Iditarod Pioneer
ONE dollar per month _IDITAROD. ALASKA, SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 20. 1916 _25 cents per copy
BRINGS GOOD REPORTS
ON MEXICAN SITUATION
WASHINGTON. May 1 7.—The Mexican situation
is now less acute than at any time since the Colum
bus raid. Everything is reported to be quiet from
San Antonio. Major General Scott arrived on Mon
day and submitted a detailed report of his discus
sions with the Mexican general. Obregon.
General Scott is optimistic over the Mexican situ
ation. A full report of his conferences with Obre
gon is to be given out later.
The American consuls throughout Mexico have
been instructed to call the attention of Americans
to the state department's repeated warnings that the
government regards their presence there as unde
sirable.
The policy of the administration with reference to
the presence of United Stales troops in Mexico re
mains unchanged, and Carranza is to be notified
that the United States will make no further conces
sions. and is prepared now for any emergency.
Await Reinforcements
MARATHON. May 15.---Bandits again crossed the border on
Thursday of last week and attacked civilians and soldiers. They
fled after a short skirmish. Major Langhorne, with two troops of
cavalry immediately crossed the border in an attempt to rescue
Jesse Deemer, who was held captive by the raiders. He made
rapid progress southward into Mexico.
MARATHON. May 15 — The expedition pursuing the Glen
Springs bandits has been checked, and is awaiting reinforcements.
Cook Is Rescued
SAN' ANTONIO, May 17. The expedition which is pursuing
the Glen Springs raiders has rescued J. Deenter, the cook who was
kidnaped on Friday last and taken across the border by Mexicans.
Attempts to Destroy Fort Bliss
Two attempts have been made to destroy the buildings at fort
Bliss. Two stables have been burned and several horses killed.
General Funston has ordered a rigid investigation, and extra pre
cautions will be taken.
General Funston is spreading out his men to patrol the border.
Pershing's army is being drawn closer together, and gives no
sign of the pursuit of Villa.
Carranza Troops to Patrol Border
EL PASO, May 17.—Ten thousand Carranzistas are on the
way north for patrol duty on the border. They will maxe Juarez
their headquarters.
Patrol Fired Upon
DEMING, N. M., May 15.—It is reported that the American
border patrol was fired upon by Mexicans at Antelope Wells, and
were forced to back up. Several families have been brought here '
by cattlemen.
Pershing Is Not Menaced
COLUMBUS, May 15.—General Pershing has denied the re- |
port that his troops are menaced by Carranzistas on all sides.
Villa Recruits New Army
Villa is said to be entirely recovered from his wounds, and is j
busy recruiting a new army in the state of Durango.
Troops Leave Seattle
SEATTLE, May 11.—The Fourteenth infantry left Fort Law
ton today for the Mexican border.
Mexican Uprising in Texas
CORPUS CHRISTI, May 13.—Evidence of a plot for an up
rising of Mexicans has been found on the persons of Mexicans ar
rested here. Further arrests were made, and it is alleged that
the plot contemplated uprisings and riots simultaneously in South
ern Mexico, Arizona and New' Mexico.
American Farmer Shot
BROWNESVILLE, May 12.—Curtis Bayles, an American ;
farmer, v. as shot near his home by a band of Mexicans.
Execute Deported Viilistas
EL PASO, May 13 — Seventy-three Viilistas deported from the :
United States to Juarez have been executed by Carranza.
Punitive Expedition to Be Withdrawn
SAN ANTONIO, May 18.—The early wthdrawsl of the puni
tive expedition in command of Colonel Sibley south of Boquillos
is indicated by reports from army headquarters.
--A—
CASEMENT ON TRIAL FOR HIGH TREASON
WHILE PREMIER INVESTIGATES REVOLUTION
LONDON, May 17—The trial of Sir Roger Casement, leader
of the recent abortive Irish insurrection, on a charge of high
treason, was commenced on Monday morning. More popular in
terest was manifested than in any trial in recent years. Casement
Is saving his defense for the higher tribunal.
The crown virtually concluded its case today, and a decision is
expected soon. Casement wept while working on his statement.
Premier in Dublin to Investigate
DUBLIN, May 17— Premier Asquith arrived in Dublin last
Friday to begin an investigation of the recent insurrection. He
has been holding daily conferences with prominent persons in va
rious spheres of society, and as a result has ordered a material
modification in the enforcement of martial law.
Irish Aroused hy Executions
The man who escaped when Sir Roger Casement was cap
tured has been arrested. Thomas Kent has been court-martialed
and shot, making the fourteenth execution as a result of the up
rising, and seventy-three persons have been sentenced to penal
servitude. The Irish are aroused, and an insistent demand is be
ing made that a halt be called on the executions. Serious dissatis
faction is being manifested.
Plans New Methods of Irish Government
DUBLIN, May 18.—The old order of government in Ireland is
likelv soon to be discarded, as Premier Asquith is convinced that
future government of the island must be along different lines than
formerly. He has broken established precedent by becoming a
member of the Irish privy counnl._
FIGHTING STILL CONTINUES AT VERDUN
AND BRITISH LINES ARE NOW OBJECTIVE
LONDON, May '5.—Switching their attacks from Verdun, the
Ormans have begun a sharp offensive against the British lines
at Kuikch, and have captured five hundred yards of the first line
trenches.
Attempt to Regain Trenches Fails
BERLIN, May 15.—The British have made an attempt to re
take the trenches lest at Hullacb, but tailed.
German Attack Fails
PARI8, May 17 — A German _nigbt attack on Deadman hill
hae failed. "Vie French on Friday last stopped a German onrush
L >‘ a» Vaux with bayonets. Each side report* the offensive of the
ptfcfir defeated at ttardun.
COUNTER DEMONSTRATIONS
PUNNED BY PACIFISTS
TO OFFSET PREPAREDNESS
NEW YORK, May 13. The greatest
civilian parade ever held started this morn
mg at 10 o'clock, as a demonstration in
favor of the program of national prepared
ness. Sixty-two thousand persons sought
places in the parade in vain.
Counter Demonstration Headed by Taft
NEW YORK, May 15. The League to
Enforce Peace paraded in this city today,
headed by ex President Taft. They will
ask the aid of ten thousand ministers in
advocating peace doctrines next Sunday.
-+
CANADIAN INVASION PLANNED
FROM THE UNITED STATES
NEW YORK, March 30. A military ex
I podition to invade Canada, which was halted
i by the failure of a Buffalo, N. Y., lawyer to
I appear at the tine agreed upon wth an
j “organized firing squad,” it is said here,
! was part of an alleged conspiracy to vio
i late the neutrality of the United States,
| upon which the agents of the department of
i justice are working secretly in connection
; with the return here from England of Horst
von der Goltz.
Von der Goltz. who. it is said, claims to
have been a trusted agent of Captain Yon
Papen, former German military attache in
this country, was questioned at length by
United States District Attorney H. Snow
den Marshall and his assistant, Roger B.
Wood.
Yon der Goltz. according to Captain Wil
liam Offley. chief of the local bureau of the
department of justice, told an impressive
tale of plot and counter plot.
The federal authorities let it be known
that the publicity given to Von de- Goltz’s
return here, accompanied by a detective
sergeant from Scotland Yard, may interfere
with their plans to round up suspects
wanted in connection with the alleged pro
posed military expedition to Canada, which,
it was said Von der Goltz has admitted,
involved the blowing up of railroads, bridges
and public buildings and the destruction of
the Welland canal.
Von der Goltz went to England late i:;
1914 under the name of Bridgman Taylor
and, according to persons closely identified
with the department of justice investigation, i
recently arranged with the British authori- j
ties to be returned here to give testimony. I
Von der Goltz is quoted as having said j
that he was supplied by persons involved in j
the alleged plots here with the plans and *
diagrams for the destruction of Canadian |
property. He is said to have asserted that !
his assistants, while pro-German, were not 1
of German descent, but were actuated by j
hatred of England.
_ . A
EX-PRESIDENT TAFT PROTESTS
WASHINGTON, May 12, The National i
Red Cross Society, through ex-President j
Taft, has forwarded a protest to the state j
department protesting against the refusal of j
the British government to allow the ship- !
ment of hospital supplies to Germany.
Taft Also Favors Watchful Waiting
NEW YORK, May 12 —In an interview
here today ex-President Taft expressed him- j
self as being in favor of conscription. He I
also would be patient with Mexico.
REVLOUTION IN SAN DOMINGO i
SQUELCHED BY MARINES
WASHINGTON, May 16. American ma
rines have been ordered to lend at San i
Domingo to deal with the revolution there. I
Rebels Withdraw
SAN DOMINGO. May 16 -The American
marines have landed, which assures the
election by congress of a provisional presi
dent. The rebel leader is withdrawing his
troops.
BRITISH CONTENTION UPHELD
IN FAMOUS PRIZE CASE
NORFOLK, Va., May 13.—Secretary of
State Lansing has upheld the British con
tention in the Apparn case, and holds that
the seized ship is not covered by treaty, as
the German government claimed.
The Apparn is the British ship which was |
brought into this port by a German prize
crew, after having been captured off the
African coast by a German raider.
-*
CAPLAN JURY DISAGREES
AND NEW TRIAL IS ORDERED
LOS ANGELES, May 17.—After being
out more than twenty-four hours, no ver
dict was reached by the jury in the Caplan ]
dynamiting case, and they were discharged. I
A new trial has been ordered for .June 15. j
TO DISMISS MINISTER
AMSTERDAM, May 13.—Emperor Wil
liam of Germany and the imperial chan
cellor have decided that the minister of the
interior must resign, on account of the dis
satisfaction caused by that official’s han
dling of the food supply problem.
DISASTER TO HYDROPLANE
WASHINGTON, May 12.—A large hydro
plane Hying from Newport News to Wash
ington fell in the Potomac near Mount
Vernon today. Three of the occupants were
badly hurt and two are missing.
SAYS AUSTRIA SEEKS PEACE
—
NEW YORK, May 12—S. S. McClure,
the well-known publisher, arrived from
Copenhagen yesterday. He says that Aus
tria is the only one of the belligerent na
tions that is seeking pace.
SENATE REJECTS NOMINATION
WASHINGTON, May 16.—The senate
has rejected the nomination of George
| Ruble* as member of the federal trade com
: mission.
WASHBURN SAILS
List of Passengers Bound for This
Point Contains Names of
Well-Known Residents
j DAWSON. Y.T.. May 19.—The
i steamer Washburn sailed from
| Carmacks yesterday with forty
five tons of perishables for Iditarod
and other points. Frank Manley
! is here and will join his wife on
: the Washburn for Iditarod.
I Several parties have passed here
in small boats for the lower river.
The Washburn’s passengers in
clude Aubrey Pinkiert, the Tanana
merchant, and his bride.
For Ruby
Passengers for Ruby are as fol
lows :
.1. BISHOP AND WIFE
MISS ANNA BIRNEY
DR. FINN AND WIFE
GEORGE GUNDERSON
For Tansna
E. C. PHILLIPS
DR. KNICKERBOCKER
R. THAYER
II. S. BARNETT
E. V. SONDHEIM
A. PINKIERT AND WIFE
For Betties
E. L. BROWN AND WIFE
WILLIAM ENGLISH
O. S. JENSEN
R. BARKER
J. SULLIVAN
B. SEBREY
J. FOLEY
For Iditarod
Those destined for Iditarod are:
CYRIL P. WOOD
M. H. MARSTON
MRS. M. H. MARSTON
JOHN McGINN
H. E. RILEY
JOHN HOLMES
MRS. E. A. AUSTIN
JOHN BEATON
GILBERT BATES
JOHN WICKSDAI.L
MRS. A. C. YOUNG
J. L. SMITH
MRS. A. WINCH ELL
J. R. FORD AND WIFE
J. SCOTT
W. SOHMES
MRS. BUNN
W. ANSLEY
-♦
CONTRACT MAY BE AWARDED
TO RESIDENTS OF IDITAROD
FOR AERIAL MAIL SERVICE
--
Considerable interest was aroused in the
city and district last Monday by the an
nouncement that the local bidders on the
government aerial mail service contract be
tween this city and Seward stood a good
chance to land the plum. Earl Bvers, who
submitted the bid, was informed by Post
master William Ansley on Saturday last of
the receipt of the following wireless mes
sage :
“Washington, D. C., May 13.
“Postmaster, Iditarod, Alaska:
“Advise Byers decision on aeroplane
bid held up until satisfactory bond ar
rives. Department informed surety
company willing to (furnish?) bonds.
W’hat equipment does he contemplate
and when could service start if con
tract awarded? Can you furnish
Byers blank bond?
“PROSSER, Second Assistant."
But One Bid Submitted
On Monday last the following was re
ceived from The Pioneer’s correspondent in
Seattle:
“WASHINGTON, May 13— On ac
count of heavy war orders and the
demands being made upon the aero
plane factories, only one bid was re
ceived by the postoffice department yes
terday on the contracts for carrying
mail by aeroplane in Alaska. Earl
Byers of Iditarod submitted a bid for
a twice-a-weck service between Seward
and Iditarod, carrying a thousand
pounds of mail. The department is
disposed to give him time to file a
bond and to award him the contract.”
Plans of the Bidders
After consulting with Earl Byers and oth
ers interested in the proposal, Mr. Ansley
dispatched the following answ'er to the sec
ond assistant postmaster general:
“Iditarod, Alaska, May 15.
“Prosser, Second Assistant,
“Washington, D. C.
“Byers contemplates three Curtiss
machines. Suitable landings cannot be
installed before late fall, owing to land
transportation difficulties. If depart
ment ready to consider proposal repre
sentative will meet you in Washington
to arrange bonds and details of con
tract. Have no blank bonds.
"ANSLEY, Postmaster.”
It is understood to be the purpose of Mr.
Byers and associates, in case the contract is
awarded to them, to form a stock company,
to be made up of local and Seattle men, for
the purpose of handling the contract. Be
sides carrying the mail, it is also intended
to transport passengers and express.
But whether or not the mail contract is
awarded to them, they intend to form the
company for the purpose of furnishing a
means of quick transportation to the gen
eral public. It is claimed that they have
figured out that there will be a profitable
business awaiting the pioneers in aerial navi
(Continued on Page Four)
DISPOSITION MANIFESTED
TO AWAIT DEVELOPMENTS
IN THE TOLSTOI DISTRICT
Joe Kean end Nel.s Neilson arrived in
camp on Thursday nieht last from the Tol
stoi district, having made the trip over the
trail. Mr. Neilson was the bearer of many
I letters for Iditarod and creek people, but
| nothing in the nature of new developments
was reported. Mr. Neilson, however, speaks
highly of the prospects, and is making ar
rangements to return with an outfit,
Joe Kean is reported to have brought
word of new pay having been found on
No. 6, Boob creek, but this may have been
a mistake, as Neilson, who traveled with
Kean from the diggings, knew nothing of
it. In one of the letters received the work
on this cl: im was described, and it was
stated that while three shafts had been
sunk but one showed colors. It had not
yet been sunk to bedrock.
It is gleaned from several of the letters
that an optimistic feeling prevails at the
diggings, and that preparations for exten
sive prospecting are well under way. Work
has been delayed somewhat because of the
unsettled condition of affairs there, and on
account of bad weather.
It is reported that a new townsite has
been laid out on Mastodon creek, but the
details are not given. The new town of
Cooper has been incorporated as a city of
the second class, and a municipal council
already has been elected.
There are reports from several of the
creeks of holes being bedrocked which in
some instances revealed no values, and some
of the letters received are of a pessimistic
nature. But taken as a whole the reports
are most hopeful.
There has been considerable inquiry from
the Outside relative to the prospects in the
Tolstoi, but it is not known how exten
sively the reports have been circulated. It
is not thought likely that there will be
a great rush from the Outside pending fur
ther developments.
In this city and district there appears to
be a disposition to await further news, and
the indications are that there will be no
stampede on the first boats, although news
of an encouraging nature received prior to
the first departures of the boats might
change things materially. Should definite
news of anything like a paystreak being
lined up, or of further discoveries of pay
gravel. be received, there is little doubt
that the transportation facilities would be
taxed.
Shipments of merchandise from this city
to the new camp will not be heavy, either,
because of the fact that there are no sur
plus stocks here. Many shipments will be
made, it is true, but the consignments nec
essarlv will be small. Griffis Jr Haley are
taking in several tons of merchandise, and
H. H. Porter is dispatching a considerable
shipment of goods in charge of Tom Dean.
-♦
GREAT DEMAND FOR SEATS
AT REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
CHICAGO, May 10. Thirty thousand
applications have been received for seats at
the Republican national convention next
month. Only one-third of this number can
be seated.
-♦
CRUISER SAN FRANCISCO
LOSES EIGHT OF HER MEN
BOSTON, May 17.-- The United States
crui.-er San Francisco is aground in Nan
tucket sound. A whaleboat containing
eight members of the crew was lost.
-♦
RED CROSS SOCIETIES AT WAR
STOCKHOLM, May 10.- A rupture has
taken place between the German and Rus
sian Red Cross societies because of the re
fusal of the German government to ex
press regret on account of the sinking of a
Russian hospital ship.
-*
WIFE ARRESTED IN WAITE CASE
NEW YORK. May 16.—Mrs Waite, wife
of the dentist who is held for the murder
of his father-in-law, Peck, has been ar
rested. She expresses herself as willing to
testify against her husband.
--♦
TEDDY INDORSES LEAGUE
OYSTER BAY, May 12.—'Theodore
Roosevelt indorses the Non-Partisan League
in a letter to the secretary of that organ
ization.
-4
DRUG STORE BOOZE SEIZED
SEATTLE, May 12.—The police of this
city have seized $75,000 worth of liquors in
storage warehouses consigned to various
drug stores.
EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY
ROME, May 18.—An earthquake of un
usual violence has occurred along the Adri
atic coa.’t. Only meager details have been
received.
—
FIKEMEN OVERCOME
SPOKANE, May 17.—Fifty firemen were
overcome by poisonous gases during a fire
in a drug store today. All will recover.
-4-—
PEACE PRIZE FOR WILSON
WASHINGTON, May 15.—Friends of
President Wilson believe that he should be
awarded the $40,000 Noebel peace prize.
-*
MAYO SUCCEEDS FLETCHER
WASHINGTON, May 18.-—Admiral
Mayo is to succeeded Admiral Fletcher in
command of the chief Atlantic fleet.
--—-♦ -
FOR RECALL OF MAYOR
SAN FRANCISCO, May 13.—A petition
for the recall of Mayor Rolph has been
placed ip circulation.
PATRIOTIC RESOLUTION
INTRODUCES BY GORE
WASHINGTON, May I 7.—Senator Gore Iras in
troduced a resolution in the upper house pledging
| congress and the people of the United States to sup
port all the efforts of the President to maintain an
undiscrinnnating neutrality, and to facilitate the
| establishment of permanent peace.
Warning to Neutral Governments
The German government, in a note to President
j Wilson and Secretary of State Lansing, warns neu
< tral governments that merchant ships flying neutral
I flags must obey the provisions of international law
in regard to their conduct when stopped by sub
marines, and that such ships incur danger by turning
in the direction of the submarine.
Dismissed Attache Signally Honored
LONDON, May 12.—Kaiser Wilhelm has conferred the decora
tion of the Order of the Red Eagle upon Captain Boy-Ed, the
former German naval attache at Washington, who was dismissed
recently by President Wilson.
No Reply to Last Note
COPENHAGEN, May 17.—The German government will not
send a reply to the last note of President Wilson, but will confer
with Ambassador Gerard concerning it.
Wants to Know About That Punishment
WASHINGTON, May 13.-Secretary of State Lansing has
asked Ambassador Gerard to ascertain the punishment imposed
upon the commander of the German submarine wdiich sank the
Sussex.
Russian Comment
PETROGRAD, May 13. -The Russian (tress devotes consid
erable space to comment upon Germany’s surrender to the de
mands of the United States. The newspapers generally regard
the United States as friendly to Russia.
-1_4
AUSTRIANS GAIN VICTORY OVER ITALIANS
AND RUSSIANS ARE SWEEPING MESOPOTAMIA
LONDON, May 18.—1The Austrians have gained a big victory
against the Italians in the Tyrol district, taking thousands of
prisoners.
Great Russian Victory in Mesopotamia
PETROGRAD, May 17.—The Russians have invaded Meso
potamia at a northerly point and defeated the Turkish offensive.
Thirty-seven thousand of the Turks were taken prisoners, and vast
supplies of munitions of war were captured. The Russian grasp
is tightening on Mesopotamia.
German Torpedo Boat Strikes Mine
COPENHAGEN, May 18.—A German torpedo boat has been
destroyed off Falsterbo by striking a mine.
American Lost in Destruction of Dutch Steamer
LONDON, May 18.—The Dutch steamship Batavier has beeo
blown up in the North sea One American passenger was
drowned.
German Food Situation to Be Improved
BERLIN, May 18. Relief of the food situation in the large
cities is expected to be effected soon through the organization of
special departments to regulate the supply.
German Soldiers on Short Rations
GENEVA, May 18.—German soldiers on the Swiss border are
reported to have been furnished with no meat for weeks, and are
begging food from the Swiss soldiers.
Austrian Prisoners Revolt
COCHRANE, Ont., May 18.—Austrian prisoners of war con
fined here have revolted, and many have been shot.
Allies Have Reached Limit of Resistance
BERLIN, May 17.—General Von Moitke, chief of the German
genera! staff, thinks that the allies have reached the limit of
their resistance.
Accuse Allies of Inhuman Act
BERLIN, May 12.—The Austro-Hungarian liner Dudrovink
has been torpedoed by an enemy submarine in the Adriatic with
out warning.
Work of German Submarines
BERLIN, May 15.—Official announcement is made that ninety
six hostile merchant vessels were sunk by German and Austrian
submarines during April.
Will Indemnify Spaniards
MADRID, May 15.—Germany has offered to indemnify the
Spanish government for the lives of Spaniards lost when the
steamship Sussex was torpedoed.
Austrian Ship Destroyed
AMSTERDAM, May 16.—An Austrian munitions ship has been
sunk by a mine off Durazzo.
Small Naval Engagement
LONDON, May 17.—A naval engagement has taken place off
the Belgian coast between small German and British warships.
----*
MEASURE INCLUDES FEDERALIZED GUARD
AND SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN ARMY
WASHINGTON, May 18. —The desire of members of congress
to get away from Washington early in the summer has caused
an effort to hurry through business and bring about an early ad
journment. The program is pleasing to President Wilson.
The senate has accepted the army measure as reported from
conference, which provides for a regular army of 206,000 men on
a peace standing, with an increase of 50,000 in war time. The
bill also includes a federalized national guard of 457,000 men.
It is expected that the house will ratify the measure next week.
With the final disposition of the army reorganization bill, con
sideration of the naval measure will be taken up immediately
The bill plans a material increase in the strength of the navy.
Working in relays, Senator Sherman of Illinois and Kenyon of
Iowa have been engineering a filibuster in an effort to defeat the
rivers and harbors appropriation bill.
-♦
GERMAN GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION
WITH REFERENCE TO NEUTRALITY LAWS
WASHINGTON, May 18.—The German government, through
Ambassador Bernstorff, has instructed all its consuls in the United
States to admonish German subjects in their districts to scrupu
lously observe the American laws. This is done in an effort to put
an end to the many grave violations of American neutrality.
—— ♦ .
NEUTRALS TO TAKE CONCERTED ACTION
BERLIN, May 18.—The Danish, Swedish and Norwegian gov
ernments have been urged to take joint action against Great
Britain for the illegal seizure of mails consigned to those ewuy
triee,