Sfyr lailt) Proaftpctor
PUBL.I8HHD BT
STEWART A SHLBY, Proprietor*
TiUWZ, ALASKA
Published Dally Hxoapt Sunday
Sintered aa Seoond-Claas Mall Matter,
JhMy 23, 1912. at the poetoAce of Valdes.
AsSska, under aot of March 3. 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Daily Prospector.
By oarrler, per month ...$ 1.00
By mail, oer annum .,.>10.00
Thr Weekly Miner.
The Dally Prospector and Weekly
Miner, by mail, to one address
only, per year ._a__B1AS3
Hardness Office and Bdltorlal Rooms.
3y oarrler, par month . s* .10
By mall, per aannra ..> s.on
rim Dally Prospector and Weok
fc- Miner, by oarrler, to one ad
dress. per month..A l-2£
TBL. IBS
Advertising Rates aa Application.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1010
VALDEZ HIT HARD 1IY FIRE.
Valdez has again suffered incalcu
lnb.e ioss from fire. Many of our
magnificent stores are in ashes and
businesses will be disorganized for a
few days. But we trust that our peo
ple will bear this loss with the same
degree of calmness they manifested
in last year’s conflagration. T.ia;
the whole town was not destroyed is
due to the efficient fire company and
the work of our citizens, who fought
valiantly in zero weather to save the
property of others.
But do not be discouraged. The
town will arise from her ashes bigger
and grander than ever. Our position
is too secure to be jeopardized by A
fire loss, no matter how stupendous.
The spirit of optimism manifested by
our citizens in the conflagration of
last year, when a half million dollars
worth of property was destroyed,
can again place this city in the van—
and will.
To those who sulfered from the
fire this morning—and there are
many—the Prospector extends its
sympathy. The spirit manifested by
our citizens in extending help to those
who lost their all is a noble spirit,
found only in the Northland, and this
same spirit will reconstruct the town.
Let us keep up our courage and
pull together in this hour of adver
sity, and the town will rapidly rise
to the front as a commercial center
once again.
While the blow is a heavy one the
damage is not irreparable unless we
lose faith in our town.
ENGLAND AS SPOKESMAN.
On first thought it would appear
Groat Britain would be the most de
termined of all the entente nations in
resisting peace proposals of the cen
tral powers. The reason for this is
that we have become accustomed to:
think of the war’s being waged chief
ly between England and Germany,
with the other powers arrayed in the
background. The hymns of hate have
been chanted back and forth between
these two belligerent nations only.
Yet Great Britain probably is the
most disinterested of the allies— it
any nation can be said to be disinter
ested—for the reason that it has no
territorial aspirations and because
none of its territory is in enemy
hands.
Apart rrom tne aiptomauc eniar-|
glements which bound her to Russia j
France went to war to win back her j
beloved Alsace and Lorraine. The
first French move was to occupy a
part of Alsace and critics have since
doubted that this sentimental move
was good strategy in view of the need
of all the French forces in the path of
the German sweep through Belgium
and Luxemburg. But it shows the
French greed for territory and her de
sire for “revanche.” Moreover a con
eiderable part of France, probably 15
per cent—is in German hands. There
could be no peace for France until
this territory is evacuated and proba
bly France would demand compen
sation to boot.
Russia also is welded to the chain
of Mars. Germany, it appears, pro
poses to convert Russian Poland into
an independent kingdom under an
Austrian ruler. Although the czar is
rich in acres he would not view with
equanimity any scheme to deprive
him of Poland and Lithunia. Besides
Russia's heart is het on the Darda
nelles, which it has coveted for over
a thousand years, and the hope oi suc
cess is a spur to Russian resolve.
Italy, like France, cherises revenge.
Triest and Trentino are to be Italy’s
share in the war. Belgium has n?
territorial aspiration, but wants her
land restored intact and probab’y will
demand a round indemnity. Serbia is
in Belgium's position and realizes the
possibility under a peace arrangement
of losing a part of her territory to
Bulgaria. Japan’8 part in the war
is almost negligible, but she has seiz
ed Germany’s Chinese possessions and
will undoubtedly hold on to them
like grim death.
England’s pretext tor going to war
to protect the small nations anil to
maintain the integrity of treaty obli
gations—that is, England, ostensi
bly at least, went to war to pr.iteot
Belgium. The only official announce
ment of Britain’s attitude toward
peace was that made by Andrew Bo
rar Law this week when he said peace
could be accepted only on a basis of
reparation for the past and adecuate
security for the future. The com
monest interpretation of this stat*
raent is that England would demand
a fat indemnity for Belgium as well
as some kind of guarantee against fu
ture danger to the allies.
Just what these "guarantees ’
would consist of is not revealed but
possibly it has something to do with
the military establishment.
In this connection it is interesting
to note that the German embassy at
Washington authorized the statement
Thursday night that if a peace con
ference were held one of the most im
portant questions would be that of
limited universal disarmament Mo
doubt England would be agree to this
so far as the army is concerned, but
the navy—that is another story, and
Britain will ponder long before she
agrees to abandon her two-power na
val policy, although it might be done
with the organization of a world
peace league of which the United
States is the leading exponent.
However. England’s chief concern
is to establish a peace which will not
menace the balance of power and
which will be satisfactory to her al
lies. There is less cause for “re
venge” in England than in most of
the other ally countries. The nation
1b animated chiefly by a desire to see
Germany humbled so that there will
not be a recurrence of what it con
siders the "kaiser’s war.” The other
entente belligerents are spurred by a
double purpose.
And yet when England speaks, its
voice will be considered the voice of
authority because England is the al
lies’ banker and the spokesman for
the entente just as Germany is the
spokesman for the quadruple alliance.
WITH the true Alaska spirit the
homes of our citizens were thrown
open to the unfortunates who lost
their all by fire, and everything pos
sible done for their comfort. Many
people escaped with but what few
clothing they could grab up and put
on.
A FEW days ago Villa was report
ed as saying the European nations
would soon jump on the United States
and take its gold away and that he
would be in on the ground floor as an
ally of Europe. Now that Villa has
made overtures of peace to Uncle Sam'
he may figures that the ground floor is
a chilly one.
NOTICE—Electrical heaters, cook
ers. percolators, vacuum-cleaners,
will be advanced in prices after New
years, by the manufacturers. Stock
on hand will be sold at prevailing
prices, at the Emporium.
Location notices, ootn quartz and
placer, at the Miner office.
New Year Resolution.
Your first New Year resolution
should be: “Resolved, That 1 will
lake out both Life and Fire insur
ance and have the Alaska Inv. Con -
pany write my policies.” 2t
The best dinner at the Arcade
Cafe. tf
Best Sourdough hotcakea and beat
coffee at the Arcade. tf
Fresh Box candy at Hunt’s Candy
Kitchen. A new line opened. tf
Every doflar that you spend
in town is a SHOT FROM
A 42 CENTIMETER GUN
FOR TOWN PREPARED
NESS.
tom cut MAKE THIS TOWN
HUM if you do «U ynonhnyh*
1mm. Tho koatiMKkutWIU,
NOT AEUSE jrw cpofld.y.
TRADE WITH. HIM
(Continued from Page One)
Frye-Bruhn Co., damage to build
ing and stock about $500.
Empress Theatre, building owned
by Mrs. Rose Blackwell, loss about
$7,000; partly insured.
A. E. Lathrop, damage to picture
cutfit, about $1,200; insurance not
known.
Other sufferers in the conflagra
tion were the BufTet, several hundred
dollars damages to plate glass win
dows and damage to stock moved out
Owl Drug Co., damage to goods mov
ed out; Mrs. Winter, damage to win
dows and to stock moved out; Alas
ka Jewelry Co., damage to stock. Val
dez Drug Co., damage to goods mov
ed ; Cable office, damage to instt u
meats and fixtures; Guy Cameron,
Crystal Barber Shop, A. C. Dieringer,
damage to goods moved out; Pioneer
Barber Shop, plate glass front; J. C.
Martin, damage to household goods
moved and others, making a total
loss of several thousand dollars.
Most of the guests in the Golden
North hotel lost their personal be
longings, aggregating several hun
dred dollars additional.
Conservative estimates place th«
total loss at from $200,000 to $300,
000.
Following the fire in the postoffice
building the Federal authorities took
Otto Kanitz into custody on suspi
cion that he was connected with the
starting of the fire in that building
at least. It is rumored that other
persons are under suspicion but the
officials refused to divulge any infor
-nation on tne subject.
It is reported that the flrem3’’
fighting the flames in the Ellis block
were driven back by the suffocatiir
fumes of burning kerosene, indicat
ing that a considerable quantity of
the oil had been used in starting the
fire in that building.
F. M. Boyle reports that his build
ings were slightly damaged by fire
and water, but that his loss will be
under $200, which is extremely for
tunate, as for a time it was believed
the building was doomed.
The loss of all the mail matter save
the registered pouches is a hard blow
to many of our citizens, and to the
Prospector in particular, as ten days'
papers were in the office awaiting
a boat. In case any of our subscrib
ers do not receive their papers they
are requested to notify us and we
will replace the destroyed copies so
far as possible, although our surplus
copies are limited.
Louie’s Cafe was again a total loss
without insurance. This is the second
heavy loss experienced by Mr. Maro
vich and the fact that he carried no
insurance makes the blow a heavy
one.
Wm. Conley, proprietor of the
Golden North, lost everything he had,
not even saving sufficient clothing to
protect him and his wife from the
Intense cold. Mrs. Conley had just
received a valuable set of silverware
from her relatives which was also lost
in the flames.
Love-Whitley’s place of business
suffered heavy damage, among other
things destroyed being a $600 cash
register. Most of the damage is con
fined to the front of the building and
the contents on display in front.
The boys from the fort worked lik ?
heores, and rendered valuable assis
tance in saving property. The officers
and men from Fort Liscum have al
ways rendered cheerful aid to the city
when needed and their assistance is
appreciated.
* While a certain party has been ar
rested in connection with the disas
trous fire, it is just as well that our
citizens reserve judgment until some
proof is forthcoming. Much harm
will result from statements emanat
ing from rumors, and if the guilty
party is apprehended our citizens can
be assured that he will receive his
just dues, so reserve your judgment
until the facts come out.
The Mayors of Cordova and Fair-,
banks sent condolences and assure
cur citizens that their towns are ready
to render all the assistance in their
power.
Capt. Nolan, In command at the
cable office, took no chances, but
moved his equipment to a place of
safety before the fire reached his
quarters. He reports probably $50
icr $100 damages to his equipment
from their enforced move, but has
things in order again and the line
open. «
The Signal Corps boys worked hard
helping save property and were of
great assistance.
BURNED OUT
Will be open for business
in new location in
i
a few days.
Announcement Later
' f
S-lBLUM & CO, Inc.
Many people moved their house
hold property into the streets, taking
no chances on the flames not reach
ing them.
The Prospector building narrowly
escaped destruction, huge brands be
ing rained against the building, but
a close watch prevented the building
from catching fire.
A rumor vyas current about town
this afternoon that a plant, ready to
fire, had been discovered in the rear
of the Buffet, but inquiry at that
place revealed that the rumor was
unfounded.
Last Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Jack
Surrhyne, who had charge of the
property, paid a visit to the house
and discovered that one of the doors
of the place, which had been vaca t
for a number of weeks had been brok
en open, and upstairs in one of the
rooms, the bed had been removed
and a great heap of bedclothing had
been piled against the wall. The
window in this room had been broken
open also. They supposed that some
one had gathered up the clothes pre
paratory to moving them away, but
in the light of subsequent events be
lieve that they were probably satu
rated with oil and fired by the fire
bug.
’ Many parties rooming in the Gold
en North lost all their clothing and
outfits, the owners being at work
down the bay at the time.
Wm. Conley, the proprietor of the
Golden North, was suffering from a
broken leg, but managed to get out
unassisted, with the loss of all his
clothing.
Great credit is due the fire depart
ment for the heroic fight made un
der the most trying circumstances,
both as regards the weaiher and the
number of places requiring their ser
vices at the one time.
A movement is on foot among the
business men of the town to raise a
substantial sum to be offered for the
arrest and conviction of the party or
parties starting this morning's con
flagration.
Several business blocks not direct
ly injured by the flames were heavy
loses by reason of the heat cracking
their plate glass windows. The Buf
fet, Valdez Drug Co., Pioneer Bar
ber Shop, Mrs. Winter and Love
Whitley were among the heaviest
losers.
Damages totaling several thousand
dollars was occasioned by the moving
of stocks from the various business
houses in the path of the advancing
flames. Despite every effort to pro
tect the stocks a number of articles
are missing, and much was damaged
by the haste in getting the stuff out
of the buildings.
The soldier boys from Liscum did,
great work both in fighting the fire
and in protecting the goods strewn
along the streets from/ those whose
sense of honesty is not normally de
veloped.
Doctor Cockerille had the misfor
tune to have a hose thrown upon his
PROFESSIONAL. CARDS.
DR. S. WICKES MERRITT
Offices over Valdes Drag Co.
Phone ’15 McKinley Street
Contract Surgeon, U. S. Army
A. A. Surgeon, U S. Public Health Serv.
(Marine Hospital)
DONOHOE & DIMGND
ATTOKNEYS-AT-LAW
Office Opposite Court House
Phone St VALDEZ. ALASKA
JOHN LFONfc « IT HTTCHIB
LYONS & RITCHIE
ATTORNEYS- AT-LAVV
Offices In »• •■elu.ff Hullilln*
I-hoee 1*1 VALDEZ. ALASKA
DR. H. COCKERILLE
Graduate National University
Washington, D. C.
DENTIST
Fourteen Years In Valdes.
PBOM 110
Office Rooms In Whaling Building
ASA C. BALDWIN
CIVIL ENGINEER
U. S. Mineral Surveyor
McKinley Street opposite V. M. Store.
Valdes, Alaska
crippled foot during the excitement
attending the fire.
Mayor Paterson worked like a Tro
jan with the fireboys in helping to
save property.
The fire boys stood by their task
nobly and undoubtedly saved the bal
ance of the business section.
Our streets presented the appear
ance of a furniture store during the
progress of the Are. Pianos, dressers,
household furniture and personal be
longings of all kinds were scattered
from Sherman street to the middle of
the wharf in an endeavor to save
them.
The Pinzon’s magniAcent billiard
parlors were a total loss. Messrs.
Levy & Ross had one of the Anest es
tablishments in the north. The boys
will reopen for business in the old
Pinzon building.
Valdez’ splendid new playhouse is
also a total loss, leaving the city
without a picture show of any kind.
Capt. Lathrop was a heavy loser in
the last Are.
S. Blum & Co.’s mammoth depart
ment store, the pride of Valdez, is a
total loss nothing being saved but a
handful of shovels and axes. This
establishment was badly damaged
during the great fire of last year and
had Just been rebuilt into one of the
finest stores in the North, and its loss
is a great blow to the people of Val
dez and vicinity.
(Continued on Page Three)
ATLAS JUNK CO.
WhoJwal. and Retail Daaian in
ALL KINDS OF JUNK
Buyers of Metal, Rubber, Ma
nila Rope, Sacks, Machinery,
Pipe, Hides, Furs and Bottles.
1043 Railroad Avenue, So.
SEATTLE, WASH.
Candy Kitchen
E. W. HUNT—-In Owl Drag Storr.
FOUNTAIN DRINKS
HOT- -COLD
LOUIE'S CAFE
Everything First class
Open Day and Night
ANDY MAROVICH, Prop.
Valdez Miners Union No. 188
Western Federation of Miner*
W. H. GARNER. Pra*id«nt.
Granite Minn.
CHAS. McCALLUM^ Sacr.Ujy,
The Best Place in Valdes to
Stop at is the
Arctic Hotel
Wua, Ugkt Roaea—Tke Hnm af Caafart
KATES; REASONABLE
BATHJROOM Special Rate* By tke Moatl
PHONE 133 MRS. SYRINC. Pro*
FURNISHED ROOMS FOR
MEN
RATES REASONABLE
Nice dean rooms, good beds,
rooms rented by day, week, or
month. At the Hopkins House
MRS. P. REED
When 1b Seward Stop at tfee
COLEMAN HOUSE
GEORGE SEXTON. Pnor
STRICTLY FIRST CLASS
Fonrth Ats, Seward. Alaska
VALDEZ LODGE
NO 108
Free aid Accepted Manaa.
Regular Communications first Wed
nesday In each month In McKinley
Hall. Visitors always welcome. _
F. M. BROWN, W. M.
ED WOOD, Secretary- \
-4
Just received, a new line of Tojllet
Waters and Perfumes. Owl Drug Co.
_ \
For fine Candles see our st<f>ck.
Valdet Drug Co. t}f
I