VOLUME XIV ■ VALDEZ, ALASKA, SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1910 • NUMBER 90
StKS BATTLE OF
VERMIS OVER
GERMANS REALIZE USELESSNESS
French Military Critics State tliat
Germany Has Realized the Hope
lessness of their Endeavoi~to Cap
ture French Fortifications.
PARIS, April 15.—The Germans
still continue their attacks against
the French positions east and west of
the Meuse river, launching terrific in
fantry attacks under cover of a heavy
artillery fire, but the attacks have so
for been unavailing, the attackers
having suffered heavy losses.
Military experts agree that the bat
tle of Verdun is practically over, and
the Germans have finally real
ized that their attempt to capture
the strong fortifications at that place
wag a hopeless one.
.jnieir attacks have been the most
pefoistent and ferocious of any pre
vioas aggressive movements and their
losses have been enormous, without
s*ny material gains.
WASHINGTON SEEKS
TEKTJF TREATY
BRITAIN" AND DENMARK ALLIED
State Department Has Not Succeeded
in I/earning Contents of the New
Treaty Said to Have Been Made
Between England and Holland.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 15.—
The State Department is making an
effort to get information as to the
character and scope of a secret treaty
between the Governments of Great
Britain and Denmark. So far it has
bad no success, although it has sent
cabled Instructions to the proper
American diplomatic officers in Eu
rope to obtain the facts as to the
agreement. All that is know of the
treaty is meagre. The belief prevails
tbat the agreement insures Danish
nea^rnlfty on the side of the Entente
Alb/ and may go even to the extent
of providing that in certain contin
gencies Denmark will resort to arms
in behalf of the allied cause.
The State Department has had
nothing to confirm reports that the
Governments of Denmark, Sweden
and Norway for the period of the war,
under which if one of the three Scan
dinavian nations becomes involved in
the European conflict the two others
wiU not (take sides with the group of
belligerents to which the first nation
la opposed. Doubt of the correctness
of Utti Teport is expressed here on the
ground that any secret treaty be
tween Great Britain and Denmark
would bar Denmark from entering
into any such arrangement. Sweden’s
sympathies are generally credited as
being with the German powers, and
it is not regarded as probable that
Denmark, in view of her supposed vir
tual alliance with Great Britain,
would consent to be bound by a con
vention that would prevent her from
carrying out obligations to Great
Britain if Sweden should join forces
with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
' NIGHT LETTER SERVICE
TO NEW RAILROAD TOWN
Advices receievd at the local tele
graph and cable office state that the
night letter service which has been
established over the government tele
graph and cable lines In Alaska, will
b* extended to Anchorage, commenc
ing tomorrow, the 16th.
JURY TO CONVENE
MONDAY MORNING
The trial Jury, summoned for ser
vice in the present term of the district
court, will convene Monday morning
at 10 o’clock In the court room and
will be sworn in.
Kimonos, House-aresses, Aprons,
Caps and Wool Petticoats arrived on
the last boat for the Emporium, tf
REPORT GOVERNMENT
TUGS IN TROUBLE
The tugs and barges for the Alas
ka Engineering Commission, which
left Seattle some time ago for An
chorage, were reported by the Wat
son to be in trouble off Yakutat sev
eral days ago. The vessels encounter
ed rough weather in the Gulf, and the
steamer Wellesley reported to the
W’atson she had passed them near
Yakutat, and their position was ser
ious.
The Alaska Mines Corporation
shipped 500 tons of copper ore to the
smelter at Tacoma on a recent boat,
this making the third shipment for
that company.
SEPPELA WINS
BIGJOG RAGE
DEFEATS DALZENE AND AYER
Trail Was Bad and Time Was Slow—
Much Money Changes Hands on the
Result of the Race Though Book
making Wus Prohibited.
NOME, April 15.—Seppela was the
winner of the great Noipe-Candle'
Sweepstakes race, arriving here early I
this morning. The time of the win- j
ner was eighty hours and twenty-1
seven minutes. Fay Delzene came in
second and Fred Ayer third.
The .trail was the worst for many
years, and the time is slow when
compared with previous records.
There was considerable money waged
on the contest, although in compli
ance with orders from the prosecut
ing attorney’s office no bookmaking
was attempted.
PROGRESSIVE CONVENTION
HELD THIS AFTERNOON
The Progressive Democratic Con
vention called by Committeeman Jno.
Frame, will be held this afternoon in
the city hall at 2 o’clock. The con
vention will nominate a delegate to
Congress from Alaska and will also
name the Progressive National and
Territorial Committeeman for the
next two years.
Donaldson to Repair.
The Fort Liscum launch, Lieuten
ant Donaldson, will be laid up for
several days next week while repairs
are being made on the machinery.
Her place will be taken by the hospi
tal launch Mary Anne.
Elmer Taylor, post carpenter at
Liscum was a visitor in town this
afternoon. Mr. Taylor states that
Mrs. Taylor will soon arrive here
from the states.
LOCAL BREVITIES
J. D. McDougall of the Valdez Gold
Company, came up from Shoup Bay
this afternoon.
Logan Archibald, who is superin
tending the work of development on
his gold quartz claims at Shoup bay,
returned to town this afternoon.
The Valdez Athletic Club has re
cently added a fine set of parallel
bars to the gymnasium equipment.
Reports from Fort Liscum are to
the effect that the Fort Liscum Social
Club will give one of their popular
dances about the end of the month.
J. J. McCarthy has taken a posi
tion on the night shift at the Pinzon.
A new line of Jewelry at the Owl
Drug Co. t tf
_i
Pictures developed at the Valdez
Drug Company. tf.
Kodak Supplies at the Valdez
Drug Company. tf
An up to date line of cook stoves
and ranges at Mead’s Sheet Metal
Works. *
A fine display of nugget Jewelry at
Valdez Drug Co. tf
Fancy stationery at tne Valdez
Drug Store. •
- I
Valdez Drug company nave a flnei
line of School Stationery. tr '
SAYS CARRANZA INSIST
TROOPS BE WITHDRAWN
MEXICAN SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MAKES A PUBLIC
STATEMENT TO EFFECT THAT THE UNITED STATES SOLDIERS
ARE UNWELCOME IN MEXICO—SAYS THEY DO NOTHING BUT
EXCITE MEXICAN PEOPLE—LANSING SAYS WILL MEET CAR
RANZA HALF WAY, BUT TROOPS WILL NOT BE WITHDRAWN
MINISTER BLAMES PAPERS FOR TROUBLE.
/
MEXICO CITY. April 15.—The
acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs
today made a public statement in
which he says that President Carran
za will insist that the American ex
pedition in Mexico be largely reduc
ed or withdrawn from Mexico.
President Carranza, the statement
says, will demand that if any portion
of the United States troops' are per
mitted to remain in Mexico, in pur
suit of Villa, the force shall consist
wholly of cavalry and shall not ex
ceed one thousand men.
Carranza insists that the present
expedition is doing nothing except
excite the Mexican people, who are
strongly opposed to the presence of
the troops, and cites the attacks made
upon the troops yesterday at Parral
as conclusive evidence that trouble
may be expected if the troops are
permitted to remain in Mexico, and
he insists that they shall be with
drawn at once.
The Secretary states that corres
pondence with the United States
government will show that Mexico
has been insisting ever since the raid
on Columbus by Villa, that the ex
pedition sent across the border by the
United States should be a small one,
and should remain in Mexico but a
limited time.
Says Press Responsible.
QUERETARO, Mexico, April 15.—
In a statement today, Gen. Candido
Aguilar, Mexican minister of foreign
affairs, deplored the attitude of some
sections of the press in the United
States, which he declared had pub
lished a number of false stories in
an effort to embarrass the Mexican
and the Washington governments in
arriving at a peaceful solution of the
present situation.
The minister appealed to the press
of the United States to act with mod
eration and in the name <of patriot
ism to aid the two governments in
their earnest efforts to solve amicably
the international incident.
The foreign minister closed by say
ing that the Constitutionalist forces
were working with the utmost vigor
on a carefully thougt out plan which
was expected to result in the capture
of Villa and that complete accftrd ex
isted between the military chieftains
and minister of war, who was per
sonally directing the campaign.
Will Meet Carranza Half Way.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 15.—
Secretary of State Lansing today an
nounced that, he was willing to n eet
President Carranza, of Mexico, half
way on any proposition the later
might care to make regarding "he
status of the United States troops in
Mexico, but usaer no circumstances
will be soldiers be withdrawn at this
time. The Secretary stated thai if
Carranza made any reasonable* terms
or conditions under which the sol
diers might continue the pursuit of
Villa, the administration would glad
ly came to terms with him, but a de
mand for the complete withdrawal of
the troops would not be entertained.
. »
Confer on Mexico.
WASHINGTON, April 15.—Presi
dent Wilson and Secretary of War
Baker held a conference last night
which lasted long into the morning.
It was admitted that the Mexican sit
uation was the subject of the confer
ence but the result was not made pub
lic. It is generally believed here that
the President will stand firm in his
determination not to withdraw the
troops from Mexico until Villa is tak
en and punished.
Nothing Official from Parral.
WASHINGTON. D. 0.. April 15.—
Nothing official has been received
here regarding the attack on the U.
S. troops at the Mexican town of Par
ral. While the report of the trouble
there is accepted as true, nothing of
an official nature has oeen received by
the War Department either from
General Pershing or from General
Funston.
Grave Concern for Perching.
COLUMBUS. April 15.—Grave
concern is felt here over the position
of General Pershing's expedition In
Mexico. The United States force is a
long distance away from their base of
supplies with insufficient troops to
protect their line of communication.
Carranza troops, to the number of
4000 are now marching north into
Chihuahua, and in the event of a
break with the United States these
troops will be able to cut off all sup
plies from Pershing. The United
States troops are practically sur
rounded by the Mexican governmental
troops who are numerically stronger
than Pershing’s force, and with their
source of supply shut off it is believ
ed the Mexicans could practically
wipe out the Americans before aid
could be sent them.
IN BOOZE FIGHT
• _______________
SAYS BLIND PIGS BE STOPPED
Seattle Mayor Is Taking An Active
Part in the Suppression of the Ille
gal Sale of Intoxicating Liquors in
the City.
9 ' N
SEATTLE, April 16.—Mayor Gill
personally assisted Prosecuting Attor
ney Lundin to dump into the bay
twelve thousanu quarts of beer which
were seized on a scow on the Water
front here on Wednesday.
The mayor is taking an active part
In the suppression of illicit liquor
traffic and declares that he will stamp
out every blind pig in the city.
Both the city and county officials
admit that large quantities of liquors
are being som in various parts of the
city and in the smaller towns, and
they state that they will not rest un
til every place where booze is illegal
ly sold is wiped out.
, Wolverines are reported to be un
usually numerous in the vicinity of
Camp Comfort.
MEAT PRICES
TAKE A JUMP
PACKERS SAY SUPPLY IS SHORT
Agents of Entente Allies Place an
Order for 20,000,000 Pounds of
Meat with Chicago Packers—Prices
for Live Stock Advances.
CHICAGO, April 16.—It is report
ed here that agents representing the
Entente Allies hare placed Arders
here for 26,000,OOP pounds of fresh,
meat for the use of the armies.
It is said the contract for this huge
quantity of meat has been divided
among the big packing houses, and at
a price that will yield a handsome'
profit.
During the past few days the prices
of all meats have taken a sharp ad
vance, the packers Stating that this
advance becomes necessary because
the demand is greater than the sup
ply and that the prices for stock on
the hoof is steadily climbing.
Mike Callahan and Martin Gleason
left this afternoon with a barge load
of hay for Ed Wood at Slioup Bay.
SKELETON OF MAN IS
FOUND UNDER SLIDE
SEATTLE, Washington. Apr 15.—
Frank Prenat, of Eighth avenua
south, while digging in the bank on
the side hill near Eighth avenue So.
and Atlantic street, his spade brought
to the surface a man’s skull. Futher
investigation revealed a number of
human bones.
Chief Deputy Coroner Frank Ko
epfli says the skeleton had been bur
ied probably ten or fifteen years,
and it is unlikely that indentity of
the victim will ever be known. There
were no bullet wounds in the skull
to indicate foul play, and Koepfli be
lieves the man was caught in a slide
and buried.
APPROPRIATION
NITRATE PLANT
AMENDMENT PASSES IN SENATE
Carries an Appropriation of $15,000,
OOO for the Construction of a Plant
for the Manufacture of Nitrates for
Explosives.
WASHINGTON. D. C., April 15.—
The Senate today passed the amend
ment to the army bill providing for
an appropriation of fifteen million
dollars for a government nitrate
plant.
Under the provisions of the bill the
products used in the manufacture
of nitrogenous products for the manu
facture of explosives, and after a cer
tain atnouni of the product shall have
been manufactured and stored, the
output of the plant in times of peace,
shall be converted into fertilizers and
sold to the.consumers at about the
cost of production. ,
FEAR RUPTURE
FOLLOW NOTE
WILL BE LAST WORD ON SUSSEX
Lansing’s Communication to Germany
Will Be Strong, But Will Leave j
Way for Germany to Avoid Break j
In Diplomatic Relations.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ April 15.—
A rumor is prevalent in congressional
circles that the note which Secretary
Lansing is now preparing to be for
warded to Germany, in regard to the
torpedoing of the channer steamer
Sussex, will sever diplomatic rela
tions with Germany.
The text of the note, if it is known,
has not been made public, but it is be
lieved that, while it will be by no
means in the nature of an ultimatum,
will be couched in such language
that there will not be the slightest
room for mistake in the meaning or
the sentiment of the administration
regarding the torpedoing of passen
ger steamers unwarned. It will be so
expressed as to afford Germany an
opportunity to avoid a break and will
convey the fact that this will be
America’s last word in regard to the
incident.
Seeds at Cable Office.
Captain Robert M. Nolan, officer in
charge of the military cable and tel
egraph lines for this division, states
that the cable office has a number of
packages of seeds sent out by the gov
ernment, which he will he pleased to
,glve to those who will apply at the
office.
Roger W. Babson, the statistician,
who lives on the Atlantic seaboard,
suggests that the United States trade
Alaska to Great Britain for the island
of Jamaica off the coast of Florida.
Mr. Babson should begin his practice
of generosity by giving away some
thing that belongs to him.
High Schools Close for Varation.
The Valdes schools closed yester
day for a week’s vacation.
E. D. Reiter will attend the Repub
lican convention at Seward next week,
is a delegate.
LARGE REWARD
GOVERNOR LISTER OFFERS $5000
Police Have Been Unable to Unearth
Any Clue to the Party Who Killed
Mrs. Wheeler and Her Sister,
Kate Smith, Both Old Ladies.
I
SEATTLE, April 15.—Governor
Lister has ottered a reward of $5,mo
for the arrest and conviction of the
murderer or murderers of Mrs.
Wheeler and Miss Kate Swift, aged
sisters who were found in their hone
a short time ago with their heads
crushed in. Robbery is supposed >o
have been the motive of the crime,
aE the sum of $3000 which the two
aged women were known to have had
in the house was missing.
Suspicion first fell upon H. S. King,
a nephew of the murdered women,
who first discovered the murder «i.d
reported it to the police, but the offi
cials, after a thorough investigation,
have been unable to unearth any due
connecting him with the crime.
JONES ROASTS
ADMINISTRATION
PREPAREDNESS CAMPAIGN ISSUE
In Long Speech in the Senate States
man from Washington Says that
the United' States Has Been Treat
ing Germany Harshly.
WASHINGTON. D. C„ Aprii 15—
Senator Wesley L. Jones, of Wash
ington, republican, in a speech in the
senate today, bitterly assailed the pre
paredness program of President Wil
son.
The senator declared in the course
of his long speech, that preparedness
is not needed at this time, and that
Wilson has only brought the ques
tion before the country as a cam
paign issue.
The Senator’s speech was decided
ly pro-German in tone, and he flayed
the administration unmercifully for
the stand it has taken in regard to
the German undersea campaign, de
claring that the United States has
been treating Germany harshly.
WASHINGTON CHILDREN
KILL 100,000 SQUIRRELS
SPOKANE, Wash., April 15.—Re
ports to J. R. Shinn, farm expert of
Spokane, show' that more than 100,
000 squirrels were killed by school
children in a contest conducted by
the farm expert. One couuty school
placed poison in 10,000 holes where
there were squirrels. *
PIONEER LADIES TO
GIVE EASTER DANCE
On Easter Monday evening, April
24, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Pion
eers of Alaska, will give a grand ball.
Eagle hall has been secured for the
occasion, and excellent music will be
provided. The reputation of the ladies
of this organization for providing
a good time at their entertainments
Is a sufficient quarantee that all who
attend the dance will be well pleased
with the entertainment afforded
them. The ladies are planning to
make the affair one of the finest ever
given in town, and It is expected it
will be largely patronized.
FRENCH FURNISH EVIDENCE
SUSSEX WAS SUBMARINED
WASHINGTON, D. C„ April 16.—
Secretary Lansing said this morning
that the government had been furn
ished with evidence by the French
government, which proves conclusive
ly that the channel steamer Sussex
was torpedoed by a German subma
rine, and that the identity of the un
dersea craft that fired the torpedo
has ' been established, beyond any
question.
The trail between Anchorage and
Seward is reported to be in bad coty ,1
dition and is getting worse daily."