Halites Daily prospector
VOLUME XIV. VALDEZ. ALASKA, TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1917 NUMBER 10
IBB GUN ~
Ml
Major (rcnoral Crozier Hays Gun Was
Given Teat and Lacked Efficiency
—Questions Answered
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Jan. 15.—
The senate war Inquiry again was
’urned to the ordnance situation when
Major General Crozier was permitted
to take the stand again to reply to
recent statements made by Col. Isaac
Lewis, inventor of the Lewis machine
gun. rejected by the war department
m favor of the Browning type.
Colonel Lewis, who testified De
cember 22. denied that he first of
fered his invention to the British gov
ernment and asserted he repeatedly
had tendered his patents without pro
fits to the American government. He
said Gen. Crozier prevented the accep
tance of the Lewis gun in 1911 and
1912 when it had been favored by
Gen. Wood, then chief of staff. He
also told the committee that more
recently he had made attempts to
Dresent the government with checks
for his royalties on orders for guns,
and had been blocked for a time by
Gen. Crozier.
Is Cut 1'nder Oath
Before beginning, Gen. Crozier ask
'd to be put under oath and then read
a prepared statement declaring they
had borrowed artillery from the'allies
for Gen. Pershing’s force. Desire to
make America's forces of actual aid
on the front as soon as possible was a
prime factor, Gen. Crozier said, in the
artillery loans from France. Corres
pondence was produced In which M.
Tardieu, of the French high commis
sion. asked the war department to or
der French artillery and that fresh
deliveries exceeded the number pro
mised.
Conferences between the heads of
• he British. French and American gov
ernments abroad regarding furnish
ing of artillery to American forces
were cited by Gen. Crozier. He pro
duced a letter from Gov. Bliss, chief
of staff, stating that British and
French munition heads had formally
assured him that their artillery and
ammunition production had so in- j
creased they would be able to com-1
pletely equip all American forces ar
riving abroad in 1918.
Whole Country to lilanie
"I am not attempting to excuse the,
situation that appears to depend on
oar heavy artillery,” said Gen. Cro
zier. “but the responsibility rests on
• he whole country.”
How he had during previous years
asked congress for larger appropria
tions for artillery and that he and
other army heads had many times
called the country’s attention to the
needs for more artillery, was related
by the general.
“This is a plain statement of the
case,” said Gen. Crozier. citing one
instance before the war in which a
modest program’ of artillery appro
priations calling for $1,200,000 was
cut in half by direction of the secre
tary of war, then further reduced by
congress to $310,000. No considerable
appropriation, he said, was made for
heavy artillery until 1916. Appropria
tions in preceding years, he said, were
‘absolutely inadequate.”
Germans Stole Marcli
Machine guns, Gen. Crozier said,
were never expected to become such
an important weapon, but the Ger
mans realizing better than anyone
else their great future proceeded to
secure them in quantity.
Turning to* the charges that pre
judice had kept the Lewis gun out of
American equipment, Gen. Crozier de
tailed the official records of the de
partment.
The first officer, to his knowledge,
was received May 2, 1912, when the
Automatic Arms company asked tor
a special test, which was held at the
Springfield arsenal. The Vickers was
adopted, however, because the board’s
report showed the Lewis gun jam
med 206 times, had thirty-five brok
en parts and fifteen parts required re
placement, while the Vickers gun
jammed 23 times and had no parts
broken. The board held the Lewis
' gun inferior to their Vickers or Ben
net-Mercier. In the tests of April,
- 1916, Gen. Crozer said, the manu
facturers withdrew the guns because
it was said they were not in condition.
The board, in April, 1916, found
the Lewis gun had many desirable fea
(Continued on Page Three)
LEARNING HOW TO HANDLE THE SAUSAGE BALLOON f|!
Snub-in^ .. *»f 111«* Aiiirnc.in itriny balloon schools learnm;; liovv to handle tin* lniM* x»tu>iinc balloons iliat are
m> useful lor observation purposes.
••OIUKITOK” WHO 1)0KK NOT
HKIDKT OKI'S TKN YKAlts
ST. LOIHS. Jan. 15. Robert W.
Franke. jr., of St. Louis, who failed
to go to ('amp Funston when he was
called in the draft, today was dishon
orably discharged from military- ser
vice and sentenced to ten years im
prisonment at hard labor. Franke was
convicted by court martial. He said he
did not respond to the draft call be
cause of conscientious objections to
war.
_ <
Aviators Make Daylight Haiti Over
Herman Territory and Drop
Many Shells
LONDON. Jan. lf>. British avia
tors made a daylight raid this morn
ing over German territory, crossing
the Khine at Karlsruhe and dropping
many bombs upon that city, with what
effect is not known. The aviators re
turned without loss.
SEC
CAUSES ARREST
Wires Officials that Former President
been in Communication with the
Berlin Foreign Office
PARIS, Jan. 15.—It now develops
that the arrest of former President
Caillaux yesterday on the charge of
treason, was caused by Secretary
Lansing of the American Department
of State, wiring French officials that
Caillaux had been in communication
with the Berlin foreign office.
WILL BEARRESJED
Man Who Is Said to have Wrecked
S. S. Spokane Being Hunted by
Federal Officials
SEATTLE, Jan. 15.—The govern
ment today ordered the arrest of Wil
liam Swanson, the suspected wrecker
of the steamship Spokane, who Is be
lieved to be on the schooner Mary E.
Foster, on a-voyage from Port Lud
low to Honolulu.
HUN PEACE MOVE
llelim Proffer to Itussia is not Sin
cere and .Attitude is t'nohanged
on lui|M>rtant Questions.
WASHINGTON. I). l\, Jan. 15.
The conditions surrounding Count
Czernin’s proposals for a basts of
peace cause officials here to feel ap
prehension regarding their sincerity.
There is a great disposition to feel
that the object of tile German dele
gates is to protract the negotiations
as long as possible without any expec
tation of an immediate peace agree
ment with the double purpose of lead
ing the German people to believe their
government really is desirous of mak
ing peace and shifting the burden of
continuing the war upon the enemy.
One condition regarded as impossible
for the present at least is that the
adherence of all belligerents must be \
secured to the peace the Germans are!
trying to make with Russia before it J
can become effective. This is acconi-j
panicd by a demand for the return of!
the German colonies now in the pos
session of Russia's allies.
it can be stated authoritatively that
the position of the American govern
ment has not changed in any respect
with regard to its determination toi
enter into no agreement with a gov
ernment which does not represent the
free will of the governed people. This
would dispose of any hope the Ger-:
mans might have that America would j
enter the conference. As for the Ger
man colonies Lloyd George declared
that was a subject for the peace con
ference.
No provision is made in Count I
Czernin's terms for the return to:
France of Alsace-Lorraine, which is|
regarded here as a condition that must
be met as a preliminary to any peace
agreement.
In the light of the extraordinary ef
forts Germany has been making to
rid those provinces of French inhabi
tants it is believed hero that Germany
may propose a plebescite of inhabi
tants; relying upon the vote of Ger
man soldiers and the imported Ger
man population, but such a proposal
probably would be rejected by the
United States and her co-belligerents.
Apparently Belgium is promised
freedom by Count Czernin if all the
other German demands are met. But
officials note there is a reservation,
most inseparable from German diplo
macy, in the shape of “guarantees"
which Germany requires to Insure the
execution of all of these complicated
factors of the peace treaty. The Ger
man Insistence that the pledge to re
store the political Independence of
countrlea occupied by the central
powers shall not apply to nationali
ties which did not previously enjoy
independence, Is regarded as aimed
directly at the projected. Polish sthte.
War savings stamps now on sale at
the postodlee.
I
GKKMANY KKKI'K l. S.
riTIZKNS INHHOIKI)
From German sources have recent
ly come the Information that large
bodies of American troops are sta
tioned along the Hhine-Marne canal
and that a considerable hody of our
troops are clotte to, and some of them
in German territory along the Alsace
Lorraine lines. Thus, the informa
tion hitherto concealed from the pub
lic for war purposes, is revealed by
the enemy from whom we sought to
withhold it.—-Seattle P.-I.
Three Person* Killed, and Ten In
jured by .Shell* Thrown t'pon
Yarmouth from Sea
EON DON. Jan. 15.- -Twenty shells
were thrown from the sea upon the
town of Yarmouth on the northern
coast of England early this morning.
It is uncertain whether the shells were
thrown hy a German submarine or
destroyer. Three persons were killed
and ten injured.
FIMNUUNE
Walter .Spoertnun Grabbed While AG
tempting to Destroy Aviation
Plant at Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 15.—WaRer
Spoerman. a German spy wearing the
uniform of the American army, was
caught last night in the act of setting
Are to the oil magazine of the govern
ment aviation station here. Papers
taken from his person show that he
was a German agent in charge of var
ious plots to destroy American muni
tion and shipping plants and that he
had paid out $90,000 to German spies
working under the direction of Count
Bernstorff. when the latter was Ger
man ambassador to the United States.
Spoerman will undoubtedly be shot.
He is well known in Norfolk and has
an excellent character here. The pap
ers taken from him show, with other
evidence, that plans were nearly per
fected for extensive operations in dee
troying war equipment of all kinds.
Mat McGIade, the well known old
timer who has been employed by ths ]
Road Commsslon for several years,
returned to Valdes this morning on
the steamship Victoria.
M. Brock, president of the First <
Bank of Cordova, was a Valdes pas- i
senger this morning, and will remain
over until the return of the Victoria.
UniE PROSPECT
FOR EAM PEACE
Papal Nando* la Germany and Aus
tria Report to Vatican mat
War is Still favored
ItOMK, Jau. 16.—Pessimistic re
ports on possiblittes of early peace
have been received at the Vatican
from the papal nuncios in Germany
and Austria have been instructed by
the pope to ascertain the chances for
a cessation of hostilities on a basis
satisfactory to the central powers.
The papal representativea say that
peace is less favored in Germany and
Austria because of the belief there
that their prospects for victory are
improving. This has placed the mili
tary party in the ascendency in both
nations and at this time no peace
terms would be acceptable unless dic
tated by the junkers.
BOLSHEVIKI ARREST
R1MNJM ENVOYS
Entire Uyatinn of Balkan Kingdom
al Prtrogrud Taken Into Cu*
tody by Russians
PETROGKAD. Jan 15. The en
tire Rumanian legation here was ar
rested today by the Rolsheviki gov
ernment. causing a sensation among
the diplomatic corps. The reason for
the arrest has not been learned but it
is believed to be a move to force Ru
mania Into joining with Russia in the
peace movement.
THY DEMANDS i
RETURNOF EXILES
Wants Pol«*s, t Verbs and Lutlianians
Returned to Homes—Now Work
ing for Captors
i
________ I
LONDON. Jan. 15.—Foreign Min
ister Trotzky made a demand at the
Brest-Litovsk conference today that
all deported Poles. Czechs and Lithu
anans be returned to their homes in
Russia. Thousands of these persons
were deported to Germany by their
captors and are now working in the
fields and factories for their captors.
The Poles especially have suffered
from German invasion, hardly a male
Inhabitant being left in that country.
PUN TO MIT
MANTHEN
Quarter Million Men Asked to Work.
iu Plants tor Government—Good
Wages Assured
WASHINGTON, D. C.. Jan. 16.—
It was announced here today that
plans had been perfected tor recruit
ing a quarter of a million men into
the government service to work in
the shipyards of the nation. $80,
000,000 has been appropriated for the
initial payment of these men and they
will work under military supervision
and discipline.
8UPT- JOHN EMEL
RETURNS FROM STATES
gupt. John Bmel of the Valdes
Paoklng Company returned this morn
ing from the States on the steamship
Victoria. Mr. Bmel Is in town arrang
ing for his fishermen and construc
tion on the new buildings to be erect
ed and will return to Seattle on the
steamship Admiral Brans. He reports
•ah prises good and that hf upsets
to put up a large pack this season.
RUSSIA POISONED
BY HUN INFLUENCE
John K. fitnnu Hay* German Propa
ganda and latbor Agitator*
Have Produced Chao*.
John K. Stevens, the eminent engi
neer. who is working in Russia to put
the railroads of that country on au
effective basis, recently visited Tokyo,
and while there made the following
statements, according to press dis
patches:
! “The Russian situation is very im
portant as it involves the return of
1.Sort.000 German and Austrian ef
fectives and gives unlimited possibil
ities to the German organization of
Russia's resources and man power.
“Russia at present presents a com
pletely chaotic condition, permeated
tiy the most clever German propagan
da. Nevertheless, I believe the bet •
Iter judgment of the mass of the peo
! pie will tie asserted and Germany will
;not succeed In forcing a separate
I peace. Such a peace cannot he con
[cluthd if the allies promptly givo
their theory and suggestions.
Maximalists Very Strong.
The Maximalists in control now
are very strong; in fact are much
stronger than are generally credited.
In any future reorganization they
must he considered and handled with
caution.
"The chans is most evident in the
manufactories and railway shops
where the workmen's and soldiers’
delegates are now in absolute control.
They work or not. as they please, and
everywhere workmen may be seen
loafing Women are doing much of
the work in the shops along the rail
way tracks and in the fields and even
acting as brskestnen. Where one
woman is working 500 men are loaf
ing.
“A hundred thousand soldiers are
crowding the stations, attempting the
management of the trains and sup
porting themselves on a small daily
allowance to which they add by thiev
ery and smuggling
The railways and other industries
are operating at only :?0 per cent of
their power. Food is plentiful hut is
not being distributed. The peasants
are holding a three years' crop of
wheat and other staples but refuse to
sell because the ruble has greatly de
preciated In value or is regarded by
them with suspicion.
('oal and Food Shortage.
"The government evidently is un
able to commandeer food and a fam
ine threatens for which the peasants
are largely responsible. There is also
a coal famine and the production is
only one-third of normal because the
miners are refusing to work.
“At Vladivostok the supplies of all
kinds are carefully guarded. The
port authorities have erected large
warehouses and there is not much de
terioration of the supplies. The Bol
sheviki are in possession and the sol
diers maintain order but the laborers
are uneasy at the prospect.
“Siberia is not so much disturbed
as Russia, aud it is the people’s desire
to support auy government appearing
stable. The uncertainty in Russia
rests in the vast preponderance of
the 130,000,000 persons in the peas
ant class. If Germany is allowed to
finance and advise them the situation
is lost.
ITALIANS WIN AT
MONTE m
Inflict Heavy Losses Upon Germ**
Armies in Fierce Engagement
on Long Front
ROME. Jan. 15.—The Italians In
flicted heavy losses upon the enemy
on a long front in the Monte Aslago
region. Fighting was continuous for
many hoars and considerable ground
was gained by the Italian forces.
Kenneth Rudolph, proprietor of th»
City Express, with Mrs. Rudolph and
baby Karl, left on the steamer Victor
ia this morning for Seward where Mr.
Rudolph will engage In business. Hia
business here will be run by C. t%
Rudolph. ____ . .J