VOLUME XIV. -- VALDEZ, ALASKA, SATURDAY, MARCH It, 1016 NUMBER •*
mH FLEET
NUMBERS FIFTY
fBUTlHH fleet about equal
? _
fcgHdh Naval Officers are looking
for a Battle Between the German
Fleet and the Brltish“at any Mo
ment, and are Confident of Vic
tory—Will Be Greatest Naval Af
fair In History of the World.
LONDON, March 11.—According
to the latest advices received here
the German fleet now In the North
Sea numbers at least fifty vessels of
til classes, and a battle between the
Berman warships and the British
•act is momentarily expected.
The admiralty is very reticent as to
the strength of the British fleet which
to expected to engage the' Germans,
tat It is generally conceded that it is
considerably stronger than that of
atoenemy.
^little credence is given the report
that the German fleet haB mounted
guns of calibre and range far exceed
ing those of the latest British dread
naughts and the utmost confidence is
expressed that the British fleet will
emerge victorious from the conflict.
Germans Seek English Elect.
BERLIN, March 11.—Germans pa
pers are taunting the English over
the fact that the German fleet of fifty
vessels have cruised the North Sea
for three days now, and have been un
able to find any trace of tho vaunted
English fleet. The people are anx
iously ^waiting news of an engage
ment between the two fleets and ex
press confidence that German supe
riority with make up for English num
bers. The fleet has been ordered to
engage the English wherever found,
and it is expected that a general
bombardment et the Cnglisli coast
will take place in the next twenty
four hours if the British fleet fails to
encounter the Germans.
Papular Clergyman 111
Kev. Edward H. Molony, who came
from. Seward on the last steamer
with the intention of holding services
int. he Episcopal Church, has been
confined to his bed for several days
threatened with pneumonia. On
Thursday his temperature reached
one hundred four ami one fifth and
bis condition appeared serious but
ba'i'j considerably improved and will
(j^Klonbt be able to get out and greet
hia many friends early next week. He
will, however, be unable to conduct
terviees in the church tomorrow.
Alaska Dne Tonight.
The steamer Alaska left Seward at
4:00 o'clock this morning and is ex
pected to arrive here late tonight. It
is believed that she will make a stop
at considerable length at Latouche
to take on ore at the Beatson mine.
Taking Insane Man Out.
Deputy Marshal A. C. Dowling Is
a passenger on the Alaska, having in
charge an insane prisoner from An
chorage, with whom he will go thru
to the Morningslde Sanitarium near
Portland. Joe Spenard of the City
Express will accompany him as a
guard.
FUNSTON IN COMMAND
OF U. 8. TROOPS
WASHINGTON, Mar. 11.—
General Fun a ton has been plac
ed in command of the troops
along the Mexican border, and
active preparations are under
way to push a body of troops
into Mexico in pursuit of Villa,
and the bandits under his com
mand. General Funston will not
personally enter Mexico, but will
direct the campaign from this
side of the line. The size of the
expedition is being kept a pro
found secret, but it is certain
that the troops sent will consti
tute a force sufficient to carry
oat the plans of the government
to kill or capture Villa and dis
perse his following so thorough
ly that it will be Impossible to
reassemble them in any force.
A report reached here this aft
ernoon that Villa is fleeing with
about 300 followers, and it Is
believed that he may attempt to
escape out of the country.
0. S. TROOPS READY PURSUE VILLA
WOMAN SAYS VILLA PERSONALLY PLANNED RAID ON TOWN.
COLUMBUS, N. M., March 11,—Mrs. Maud Wright, an American woman who has been a close prisoner among the Mexi
can outlaws for the past ten days, was liberated following the raid of the Villa forces upon this city Thursday, when a troop of
United States cavalry closely pursued the fleeing outlaws. Mrs. Wright was captured March 1, when her husband’s Mexican
ranch was raided and her husband shot down in cold blood in her presence. She has been a close prisoner since that time,
and tells harrowing tales of the ferocious cruelty of the outlaw commander. Her sufferings during the period of her captivity
have resulted in making her a nervous wreck, and her tales of the hardships she has been compelled to undergo, have added
materially to the flames of hatred against the bandits. She states that Villa personally planned the raid some time ago, and has
also planned to raid a number of other towns along the United States side of the border.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March
11—President Wilson’s orders, is
sued yesterday afternoon were
that the American troops were to
at once cross the border into Mex-,
ico and use every available means
to capture Villa, the outlaw com
mander and all his followers. Ma
jor Scott states that not more
than five thousand soldiers will be
sent, and preperations are in rap
id progress to move this number
of soldiers in pursuit of the ban
dits
Outlaws Turn Troops Back.
SAN ANTONIO, March 11.—Major
Tompllus, In command of the Ameri
can cavalry pursuing the Mexican out
laws that raided Columbus, was forc
ed to turn back near tho border,
when Villa and bis command of four
teen hundred men made a decisive
stand against their pursuers. It is
believed that Villa had at least 1500
men when tho raid started, and that
at least 100 of them have been kill
ed in the fight with the American
troops. Villa is reported to be bent
on another raid, and i3 advancing to
ward Ilacbita, New Mexico, a small
town of less than 100 inhabitants,
many of the residents of which are
preparing to flee.
Would liaise liarge Force.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ March 11.—
Senator McCnmber, of North Dakota,
today Introduced a resolution pro
viding for a half million of volun
teers to police Mexico, and prevent a
repetition of the outlaw raids along
ATHLETIC CLUB WILL
i ENTERTAIN FRIENDS
On Sunday afternoon the members
of the Athletic Association will hold
open House without fail. An inter
esting program has been prepared,
and much time has beon spent in dec
orating and preparing the club h i s<
'or the event. The members have a
very neat little clubhouse on the cor
ner of Keystone and Front street,
and as they very much wish the club
to be a success they desire to secure
a co-operation oT the parents and
citizens of Valdez. They feel that
'.hey can accomplish much with their,
asoociation in furnishing clean sport*
tor tl*e boys and young men of the
own but realize that they must, have
the aid of the parents and others. It
's hoped that everyone will find time
to drop In some time during the aft
ernoon. They are assured of a hear
ty welcome.
Evans Reaches Seattle.
SEATTLE, March 11—The Ad
miral Evans., of the Pacific Alaska
Navigation company line arrived here
Thursday night from Southwestern
Maska joints. The voyage was un
eventful.
J OKD PEACE BOARD
LOSING MEMBERS
STOCKHOLM, March 11.—Madam
'lesika Schwlmmer, the noted Ger
man Socialist leader who was chosen
% member of i>'ord permanent
peace board, has severed her con
nection with the body. Differences
-etween the members of the board
have reached' such an acute stage
; hat Madam Schwlmmer handed in
iier resignation. It is believed that
further resignations will follow.
Two British Destroyers Lost,
LONDON, March 11.—Two Brit
ish destroyers of the British fleet were
sunk yesterday in the Channel, re
sulting in a loss of fifty lives.
The disaster was caused by the ves
sels striking floating mines, with
which the Channel of late appears to
have been liberally sown, presumably
by the new German submarines. The
vessels went down within a short
time of striking the mines and before
all the memhers of the crows were
able to take to the boats.
the border. In the present inflamed
state of the public mind, It is assured
that this or some other measure of
Uke import will be immediately acted
upon, as the Mexican situation has
taken precedence over all other mat
ters at this time, and feeling among
the statesmen as well as the general
public is running high.
Troops Patrol Border.
COLUMBUS, N. M., March 11.—
The total number of victims of the
raid on this city by the Mexican ban
dits under Villa, has grown to nine
teen. Three more bodies were found
today in the ruins of the hotel fired
by the marauders. Letters found on
Mexicans .....ed in the fight here
show that Villa had planned the raid
some time ago and had written ask
ing General Zapata to join him in
making war against the border towns
and that Zapata had refused.
More Troops for Bonier.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 'll. —Or
ders were received here late yester
day that aU troops in the Department
of the West be prepared to leave at
once for the Mexican border. At the
Presidio in this city preparations are
being hurriedly made to get the
troops under way for the south p.tj
the earliest possible moment.
In this city feeling against the
Mexican outlaws is running extreme
ly high and numerous messages have
been sent to the National capital de
manding immediate action against
the bandits, even at risk of certain
war with Mexico.
Says Villa Loves Americans.
LOS ANGELES, March 11.—The
wife of General Villa, who has for
several months past been a resident
of this city, declares that Villa dfd
not attack Columbus and had nothing
whatever to do wun the raid upon
that city. She says that her husband
has always loved the people of the
United States and would not under
any circumstances be guilty of such
a heinous crime against a defenseless
town
Garrison Volunteers.
WASHINGTON, March 11.—for
mer Secretary of War Garrison has
wired to President Wilson offering
his services in the crisis in Mexican
affairs.
Wilson Yields to Advisers.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 11.—
President Wilson has reluctantly
yielded to the adivce of his cabinet,
and will start vigorous action ngaPis1.
the Mexican bandits. Hb still pro
tests that he will not intervene in
Mexican affairs, and wants the public
to understand that ho is only sending
troops across the border after 4 he
rebel leader because ho realizes that
popular sentiment is such that if the
administration does not soon take ■ <>
^ipp.the citizens of the border .states
will organize an army and take the
field against the invaders.
Twelve Thousand Troops on Border.
!3L PASO. March 11.—Twelve
thousand United States troops are
now partollir.g tho border between
Douglas, Arizona, and this city, and
his number will be largely aug
mented within the next twenty-four
hours. It Is anticipated that today
will witness the crossing of the bor
der into Mexico by a body of troops
in pursuit of Villa, and may result in
serions complications with that coun
try unless President Carranza grants
the desired permission for this action
which has been requested by Secre
tary Lansing. Whatever Carranza’s
reply may be, it is certain that the
troops will start in pursuit of the out
’aws regardless of the direction of
his i'.ight.
Incei)s«l at Wilson's Dilatoriness.
TUCSON, Ariz., March 11.—At a
mass meeting held here last night
public speakers severely scored the
administration for its lax stand in
jailing to protect the American towns
along the border, and many promi
nent citizens* declared that if Wilson
did not act today that a body of sev
eral thousand well armed men would
start over the border, regardless of
•rders to the contrary. The people
are worked up to a dangerous pitch
of excitement, and it would require
little urging to start war against the
Mexicans.
___* • ■ ; r
Rioting in Albuquerque.
. ALBUQUERQUE, *j. M., Mar. 11—
Several Mexican stores were destroy
ed and their proprietors severely
beaten by mobs here today. The au
thorities had great difficulty in con-1
troliug the excited throngs which sur-j
rounded the bulletin hoards, and the J
Mexican population aro thoroughly
terorized.
JUNEAU FACTIONS
GET-TOGETHER
HOLDING ONLY ONE PRIMARY
light Is In Progress at Polls instead
of Being Carried to Convention—
Workers Active and an Exceeding
ly Large Vote is Being Cast—
Indications are that the Result
Will be Close.
JUNEAU, March 11,—-The fight in
the Republican ranks in this city
[ was partially compromised last night
when an agreement was reached be
tween the two factions that only one
primary election would be held, in
stead of two, and but one set of dele
gates sent to the Seward convention.
That the fight is still on, however,
and will be fought out here instead
of before the credentials committee
>f the convention, is assured, as no
attempt has been made to reach an
agreement on the difference which
are separating the two factions. Both
tides are relying on their strength
and the persuasive powers of their
warkers to yield them a majority of
the votes in tho primary election,
and the campaign is a bitter one.
With charges and counter charges
flying between the camps of the rival
factions.
It is charge,, that the Shackelford
faction is working for the naming of
Wickersham at the convention as the
iregular Republican nominee, and
Shackelford has made no denial of
this charge, thus tacitly admitting
that he has entered into a deal with
the delegate to this end, as it Is well
known that Wickersham has been
pulling the wires since last summer
to secure the nomination at the
hands of the party from which he
has for a number of years been est
ranged.
Rustgard, one of the leaders of
the opposition, states that he is al
so in favor of giving Wickersham
(Continued on Page Three.)
hah » «im;hjnei:s
CONRUUAK SERVICE
WASHINGTON, March II.—The
House Committee on Foreign Rela
tions has hee;\ incorporated in ennsu
tions has incorporated in the consular
ers from serving in the consular ser
vice of the United States.
This step was brought about by
the emergencies raised by the Euro
pean war, which have placed the con
sular affairs of the United States at
many points in the hands of foreign
ers, who, in case of an outbreak of
hostilities between the United States
and any foreign country might seri
ously hamper the Government. It
has been found that eighty-two for
eigners are now serving in vice-con
sular positions. To provide for these
changes in the service, the appropri
ation has been Increased one and
one half millions making the total
appropriation five milliohs.
MURDERESS ENTERS
INSANITY PLEA
ST. PAUL, March 11.—Mrs. Bud
ke, who last Sunday shot and killed
the priest at the Polish Catholic
church in this city, was arraigned
here today and entered a plea of in
sanity.
Mrs. Budke entered $lie confes
sional of the church last Sunday and
fired five shots of a revolver into the
body of the priest, causing death. Fol
| lowing the shooting Mrs. Budke made
| an admission of her guilt, stating
I that her act was the result of the
| priest granting absolution to Henry
Jajeske, who had wronged her. Her
plea of insanity entered today indi
cates that she wm make a stubborn
fight against the penalty, of her rash’
act.
Another Steamer Sunk by Sub.
PARIS, March 11.—Advices re
received here today state the steamer
LouiBina Was torpedoed by a German
submarine off Havre, and sunk. No
details have been received here, and
it is not known whether or not there
was any considerable loss of life.
The Devil Tonight.
Tli Devil In Fiye Acts and the late
Pnthe News, a total of six reels, with
muBic tonight at the Liberty.
WOULD CRIPPLE CANADA BADLY
President of Canadian Pacific Rail
road Opposes Farther Drafting of
' Nation’s Best and Most Virile Men
as Food for German Cannon—Be
lieves Could Help England Better
by Staying Home and Working.
MONTREAL, March 11,—Lord;
Shaugheneaay, president of the Canada
dian Railroad, is strenuously oppoM
lug the plan of the government to!
send an additional quarter of a mit-s]
lion men to the European battlefield
as food for German cannon.
Shaughnessy declares that such a
step would seriously cripple Canada
economically, depriving the country
of the labor so much needed at this
time, ami predicts much suffering in!
the Province if her most vigorous and
best young men are sept to 'war. He
declares that England has men
enough at the front, and that Cana
dians could serve England better by
producing the foodstuffs and ..muni
tions so much needed by Great llri
tain than in fighting in the trenches.
ARCADE TO OPEN 0
NEW DINING ROOM5
Jack Callin, proprietor of tho ifir
cade, will open his new dinin%£obm
tomorrow and to celebrate tfte’ occa
sion will serve to his patrorti a spe
cial dinner. The menu wijl be an
elaborate'One, and Mr. Callln’a repu
tation as a chef is sufficient guaranty
that the quality of the repast will be
all that can be (leirtred. The special
dinner will be servedAfe#ih noon un
til late in the evening.
The new diningroom, which has
been fitted up in the quarters for
merly occupied by Hunt’s Candy
Kitchen, has been very tastefully dec
orated and will provido tables for a
number of guests.
FIERCE BATTLE
STILL RAGING
1/088 OF LIFE IS TURK IB L»
Struggle at Verdun reaches Stubborw
est Stage— French Report Every
Attack of Germans Repulsed—
Artillery Fire is Heaviest of tho
War—New Balkan Offensive Bu
gun.
PARIS, March 11.—The fighting
In the vicinity of Verdun is still rag
ing with unabated intensity, and has
now reached its stubbornest stage.
The Germans are hurling regiment
after regiment, in mass formation,
against the French positions and
hand to hand fighting prevails Al
most the entire length of the front,
and the loss of life on both sides is
unprecedented. Against the French
positions tbe Germans are maintain
ing an artillery fire heavier than
known during any period of war, an&
the expenditure of shells ha3 been
enormous. Despite tbe terrific on
slaughts the Freucb line has held,
and every attack of the Germans hasr
been repulsed.
Reports from tbe front state that
tho loss of life on both sides is the
greate.st. of any battle since the out
break of the European struggle.
Trainioad after trainload of wound
ed are dying and have been brought
into hospital camps and the stream
still continues to flow unabated.
From Belgian sources comes tbe
news that the German losses have
frightful, and that tho railroads run
ning back from tho front are running
almost continuous trains hearing the
wounded to the hospital camps.
So terrible has been the conflict
that it is believed impossible for the
present intensity of attack to be
maintained for any length of time as
both armies will soon have exhaust
ed their men and munitions, and one
or the other must soon give way.
In this city tho utmost confidence
preva^s tha. the Verdun forts are
impregnable, a ... tiiat tho Germans
must soon retire from tho assault.
Aiiied Drive on the Balkans.
SALONIKA. March 11- The Al
lied camps are the scene of the great
est activity, pad it is evident that
some move of the greatest magni
tude is under way. It is generally be
lieved that, the preparations now in
progress indicate that tho Allies are
preparing for a tremendous drive
through the Balkan states. From the
indications the huge movement north
will take place about May first. Im
mense stores of munitions are being
gathered together and means of trans
portation provided for a rapid lunge
against the Teutonic positions.
Germans Take Important Point
BERLIN, March 11.—After one ot
the most desperate struggles of the
war the imperial troops hare suc
ceeded in capturing Vaux, a village
HnyUn the French lines, driving oat
!p4?defenders with heavy loss. This
ilrthge,occupies an important stra
position commanding the Ver
■|Bra fortifications, and will prove the
utmost,.Importance to the Germans
in thelr'operations against Verdun.
GENERAL VILLA HAS
STARTED ANOTHER RAID
EL PASO, March It.—It Is
reported that General Villa, with
a considerable force, has started
on another raid, this time on the
town of Grande, la the
‘ aahua, where there
colony o£ consid
. Is said he has sta
tioned men along the railroad
both north and pouth of the
town to prevent the escape of the
inhabitantsitfuid that he will at
tack the trains if the people tTy
to leave the town. Carranza
troops are hurrying to the scene
to prevent a massacre of the de
fenseless people, and are travel
ing with the utmost speed in the
hope of reaching the place be
fore Villa and hiB followers may
commence the massacre. It is
believed that a considerable
body of United States troops will
be rushed across the border in
an attempt to ,{iend the outlaw
off in case of retreat.