VOL. 13. VALDEZ, ALA8KA, SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1915. NO. 118.
1500 LIVES LOST ON LUSITANIA
---■-===== I ~ ■ ~ -- ■ ■ ■ ::
LLOYDS' HIT HARD
OH LOST LUSITANIA
Big Cunarder Insured for $5,000,000—
Cargo Also Heavily Insured
In London.
LONDON, May 8.—The Lusitania
was insured for $5,000,000. The boat
was worth $10,000,000, besides which
she carried almost a full cargo of ex
press, which is very valuable and the
loss on the cargo will, be consider
able. The cargo is also partly cov
ered with insuurance and the Lloyds
companies will be hit as hard by the
sinking of the Lusitania as they were
when the Titanic went down on her
maiden trip across the ocean.
The admiralty will undoubtedly re
imburse the Cunard line for any loss
to them, as the British ships are
being operated only under the direc
tion of the admiralty.
The life insurance companies will
also come in for heavy losses as many
accident policies were taken out, es
pecially for the trip, by both British
and American passengers. .
GIG SLUMP ON
STOCK MARKET
Loss of Lusitania Sends Prices To
Bottom—Governors Threaten
To Close Exchange.
NEW YORK, May 8.—As a result
of the sinking of the big British lin
er Lusitania stocks went down with
a thump yesterday. The news was
received while the Exchange was open
but the first reports*were doubted ex
cept by the insiders, who had re
ceived word of the sinking of the big
ship from agents in London. The sell-1
ing orders came in so fast when it
wias realized that the German sub
marine blockade was effective that
it required the united efforts of the
big banks to hold down the call loan
rate and prevent a panic.
Conditions adjusted themselves this
morning'and the panic is not as pro
nounced. The board of governors
threaten to close the Exchange if
those selling short attempt to close
in and squeeze out the profits.
The torrent of selling orders that
came on the Exchange between 1
and 2 yesterday afternoon was the
heaviest since the opening days of
the war last August.
All stocks showed a big loss at
closing yesterday, but some of them
have picked up this morning.
Joe Spenard, the City Express man,
has a new rig. Joe missed an order
the other day because he was not
seen at a distance of two miles, so
he has a uniform of bright yellow
color which certainly is visible at
10,000 yards. It is also so loud that
it can be heard further than his bell,
which he rings to announce the com
ing of boats. Joe expects to get ev
erything in sight from now on.
Mother Angeles left on. the Ad
miral Watson for Seattle and will re
turn ,^to Valdez in a few weeks.
Neal Robeson, who has been ex
perting some gold quartz property
near Golden is in town.
S. Blum & Co. have “B. V. D.” un
derwear, two-piece and union suits, to
fit all. tf
Latest popular copyrights and clas
sics at Valdez Drug Co. tf
QUEENSTOWN, Ireland, May 8.—
Fully 1,500 passengers and crew of
the big Cunard liner Lusitania went
to the bottom, when the ship was
torpedoed by a German submarine oft
Cape Kinsale. The 650 survivors have
been landed in this city or at Cork
and a full check has been made of
the list of crew and passengers, show
ing the loss at nearly 1,500. The
first-class passengers were mostly lost
as they remained on the ship expect
ing it would float. The commander
of the Lusitania was not given any
warning, the submarine commander
sending four torpedoes into the ship
from a close range, one of them
striking the bow, another hitting the
engine room, and the big ship listed
and sank In twenty minutes.
In spite of the confusion almost
all of the boats were launched, but
the first-class passengers remained
on the vessel expecting that it would
float and be towed into harbor.
Many of the survivors were badly
injured as a result of the explosions
of the torpedoes, which literally blew
the ship out of the water and sent
fragments of the boat in all direc
tions. Several of the injured have
died since their arrival here.
Admiralty Makes Announcement.
LONDON, May 8.—The British ad
miralty made an announcement to
GERMAN SUBMARINE TORPEDOES BIG BRITISH LINER OFF KIN
SALE AND SHIP GOES DOWN IN TWENTY MINUTES—CARRIED
2,067 PASSENGERS AND CREW AND ONLY 568 ARE SAVED, OF
WHOM SEVERAL DIE FROM INJURIES RECEIVED WHEN TORPE
DOES EXPLODE—SEA WAS CALM WHEN SHIP WAS SUNK—SUB
MARINE COMMANDER ISSUED NO WARNING WHEN HE FIRED
FIVE TORPEDOES, ONE HITTING BOW AND ANOTHER WENT
INTO ENGINE ROOM—WASHIN GTON IS INVESTIGATING AND
MAY SEND ULTIMATUM TO GE RMANY.
day on the sinking of the Lusitania,
stating that only 658 passengers and
crew were saved. No hope for any
others is held out, as the sea was
calm and rescue boats picked up all
they could find clinging to wreckage.
It is admitted that the first-class
passengers suffered heavy losses be
cause they expected the ship to float.
Lusitania Had Big Load
NEW YORK, May 8.—An official
list of the passengers on the Lusi
tania has been issued by the local
agents of the company and 1,251 pas
sengers were on the boat at the time
it sailed from New York. The crew
consisted of 816 men and women,
making a total of 2,067 souls on the
big ship, of whom only 568 were sav
ed, according to the official list is
sued by the admiralty.
Washington Is Worried.
WASHINGTON, May 8.—As the
details of the sinking of the Lusitan
ia come in the government officials
are greatly worried and fear that the
United States may become involved
in the European trouble, as this
country has never agreed to the Ger
man contention that the sinking of
merchant vessels was a proper mode
of warfare, and especially as Ameri
cans have lost their lives in the dif
ferent wrecks.
It is now understood that 100
Americans were on the British ship
when it went down. Just how many
were saved is not as yet known, but
it is certain that some Americans
have lost their lives and the State
Department will be forced to take
some action regarding the matter.
LONDON, May 8.—So far as re
ported no lives were lost when the
British liner Lusitania was torpedoed
and sunk off Kinsale Head, near
Queenstown. Small boats of every
description rushed to the scene when
the report of the destruction of the
big liner was received. The Lusi
tania’s boats were hanging in the
davits at the time and preparations
for an attack on the ship had been
taken. It was off Kinsale point that
the ship was torpedoed. |
Report Liner Beached.
One report reaching here is to the
effect that the big liner was beached
following the torpedoing. The air
tight compartments were all closed
at the time and the ship floated un
til it was towed to shore and beach
ed. The report of the beaching of
the liner is unconfirmed.
Prominent Americans On Ship.
Many prominent Americans were
on the ship, including Charles Klein,
the playwright; Charles Frohman,
the theatrical manager; Elbert Hub
bard and wife, Alfred Vanderbilt, Jos
(Continued on page 3.)
RUSSIANS CONTINUE CARPATHIAN CAMPAIGN
/
PETROGRAD, May 81—The Ru.*
sian offensive in the Carpathians con
tinues in spite of the desperate ef
forts of the Germans to draw the
Russians away by bringing on a bat
tle in western Galicia and by invad
ing the Russian Baltic provinces.
The Russians have sent reserves from
Russian concentration camps to
strengthen the points attacked, but
have continued the offensive against
the Austro-German forces in the
mountain passes that stand between
Russia and the invasion of Hungary.
German Object Fails.
It was the hope of Gen. Hindenburg
that with the sudden attack on the
Russians in the Baltic and the launch
ing of a powerful assault at the right
flank of the Russian-Galiclan army
that the Grand Duke would abandon
his purpose of crushing his way
through the passes into Hungary.
He has failed, however, to divert the
Russian general from his objective
and the forces needed t6 meet the
new attacks have come from central
Russia from the new troops that have
but recently been called to the col
ors.
Battle In Western Galicia Continues.
The battle along the Dunajec river
between the German-Austro forces
and the Russians continues and the
Russians are holding the Germans
Jim Hill Liner Expected In Seattle
Next Month—Temporary Repairs
Being Made In Japan.
SEATTLE, May 8.—The Great Nor
thern liner Minnesota, which went on
the rocks off Japan several weeks ago,
is expected to reach this port about
the middle of next month. The boat
was successfully floated from, the
rocks an<f is being repaired enough
to allow for the passage across the
ocean.
It is expected the boat will under
go extensive repairs at once and will
re-enter the Oriental trade next fall.
Laurence develops and prints ko
dak pictures. Work guaranteed. tf
EFFORTS OF GERMANS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO WESTERN GALI
CIA AND RUSSIAN BALTIC PROVINCES FAIL—FRENCH TAKE
OFFENSIVE IN ARGONNE AND MAKE GAINS—GERMAN COUNT
ER ASSAULTS ARE BLOCKED AND DRIVEN BACK WITH HEAVY
LOSS—FIGHTING IN THE YPR ES REGION IS VERY SEVERE
WEATHER CONDITIONS BAD IN NORTHERN FRANCE—BATTLE
IN WESTERN GALICIA CONTIN UES—RUSSIANS HOLDING OWN.
back and have succeeded in recover
ing part of the lost ground.
French Offensive In Argonne.
LONDON, May 8.—The French
troops in the Argonne forest district
have succeeded in repulsing every
German assault and have launched a
terrific advance movement against
the enemy. The Germans have fallen
back for several hundred yards and
abandoned their trenches. Counter
assaults have failed to dislodge the
French infantry, who are digging
themselves in.
Severe Fighting In Ypres Region.
PARIS, May 8.—In the Ypres reg
ion the battle continues. The fight
ing has been constant. Day and night
both sides have made assaults upon
the trenches. Gains are made by the
foot and every advance is stubbornly
contested.
Weather Conditions In Northern
France Bad.
The weather conditions along the
battle line in northern France are
CHINA-JAPAN WILL NOT FIGHT
PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IS NEAR
«
PEKING, May 8.—It is reported
here semi-officially that the note
sent by Foreign Minister Lu Cheng
hsiang to Tokio lf^t night will prob
ably avert the crisis that has come
to China and threatens to bring the
country into war with Japan. The
note has not been made public but it
is understood that most of the Japan
ese claims have been agreed to with
the exception of those that would
place the control of the government
under Japanese officials or would
conflict with concessions already
made to British or French capital
ists.
Tension In Peking Abating.
While the announcement has tend
ed to abate the extreme tension in
this city, yet foreigners are greatly
worried at the outlook, for no matter
how the trouble is settled the Japan
ese will control the government cf
China at least until the end of the
present war in Europe, when Eng
land and Russia will be in a position
to present a united front to the Mi
Itado.
Washington Hears Chinese-Japan
War Averted.
WASHINGTON, May 8.—Washing
tor. diplomats have received word
that the threatened conflict between
the Japanese and Chinese govern
ments has been averted and that
while Japan will secure a strangle
hold on the government of China the
full demands of the Mikado's govern
ment will not be granted. The de
tails of the compromise made by the
Oriental nations are not made pub
lic, but it is understood that Brit
ish concessions are to be protected,
also Russian and French control now
exercised in parts of China are to
continue.
The Japanese sphere of influence
has been greatly enlarged and Japan
ese officials are to have control of
all of Manchuria, parts of eastern
Mongolia, will have a controlling in
fluence in the central government of
China and will secure the right to
open up undeveloped resources of
China. No more foreign concessions
are to be granted. Japanese police
are to enforce the laws and Japan
ese magistrates to Interpret the laws.
•
bad and military operations have been
suspended for the present.
Bombs Dropped In Constantinople
CONSTANTINOPLE, May 8.—The
aviators of the Russian army drop
ped bombs into this city today for
the first time since the war started.
Considerable damage resulted, as the
bombs hit in a densely populated sec
tion of the city. Few German aero
planes are on duty at the forts on
the Dardanelles and so the enemies’
aviators had things all their own way.
Russian Fleets Bombard Bosporus.
The Russian Black sea fleet has
been bombarding the Turkish forts
guarding the Bosporus. Several
shells from the Russian ships land
ed within ten miles of this city,
indicating that the enemy are mak
ing some headway.
Turks Inflict Heavy Damage On
Allies.
ATHENS, May 8.—The Turkish
troops have inflicted heavy losses up
on the troops of the Allies operat
ing on the Gallipoli peninsula. The
fighting continues and the Turks are
endeavoring to drive back the land
ing force. The Allies are sending
strong reserves to the scene while
the big fleet is shelling the Turkish
lines.
MORE BRITISH
STEAMERS SUNK
Two More Large Boats Go Down As
Result of Activities of German
Submarines.
LONDON, May 8.—The British
steamers Centurlan and Candidate
were torpedoed and sent to the bot
tom of the sea yesterday by German
submarines. The boats were off the
Irish coast when attacked. The
crews and passengers were given time
to leave 'he ships and take to the
small boats. The sea was as calm
as a mill pond.
The British admiralty has taken
extra precautions to protect the ships
operating near the British Isles but
have failed to provide anyy protec
| tion that can be depended upon.
ANOTHER GUNARDER
LEAVES NEW YORK
Transylvania Sails From New York
With 900 Passengers—Twelve
Cancel Sailings.
NEW YORK, May 8.—The big new
Cunard liner Transylvania sailed
from here today with 900 passengers
for Liverpool. The big liner was no>
delayed a minute as a result of tile
sinking of the Lusitania, and of the
passengers booked on the ship before
the knowledge of the loss of the sis
ter ship by a submarine only twelve
cancelled their sailings and remain
ed on this side of the Atlantic. Al
most all of those who cancelled their
sailings were women.
Special watchmen are stationed at
the wharves of the company and all
through the voyage the big ship will
be watched by detectives, who are
placed on the vessel to prevent the
wrecking of the boat by hidden
bombs. The British admiralty are
also expected to take such precau
tions as are necessary to prevent
a repetition of the Ivinsale catas
trophe.
BRYAN REFUSES
Will Not Recognize First Chief of
Mexican Republic—Wants Con
stitutional Government.
WASHINGTON, May 8.—Secretary
of State W. J. Bryan announced to
day that the United States govern
ment would not recognize the Car
ranza provisional government of Mex
ico because Gen. Carranza has so far
failed to convince the administration
that he would rule in the interest of
the people of Mexico and not with
the object of building up a dictator
ship.
The American government is de
termined that a constitutional form
of government shall be in power in
Mexico and that the constitution now
in force shall be obeyed by the men
in power.
Representatives here of Gen. Car
ranza have been urging Secretary
Bryan to give the Carranza govern
ment recognition so that it could put
down all opposition and establish
peace in Mexico. The relations, how
ever, between the administration and
Carranza have been exceptionally bad.
Carranza has refused time and again
to heed the advice given by Presi
dent Wilson regarding the recogni
tion of .the rights of foreigners to
live in Mexico and enjoy property
rights.
It is expected that the relations be
tween the Carranza government and
the administration will be worse than
ever from now on.
Mary Pickford In “Caprice" Tonight.
Mary Pickford can be seen tonight
at the Orpheuni in “Caprice,” a de
lightful society comedy-drama in four
parts and produced by the Famous
Players Film Co. Also an extra reel
of interesting and educational sub
jects. Admission 25 cents for adults
and children. The same film will
be shown at the matinee Saturday
and at the evening show. The matinee
will be 10 cents for children.
We are just in receipt of a com
plete line of up-to-date neckwear.
Your inspection invited. S. Blum
& Co. tf