sub
marine attacks on British hospital ships.
NEW MEXICAN AMBASSADOR
IS AN OPTIMISTIC CUSS
WASHINGTON, April 18,-Ignicio Bo
nillas was formally accepted today as am
bassador to the Ignited States from Mexico.
He said that constitutional government
would be restored in Mexico by May 1
THE PRICE^OF WHEAT
CHICAGO. April 14. The price of
wheat jumped today to $2.25 per bushel.
SPANISH CABINET RESIGNS
MADRID, April 19. The members of
the cabinet tendered their resignations to
the king today.
BRYAN CONFERS WITH WILSON
WASHINGTON. April 16. President j
Wilson conferred with William J. Bryan
this morning in the President's rooms, be
fore leaving for his office.
BRIDGE COLLAPSES
El. PASO, Texas. April 16.- A section
of the International bridge collapsed this
morning, injuring a number of Mexicans j
who were crossing.
CONFERS WITH CONGRESSMEN
WASHINGTON. April IS. President Wil
son went to the capitoi today for conference
with congressional leaders on the adminis
tration army bill and other measures.
WHEAT ON*FREE LIST
OTTAWA. April 17.—The government ;
has placed wheat and flour on the free list, J
thus opening United States markets to Can- ,
sda and Canadian markets to the United |
States in these products.
WASHINGTON WINS
OAKLAND, Cal., April 14, The boat
crew from the University of Washington j
won by four lengths over California and >
Stanford universities today in the annual |
boat race.
BIG WHEAT* SHIPMENTS
SEATTLE, April IS. The railroads an- j
nounced today that a hundred cars of wheat j
per day will be shipped from Washington
and Oregon during the next two months I
to the Atlantic seaboard for export to the
allied nations.
LLOYD GEORGE’S WARNING
LONDON, April 16.—Premier Lloyd
George today urged a committee of agricul- j
turists to do their utmost to raise food,
"since we may have to feed our army and
navy as well as ourselves on home-grown
food."
A.__
NOTORIOUS MURDERER
SAWS WAY OUT OF PRISON
AND IS KILLED BY FARMER
JUNEAl^. April 16— Edward Krause,
under sentence of death, who escaped last
Thursday from the local federal jail, was
killed yesterday afternoon at Doty cove, Ad
miralty island, sixteen miles from Juneau,
by Albert Franzen, formerly of Nome, who
has a homestead at that place.
Krause was forced to go ashore because
of lack of food, and approached the house
of Franzen, who covered him with a gun
and asked him if he were Krause. The
latter admitted his identity and started to
run behind the house. Franzen shot twice.
One bullet penetrated the body just over
the heart, and the second struck the fugi
tive in the head, over the left eye.
Krause was not armed, and the fact that
he had no food shows that he had no ac
complices in his escape. A case knife with
nicked edges found on the body shows the
paethod he used in cutting the bars of the
jail.
-«
SEATTLE BROKER MURDERED
SEATTLE, April 19—A. Rehfield, a
broker, was murdered in his offices in the
Joshua Green building this afternoon. After
firing the fatal shot the murderer made his
escape. Nothing is known as to the cause
of the tragedy. Rehfield made a dying
statement accusing N. L. Bailey, to whom
he apparently had loaned $50 on a ring.
LATEST BY TIRELESS
Columbus, O., April 20. —An attempt was made this morning to
blow up the Ohio state house. The military authorities recovered
an electric contrivance that was designed to set off a box of dyna
mite which a stranger endeavored to place under the office of the
state treasurer. The culprit, becoming alarmed before he had fin
ished his deadly work, made his escape.
Wants Declaration from Russian Socialists
Washington, April 20.—Representative London, the Socialist
member of congress, in a cablegram today to a friend in Petrograd,
who is a member of the Russian duma, urged the publication of an
authorative statement declaring that the Socialists of Russia do
not favor a separate peace with Germany.
Preparing for Another Russian Drive
Petrograd, April 20.—Great masses of German troops are being
placed along the Dvina and Riga fronts which are apparently pre
paring for a great general drive towards this city. It is learned
that many troops of the Central powers are being withdrawn from
the southern battle front to participate in the new attack on Petro
grad.
Strikes in German Munitions Plants
Amsterdam, April 20.—A special telegram to the Telegraaf of
this city says that strikes have again broken out among the em
ploves of the great Krupp factories at Essen, and at other muni
tion factories in Germany.
“Old Glory” in Strange Surroundings
London, April 20.—The United Kingdom celebrated “American
Day” today, and this city was gaily decorated in honor of the
event. “Old Glory” floats from the majestic spires of the British
parliament buildings for the first time in history. King George
and Queen Mary took part in the ceremonies.
Nicaragua Indorses Our Position
Washington, April 20.—The state department has been advised
that the government of Nicaragua, has endorsed the entry of the
United States into the war.
Venezuela Considers War Policy
Oaracoa, April 20.—The Venezuelan congress convened today
for the purpose of amending its policy' regarding the war.
Alaska Cannery Tug Sinks
Vancouver, B. C., April 20.—The cannery tug Thistle of San
Francisco, bound from Seattle to Nushagak, sunk off Glenn island
yesterday. The crew was rescued by the steamship Admiral Far
ragut.
Billingsleys Receive Light Sentences
Seattle, April 20.—Both Prosecuting Attorney Allen and Attor
ney Fames asked the court for leniency for the Billingsley broth
ers, the convicted bootleggers. Logan Billingsley stated to the
court that he felt he did not deserve a sentence to the peniten
tiary. “I simply' kicked myself into jail, said Fred; the gov
ernment did not have even a scrap of paper against me.
Logan Billingsley was sentenced to thirteen months at McNeil’s
island, Ora to one month and Fred to three months in the King
county jail.____
GERMAN REVOLT
IN SOUTH BRAZIL
Rebels Are Well Equipped with
Guns and Ammunition—Popu
lace of Capital Demands
War and Fires Embassy
BUENOS AYRES. April 19.-Brazil's
German states, Rio Grande, Parana and
Santa Catharina, have revolted, according
to dispatches from Montevideo, Uruguay,
today. The revolting states are well armed
and have some artillery. Brazil’s censorship
is rigid, and it is impossible to get any
details.
Populace Demand* War
BUENOS AYRES, April 16—The Ger
man legation and consulate were set on fire
by mobs which surged through the streets
demanding war with Germany today. The
chief of police was stoned when he endeav
ored to disperse the rioters.
Brazilian* Seize Geramn Ships
RIO JANEIRO, April 17.—The seizure
of interned German ships in Brazilian ports
has been completed.
The foreign minister cabled the Brazilian
minister at Berlin on Saturday last to urge
Brazilians in Germany to leave within
twenty-four hours.
Bolivia Falls In Line
LA PAZ, April 14.—The German minister
and his staff have been handed their pass
ports by the Bolivian government, with a
note declaring diplomatic relations severed.
Argentine Is Aroused
BUENOS AYRES, April 14—The Argen
tine sailing ship Monte Protegido has been
sunk in European waters. The people are
greatly aroused. The ship was shelled and
members of the crew were wounded.
TYRANNOUS GERMAN RULER
REPORTED TO BE DEAD
LONDON, April 19.—Reuter’s Brussels
correspondent says that General von Bissing,
the German governor general of Belgium,
died last night.
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O BOSTON, April 19.—James W. O
O Gerard, late United States ambassa- O
O dor at Berlin, said in a speech here O
O last night that Germany planned O
O through her submarine campaign, O
O "when England should be subdued O
O by hunger, to come over to the O
O United States and collect the price O
O of the war from us.” O
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SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS
PROVIDED BY CONGRESS
FOR PROSECUTING WAR
WASHINGTON, April 18.—By agreement
the debate in the senate on the $7,000,000,
000 war bond bill was closed at 7 o’clock
on Saturday evening last. The bill as ap
proved by the finance committee was placed
on passage last night, and after the addi
tion of a few minor amendments, was
passed.
Revited Income Tax
WASHINGTON, April 16—The revised
arrangement for a super tax on incomes
would be as follows: On incomes of $3,000,
1 per cent; $4,000, 2 per cent; $10,000, 5
per cent; $20,000, 7 (>er cent; $40,000, 8
per cent; $60,000, 10 per cent; $80,000, 12
per cent; $100,000, 15 per cent. On in
comes in excess of $100,000 the tax ranges
from 20 to 40 per cent.
DISTRIBUTION *0F FOOD
AND FIXING OF PRICES
UNDER NATIONAL CONTROL
WASHINGTON, April 17—Legislation
to empower the council for national defense
to supervise the distribution of food and,
if necessary, fix maximum and minimum
prices, is being framed.
GERMAN RADICAL PAPER
TELLS PEOPLE THE TRUTH
AMSTERDAM, April 14.—The Socialist
newspaper Voerwarts of Berlin says that
the German government must have courage
ko tell the German people the whole truth,
which is simply that it is impossible to
dictate terms of peace to a world of ene
mies.
HEAD OF BRITISH NAVY
MAKES SOME SUGGESTIONS
LONDON, April 17— Admiral Jellico,
first sea lord, said today that the United
States should contribute everything possible
in the way of small craft, which are the
most effective means of defense against sub
marines. He regards mines as a greater
danger than submarines, and says that the
best hunting ground for raiders is on the
European side of the Atlantic. The ad
mire! says that submarines cannot operate
effectively on the American side without a
base there.
AUSTRIA’S YOUNG EMPEROR
CENTER OF PITIABLE SCENE
AMSTERDAM, April IS. Tijd’s Vienna
correspondent pictures the Emperor Charles
as leading in prayer at St. Stephen's church
on Sunday, surrounded by his sobbing sub
jects, imploring peace.
SPRING ^COLORADO
MONTROSE. Colo.. April 19— Three feet
of snow fell today in southwestern Colorado.
TRAGEDY IN SENATE GALLERY
WASHINGTON, April 19.—T. ,1. Ma
honey, an Omaha lawyer, dropped dead in
the gallery of the senate chamber today.
JUDGE JENNINGS REAPPOINTED
WASHINGTON, April IS. President
Wilson today nominated Judge Robert
Jennings of Juneau for reappointment as
judge of the First judicial division of Alaska.
MAINTAIN SECRECY
WASHINGTON, April IS - The British
commissioners arrived in Washington to
day. The greatest secrecy is maintained as
to their movements.
WAR MEASURE IN NEW YORK
NEW YORK, April 18.—Mayor Mitchel
announced today that beginning May 1 all
night liquor licenses will be canceled for
the duration of the war.
A. . --
SEATTLE CHARACTER DEAD
SEATTLE, April 17.- Frank Clancy, a
pioneer saloon man of this city, and a noted
figure in the early history of Seattle, died
yesterday at Wallace, Idaho, from pneu
monia.
NOTED SEATTLEITE ILL
WASHINGTON, April 18.— Will H. Parry
of Seattle, member of the federal trade
commission, is dangerously ill from compli
cations which developed following an op
eration.
SUGGESTIONS^ TO BIG LOAN
WASHINGTON, April lS.-Secretary of
the Treasury McAdoo requests that the
bankers throughout the country make sug
gestions to him as to the best plan for the
disposal of the $7,000,000,000 in bonds to
be authorized by congress.
GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR
SEATTLE, April 16.—Sixteen German
prisoner? of war, who have been held at the
immigration detention station, left Seattle
today for Angel Island, California, w'here
they will be interned for the duration of the
war.
-*
PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN
FOUND FOULLY MURDERED
IN OUTSKIRTS OF SEATTLE
SEATTLE, April 18.—Bonny Florence
Wehn, wife of James Wehn, a local sculptor,
and daughter of Policeman Paul Hawbris,
was found dead in a gulch west of Wheeler
street this morning, apparently murdered by
thugs. Wehn was the designer of the monu
ment to Chief Seattle.
The murder has thoroughly perplexed the
police. Mrs. Wehn left her mother's home
at 10 o’clock last night to return to her
own home. Her husband was working at
night at the university on a sculpture of the
late Professor Orson Benson Johnson.
Seven wounds on the body indicated that
the young woman had died after a desperate
struggle. She was 28 years old, and pretty,
and formerly worked as a telephone oper
ator. She had been married two years.
SEATTLE, April 19.—'The Wehn murder
mystery is still unsolved.
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GERMANS TO BE DISCHARGED
SEATTLE, April 17.—The government
has ordered Seattle steamship lines to dis
charge all unnaturaliied Germans and Aus
trians from their employ.
GRAND DUKE BORIS ARRESTED
PETROGRAD, April 14.—Grand Duke
Boris, a cousin of C*ar Nicholas, has been
arrested at army headquarters and interned.
MIGHTY BATTLE
RAGING IH WEST
I _
Germans Are Pressed Back, and
Many Thousands of Prisoners
Are Captured by the Brit
ish and French Forces
LONDON, April 14.—A dispatch from
the British headquarters in France, dated
today, says that the British forces broke
the German front for a distance of four
miles and that the Germans are in retreat
in the direction of Vimy. Strong enemy po
sitions between Givenchy, Eneguille and the
Ancre have been seized, and progr* ss made
north of Baupaume on the Cambrai road
The village of Fayet Mille, northwest of St.
Quentin, has been captured.
On a twelve-mile front on the River
Scarpe, to the south of Loos, in the direction
of Lille, the British have pressed back the
Germans and captured six villages, gaining
a fooling in the German trenches to the
. northeast.
It is announced that 13,000 German*
have been captured by the British on the
western front since Monday, together with
■ 166 guns.
Intense Artillery Fighting
PARIS, April 14.— Artillery fighting con
j tinues with marked intensity in Champaigne.
i The war office announces that the French
j patrols arc active, aud have brought back
| many prisoners.
Germani Say Attacks rail
BERLIN, April 14.—“Northeast of Arras
! and on the River Scarpe there is a pause in
; the fighting,” says the officisd report today,
j “On both banks of the Somme strong enemy
forces again advanced against our St. Quen
tin positions, but the attacks failed under
heavy losses, the British leaving three offi
cers and two hundred men in our hand*.’’
Belgians Reach German Second Lirei
PARIS, April 16.—The Belgians have
j penetrated Dixmude as far as the German
' second lines.
During the night the French penetrated
i the German second line at several points in
| Alsace, and found many dead in the
j trenches.
Germani Battle Desperately
j LONDON, April 16.— The war office an
nounces that the British are fighting their
j way into Lens. They have captured great
I stores of guns 3nd ammunition in Lievin, a
| west side suburb. The Germans are burn
: ing Lens, and being reinforced, they are
j battling desperately to stay the British ad
j vanee
Forty Miles of Trenchet Captured
PARIS, April 17.—The French, attacking
after a day’s artillery preparation, captured
several German lines between Soissons and
Rheims, together with more than ten thou
sand prisoners. The war office announces
that the fighting is described as of the ut
most violence.
As a result of the French operations of
yesterday, last night and this morning, forty
5 miles of the line have been wrested from
! the Germans, whose casualties are estimated
| at a hundred thousand in killed, wounded
| and prisoners.
Raini Hampering Oper*tlon$
LONDON, April 17.—The British made
further advances in the neighborhood of
i Epeby lsst night, according to the war of
J fice. Rains have caused a stoppage of
! operations.
One of Mightiest Battles
BERLIN, April 18.—One of the mightiest
battles of this great war, and therefore also
in the world's history, says the official
statement today, is in progress on the River
Aisne. It is announced that three thou
sand French were captured yesterday.
Strong Positions Captured
PARIS. April 18.—Continuing the attacks
between Soissons and Rheims and east of
the latter place, the French have carried
the first line positions over many miles of
front, and captured powerfully organised
heights, occupying the important village of
Auberive and two miles of this part of the
front. Five hundred prisoners were taken.
Fighting Renewed with Fresh Troop*
PARIS, April 19.—French soldiers who
won the first fine between Soissons and
Rheims on Monday have been relieved by
fresh formations, and the Becond phase of
the battle was resumed with vigor today.
More French Osina
PARIS, April 20.—The French
forces are still sweeping onward. They
hare occupied three villages in the
vicinity of Laon, and have made gains
in the viciniiy of Craonne, and also in
Cbampaigne.
Qermana Reinforced
The Germans brought up twelve di
visions during the night to stem the
French advance.
DIVINE SA*RAH IS ILL
NEW YORK, April 18.—Sarah Bernhardt
is dangerously ill in this city. Kidney dis
ease is given u the cause a! her Illness.