VOLUME XIV. VALDEZ, ALASKA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1818 NUMBER 30
DESKS PtACE
win
'toys Coaid Accept Term* With Lee*
KmburraMunmit Than With Ger
many—Addresses Conjjren*
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 12.—
President Wilson made a remarkable
address in congress today when he
openly invited Austria to a further
discussion of peace with the United
States. The address was made to a
joint session of congress and created
a sensation among his hearers. The
President laid down as a basis for
opening peace negotiations with Aus
tria the fact that he conceded the es
sential principles involved and the
necessity of candidly applying them
in response to the proposed peace as
expressed by the United States. He
stated that negotiations could be
conducted with Austria with less em
barrassment than with Germany.
Will Kliniinate Austria
WASHINGTON, D. C.. Feb. 13
Congress and many Washington of
ficials today generally agree that the
President’s speech will hasten the el
imination of Austria from the war.
Austria Will Accept
ZURICH. Feb. 13—An Austrian of
ticial now in Switzerland declares
that Austria is ready to accept Presi
dent Wilson’s peace terms.
MOW VAIilllffl ORGANIZATION
A branch of the Comforts Forward
ing Committee has been organized in
Valdez. Alaska, and will meet in Val
dez Hall every Thursday afternoon
at two o’clock.
Any one desiring to work through
this channel for our soldiers, sailors
and the needy in foreign lands will
be cordially welcomed.
Next Thursday will be devoted to
remodeling old clothes. Bring or send
any you have to give.
ELECTION HELD
AT MTU
Harry Long is Chosen Mayor and
Kdward Warsden is Select
ed for Secretary
Indians at Metlakatla the other day
held their town election. Five days
before the regular election day candi
dates were nominated at a large pub
lic meeting of the people. Various ex
pressions of opinion were given by
the speakers. All the way through an
earnest desire for more business ac
tivities, more enlightened education,
more progress and freedom in reli
gion and local government were ask
ed for. The prevailing sentiments
were for a united action an all public
questions by the commtfnity.
The election day was quiet. There
were no band wagons by any of the
candidates to influence the voters.
There were 121 votes cast of the
male population above the ages of 21.
The elected candidates were chosen
for two years, and they are as fol
lows:
Mayor, Harry Long, secretary. Ed
ward Marsden; treasurer Chas. Bren
dile, and Councilmen, Fred H. Ver
ney, Daniel Reece. Frank Allen, Jac
ob Bolton, Jacob Scott and Adolphus
Calvert.
It is worthy to note that of all the
candidates, Mr. Marsden, who has
done so much to improve the condi
tion of his people, received the high
est number of votes, which was 89.
This shows the confidence of his own
people in him, for it was the case of
the office seeking the man and not
otherwise. He had preferred to take
no active part from this year on but
his people would not have it that way.
As secretary he Is the legal custodian
of all the public properties belonging
to the people of Metllcahtla, except
ing what is owned by the government,
and besides thiB he has many duties
to perform under the rules.
The mayor and councilman receive
pp salaries. Both the aMsetary »Pd
treasurer, .are allowed jlj) each per
year for the expense of accounts and
bo, aaowanoe Is made for traveling
expanses-—Anchorage Times.
Mi FORCES BE
Bolshevik! Hay That While Peace
Treaty Not Hlgned Htate of
War No (longer Exists
AMSETERDAM. Feb. 13. A dis
patch Rent from the separate peace
council at Brest-Lltovsk today says
that the present Russian delegates at
Sunday’s sitting stated that while
Russia was deciding the form for
signing the formal peace treaty It de
clared that a state of war no longer
existed between Russia and Germany,
Austro-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgar
ia,a nd gave orders for the simultan
eous and complete demobilisation of
the Russian forces on all fronts.
It is epocted that the peace proto
col will be signed within the next few
days.
Demobilization t'onfirmed
LONDON, Feb 13.—A government
| dispatch confirms the demobilization
| of the Russian army by the Bolshe
| viki.
WILHELM TALKS
T _ '“j
Says Victory of (ieiinan Arms Must
he Recognized Tlien Peace
Will <\>me
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 13.—“We de
sire to live in friendship with our
neighboring peoples, but the vltA.ory
of the German arms must first be
recognized. Our troops under the
great Von Hindenburg will continue
to win it; then peace will come,” Em
peror Wilhelm said in a speech today,
replying to an address of welcome by
the Burgomeister of Hamburg.
KEY. ZINN GOES TO SEWARD
Kev. George John Zinn, rector of
the local Episcopal Church, will he a
passenger on the steamship Admiral
Evans for Latouclie, where he will
hold services. He will take the North
western for Seward, where he will
make arrangements to have the new
rectory he is building at that place
plastered and finished up in time for
his family to move over as soon as
school ends in Valdez. Kev. Zinn has
designed the building and superin
tended its construction, and it is said
to be a model of convenience and
comfort. He will return to Valdez on
the Evans.
BEGINNING OF LENT
Today is Ash Wednesday, the be
ginning of Lent.
MOTOlt MECHANIC!) WILL
BE RECRUITED BY ARMY
WASHINGTON: That America's
air fleet is about to have exciting ad
ventures is evidenced by the an
nouncement that the aviation corps
is in urgent need of 194 chauffeurs
and motor truck drivers, 3,662 auto
and gas engine men, 1,360 machin
ists, 220 blacksmith forgers, 220
wheelrlghts, 504 cabinet makers, 460
sheet metal workers and others to a
total of 7,000 for service in France
behind the lines.
They will belong to the motor me
chanic’s regiment—the first of its
sort in American history.
Only men outside the draft ages
are acceptable under the call, and
they must be at least 13 and under
40.
There are also wanted for the
same regiment 200 cooks, 100 canvas
workers, eighty house and sign paint
ers, twenty harness makers and
eighty acetylene welders.
The United States public reserve of
the department of labor, which has
undertaken to get these 7,000 men for
the aviation corps, states that the men
specified are urged to enlist at any
recruiting station, and that they
should not leave jobs in shipyards or
war, industries for this sejprlce, at
tractive u t,t js. the,regiment will
have a short period of training «t
Fort Hancock, Go., before going to
France.
4
CALLED "WAD".
BEGAN SHOOING
Confirmation of Killing of America**
i
on French Front German*
Ambuahed Troop*
AMERICAN ARMY, France. Feb.
13.—The killing of five Americans
and the capture of four was given dfct
here today. It is stated that a strong
party of Germans ambushed a patrol
of American scouts in no man's land,
and when they approached called
“kamerad" and began tiring. The
Americans put up a brave resistance
but were greatly outnumbered, and
were forced to fall back, leaving five
of their number dead.
American Killed Today
FRANCE, Feb. 13.—Oue Ameri
can was killed and five wounded in
an artillery duel on the French front
today. The German artillery has be
come increasingly active during the
past few days.
HESSIAN CHAOS GROWING
WORSE; REDS NEAR END
LONDON. Kel). 13. The latest re
ports received here from British cor
respondents in l’etrograd say condi
tions there steadily are becoming
worse. Opposition to the holshcviki
government is growing principally be
cause of the recent murder of two for
mer members of the Kerensky cabi
net.
The Bolsheviki are bringing many
troops from the front, apparently for
the protection of the government
members. Crowds of persons assem
ble at the street corners to listen to
sidewalk orators, many of whom op
enly denounce the Bolsheviki regime.
The police have disappeared and it
is a daily occurrence for soldiers in
automobiles to pull well dressed citi
zens into the cars, to divest them of
their outer garments and leave them
half naked in the snow.
No family in Petrograd is allowed
to occupy more than four rooms. A
simple meal costs from BO to 80 ru
bles. ,
Economic conditions are in a state
of complete chaos. Postage stamps of
the czaristic rebime are made to
serve for small change. Similar con
ditions exist at Kronstadt, where the
hanks have been sacked und their of
ficials turned into the streets.
NORTHWESTERN PASSES JUNEAU
The steamship Northwestern pass
ed Juneau at 9 p. in. the 11th and
will arrive in Cordova some time to
night. sailing for V'aldez tomorrow
morning.
EVANS IN CORDOVA
The steamship Admiral Evans ar
rived in Cordova at 4:30 this morn
ing and sailed about 7 o'clock for
Valdez. The Prospector received no
passenger list and cannot say who is
aboard for this city.
All kinds of cardboard signs for
temporary use. Tresspass signs,
Glass-handle with care. For Rent, Of
fice Upstairs, etc, for sale at the
Prospector Office.
AMERICA STILL PREPARING
America's part in the war is still
confinedt o the work of preparation,
drilling the million and a half of men
under arms, sending food and other
supplies to Europe, and building
ships to carry them. The output of
merchant shipping in 1917 was 901,
223 tons, or nearly double that of
1916, and almost half of the world's
output of that year.l, 899,943 tons.
This output of American yards will
be increased enormously during the
present year. The sinking by subma
rines are estimated at about 5,000
000 tons.
PETROLEUM EXPORTS
The exports of petroleum from
Tampico and Tuxpam, Mexico, for the
months of October and November
amounted to over six million barrels,
from which were collected export
taxes of half a million dollars in gold.
Twenty-five vessels with cargoes of
oil cleared from Tampico during the
week ending Deoember 4.
Hugh Cutting of Dawson was ser
iously injured recently when a eteatp
gauge, near which he wee workipg,
buret and pleeee of flying glaae cut
him in the eye.
ITALIANS REPULSE
War Office Reporta Numerous Offen
sives of Great Violence Broken
np on Italian Front
ROME. Feb. 13.—Tbe war office
reports the repulse of very violent of
fensive thrusts by infantry on the
front near the Aslago plateau. The ar
tillery fire has been concentrated and
Is unusually severe. The attacks were
all broken up and the enemy repulsed
with losses.
WILL EXCHANGE
WARMERS
Ormans anil Russians Sign Agree
ment to Release l*risoners I'nfit
for Military Duty
AMSTERDAM. Eeb. 13. The Ger
man and Russian delegates at Petro
grud. according to a dispatch from
Berlin, have signed an agreement
calling for the earliest possible ex
change of prisoners of war unfit for
further military service. There are
about two million men affected by the
agreement.
Not Taken Seriously
PARIS, Feb. 13.— France does not
take seriously the signing of the
treaty between the central powers and
the Ukraine government of south
i western Russia.
Not Recognize Treaty
LONDON, Feb. 13.—The British
government will not recognize the
treaty of peace signed by the central
powers and the Ukrainian govern
ment.
Berlin Rejoices
BERLIN. Feb. 13.—The city is in
gala attire today over the signing of
peace between Germany and the Uk
ranian government.
SEIZE TRUCK
LOADS RECORDS
Believe Phonographic Supplier Con
tain Information of Value to
Alien Enemies
NEW YORK CITY, Feb. 13—Eight
large motor truck loads of records
were seized by the federal authorities
today. They arrived on the steam
ship Nieuw Amsterdam, yesterday,
and are believed to contain Informa
tion of value to the enemy. Forty pas
sengers were also interned until the
authorities can investigate their char
acter. It is believed they are enemy
spies.
NOTICE TO LAUNCH OWNERS
The City wishes to provide some
kind of shelter for the small boats
that ply the Sound waters, and will
be pleased to have suggestions from
boat operators as to the most feasible
plan of construction. Address all
communications to W. M. Meals,
City Clerk. tf
A large number of sleighing parties
were out yesterday, the day being
nearly too warm for comfort.
At the next smoker held at the
Post by the Garrison Amusement As
sociation, several good boxing exhibi
tions will be staged between local ex
perts In the squared circle. Valdes
has a number of good boxers who are
anxious to pit their skill against the
soldiers boys’ champions, and the ev
ents will be worth going far to see.
The date will be announced later.
M. If ally was recently broqght Into
Dawson suffering from a frosen foot,
the accident occurred on Christman
Eve and he will probably loee two
toes.
BIDS ASKED
JR FLYERS
Government Oonslderin* Plan of Car
f, ' % Mall by Airplane* to
Interior Polnta
WASHINGTON. D. C., Feb. 13.—
That airplane mail service will be in
augurated in Alaska at no distant
date is indicated by the postofflce de
partment calling for bids yesterday
on five airplanes for such service on
routes between Washington, Phila
delphia. and New York. Alaska pres
ents no obstacle to such service, the
long distances between points making
airplane mall service especially feas
ible between Valdez and Fairbanks,
aud other coast points and the inter
ior.
GIVES PRAISE
TOHHBERG
Says Numerous Victories Won by Ger
man General t’aune of Russia's
Readiness for l*eace
BERNE. Feb. 13. - The kaiser to
day wired Gen. Von Hindenburg that
Russia's readiness to withdraw from
the war was due to Gen Von Hinden
burg's victories. Because of these he
said that Gen. Von Hindenburg and
the German army were the real peace
delegates.
NUMEROUS AIR BATTLES
FRANCE, Feb. 13.—Numerous en
counters in the air over the American
sector were a feature of today's fight
ing. Artillery on both sides is contin
uously active.
('ABLE REPAIRED
The Seattle-Sitka cable, which
went out of commission Saturday,
was repaired at 7:30 last night. The
break was discovered off Cape Flat
tery in 600 fathoms of water, and up
on grappling for it the line broke
several times before being brought to
the surface. The Burnside returned
to Seattle.
SEATTLE ATTORNEY 1»EAI»
SEATTLE, Feb 13.—James L. j
Crotty, a well known attorney of this
city, with offices in the New York
building, died yesterday from pneu
monia.
WANT WOMEN’S WAGES RAISED
PORTLAND. Ore.: A conference
has been called by the state industrial
welfare commission, at which the
question will be discussed of the pro
posed adoption of an advanced mini
mum wage scale for women. Mrs.
Nellie R. Trumbull, a member of the
commission, will advocate the ad
vance, which, she declares, is based
upon an advance In the cost of food
of 48 per cent within the last year.
The present minimum wage for wo
men in mercantile establishments is
$9.25 and that in manufacturers
$8.65.
GOOD PROGRAM AT
THE EMPRESS THURSDAY
Hank Mann in “There’s Many a
Fool." will be shown at the Empress
tomorrow night. This is one of the
best comedies shown for a long time.
Another sparkling comedy, “A Foot
light Flame," will also be Bhown with
a late Pathe News included. This is
one of the best night’s entertainment
presented for some time, and Man
ager Owen Meals states that every
scene is a hearty laugh.
NEW PAPER FOR CORDOVA
Lloyd Stickler, the well known
printer and publisher, was a passen
ger on the Victoria on her recent trip
from the westward, en route to Cor
dova, where be stated he would start
a weekly paper end job office, later
developing It Into a dally If the pat
ronage warranted it. Mr. Stickler has
secured an option, on the Will Steels
outfit, which has been stored In Cor
don for some time, hut ta to. first
condition. As half a young man
of ability and a liustler he will up
gl™ the dtlsens of Cor
dova a good paper*
GEORGE SAYS
AFFAIRS CRITICAL
Kin* Demands Full Use of Country's
• ‘ t .
Rnergies and Resonrcen War
Must be Fought Out
LONDON, Feb. 13.—In his speech
today at the opening of parliament,
the king said that the struggle had
reached the most critical condition
of its stage, and demanded that more
than ever the country use its energies
and resources to the fullest power.
The king said that Germany must
recognize the only principles upon
which peace could be concluded and
that it is the duty of the British to
prosecute the war with ait the vigor
they possess.
No Real Peace tillered ,
LONDON. Feb. 13.—"The far
must go on," Lloyd George told fee
House of Commons today. "There is
no real peace meaning in the state
ment of Count Czernin or Von Ifcer*
ling " •
_ . i
. ; r
_ ■!
I
Give Semite Military < 'oiniiiitbec l|e
tailed Information ns to ho\%
Troops lie Transpirt^^d' 11 1
WASHINGTON. I). (\. Feb. 13. -
Secretary Baker supplied the senate
committee today with detailed secret
information as to how he intended fo
transport a million troops to Franpe
this year. The military committee
still has the secretary on the staijd
and is probing every detail of his war
plans.
AUSTRIANS TAKE
U'll |r.'l b' i •« I ■ ■ ;» .
MANY PRISONERS
_• ■ • » » v : ».f?
• . II -i
lu Attack ••» Italian I’liniioai Aus
trian Forces Take One Iftltiilrefl
• |'|M 'I I * I * »Itv
and Fa^hty Men
.— »- *
BERLIN. Keb .iJaVTtap Jfr.strifn
forces attacking pdrfit&ift south ,*»f
Sasso Rosso to Ok one hundred and
eighty prisoners of war. the war Of
fice announced today, as well as ^ a
large quantity of guns and equipment
Austrians ('becked
ROME. Feb. 13.—The Austrians
renewed their attempt to take |he
Italian positions on the west BreQta
river, but were checked by the allied
forces. /• 'S
_*
iVx i
DEMOCRATS K ^ ■
IN _ SrpFKAfeE
„ '**' - ' :
WASHING Feb. I3v -
Indorsement of federal amend
ment for universal wrtfrtga Was Vot
ed today by the'ttsecnfSe committee
of the nationaj^etnOcf^tlp coy m ltfee.
POWKli P^AP^R
The Prospector vft|lly intended to
issue a paper yesteri^aV^but the pow
er going off bifoii^ooNu and remain
ing off for ?c®e tfre mtkifcit impos
sible to get UP Bufh^DU^nMjUer. pb a
holiday jrjjfJtecXaju&if appear
today asfrftjial\vp(Ml yesterday's news
and todfr^ln prospec
tor Is I, ma
chinery the
linotype and
any lnte t cuts
us off fortun
ate in lining ptifn In Jta
_one of the*
its on the coast, but
accid 4 afraid bm