VOL. 13 VALDEZ, ALA8KA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1915. NO. 37.
WARNING IS SENT
TO GEO. CARRANZA
Bryan Sends Note Asking Explanation
and Warning Him He Is Play
ing With Fire.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—Provis
ional President Carranza, of Mexico,
has been warned by Secretary Bry
an, of the State Department, that in
terference with foreign diplomats in
Mexico will not be tolerated. General
Carranza has also been asked for an
explanation of the affair which led
to the whipping and expulsion of Jose
Caro, Spanish minister to Mexico.
Minister Caro is still in the city
awaiting a reply from his govern
ment concerning his further move
ments. He believes the Spanish gov
ernment will demand that America
take steps to punish the Mexican of
ficers who whipped him on the or
ders of Carranza. Other foreign min
isters in Mexico City are reported to
be preparing to protect themselves
from indignities which Carranza is
offering all foreigners in the repub
lic.
GERMAN Him If
TO PURSUE P( H
Berlin Reports People Care Nothing
for Protests From Nations As
They Are Starving.
BERLIN, Feb. 13.—The German
people are a unit in insisting that
the government permit the German
admiralty to pursue its policy relent
lessly against British commerce de
spite the protests from Washington
and the Scandinavian union. Mass
meetings have been held in many
German cities as protests against any
action on the part of the government
which might serve to hamper the ad
miralty through fear of the possible
consequences.
It is declared that the neutral na
tions have received sufficient warn
ing^ two weeks peing allowed be
tween the time the decree was is
sued and the time when the admiralty
begins its activities, and that if
caught in the military zone and de
stroyed it will be their own fault.
Germany is facing starvation at
the hands of the British government
and can pursue no other course in
retaliation than in working destruc
tion among her commerce.
An Italian experimenter has found
that mulberry leaves for silk worms
can be kept successfully in cold stor
age indefinitely.
HINDENBURG GAINS VICTORY IN EAST PRUSSIA
BERLIN. Feb. 13—This city is cel
ebrating the great victory of General
Hindenburg over the Russian invad
ers in East Prussia. The streets have
been decorated and the government
bakeries have been liberal in giving
out supplies to aid In making the
occasion one of joy.
30,000 Prisoners Captured.
The German troops from Warsaw
and other reinforcements from inter
ior German forts, consisting of eight
corps, enveloped the Russian forces
extending from the right bank of the
Vistula river to a point near Fort
Lyck. German troops were massed
against the Russian center ana Drean
ing through were able to crush both
the right and left wings of the Rus
sians. Thirty thousand prisoners,
with hundreds of cannon and other
artillery \flere also captured.
Russian Retreat Cut Off.
When the Russian center was brok
en the right and left wings of the
invading army which was beginning
to feel the grip of the German vise at
tempted to retreat to Poland, but
were cut off by the German forces
which spread fandike after crushing
the Russian center.
BERLIN REPORTS RUSSIAN INVADERS NORTH OF MLAWA DEFEAT
ED WITH CAPTURE OF THIRTY THOUSAND PRISONERS AND
HUNDREDS OF CANNON—STRONG GERMAN FORCE ENVELOP
ED RUSSIAN ARMY AFTER CRUSHING CENTER—GERMANS CAP
TURE FRENCH TRENCHES NORTH OF VERDUN—FRENCH GAIN
ING GROUND NEAR METZ—FLEET OF AEROPLANES RAID GER
MAN POSITIONS IN BELGIUM. j
Germans Bombarding Verdun.
BERLIN, Feb. 13.—The Germans
have captured the trenches occupied
by the French north of Verdun and
•have gained decided advantageous po
sitions from which to operate against
the fortess. The town is now being
subjected! to terrific artillery bom
bardment preparatory to an advance
by infantry. The French loss in de
fending the trenches before Verdun
were very heavy.
_
French Admit Loss.
LONDON, Feb. 13.—Advices from
Paris state that the Germans have
routed the French troops from the
trenches near Verdun and that the
city is now being bombarded by artil
lery. The German position is such
as to command the city and it is
believed the city will be wrecked.^
Germans Repulsed At Metz.
The heavy fighting in Alsace yes
terday south of Metz resulted in the
■German forces being repulsed with
losses. The dispatches state that sev
eral important positions in Alsace
were captured after desperate bayo
net charges by the French troops fol
lowing the shelling of the German
trenches.
Aeroplanes Raid German Positions.
LONDON, Feb. 13.—A fleet of
thirty-four French and British aero
planes raided tl e German positions
in Belgium and northern Prance yes
terday, doing enormous damage. The
fleet visited Brugges, Zeebrugge, Os
tend, Blankenburg and other cities
used by the Germans as bases of
supplies. During the raid one aviat
or was hit by the fragment of a shell
fired by the Germans which disabled
his machine but was able to guide
his machine to earth some distance
from the German positions. Another
aviator who observed the plight of his
fellow aviator descended to earth
through a rain of German bullets and
shells and succeeded in rescuing the
occupants Of the machine. Three
other machines in the fleet were dam
aged but were able to reach the pro
tection of the Allies.
Great Damage Wrought.
At Ostend the fleet dropped hun
dreds of bombs which destroyed the
railroad stations and other buildings,
■which were believed to be used by
the Germans as supply depots. At
Blankenburge the railroad stations
■were also destroyed. It Is believ*
ed that several sheds where Zeppe
lins were housed were destroyed by
the raiders. _
ALASKA R. R. APPROPRIATION PASSES HOUSE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—The sun
dry Civil Appropriations bill, contain
ing an item of $2,000,000 for the con
struction of railroads in Alaska pass
ed the House just before adjournment
last night.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13—A determ
ined effort was made In the House
yesterday afternoon to eliminate the
appropriation of $2,000,000 for the
Alaska railroads from the Sundry
Civil Appropriations bill.
The fight on the appropriation was
started by Representative Samuel J.
Tribble, of Georgia, who charged that
it would be wrong to pass the ap
propriation at this time when the
members were Ignorant of how or
where the money was to be spent.
He hinted that the money might be
used for the purchase of the Copper
River & Northwestern railroad, which
was regarded by the Guggenhelms as
a white elephant which they were
anxious to unload upon the govern
FIGHT MADE BY SOUTHERN AND EASTERN MEMBERS TO ELIMI
NATE ITEM FROM SUNDRY CIVIL APPROPRIATIONS BILL WAS
LED BY REPRESENTATIVE TRIBBLE, OF GEORGIA—OKLAHOMA
REPRESENTATIVE WANTED TO REDUCE AMOUNT TO $1,000,000
UNTIL KNOWN WHERE MONEY WAS TO BE SPENT—APPRO
PRIATION DEFENDED BY FITZGERALD, OF NEW YORK, AND
DELEGATE WICKERSHAM.
ment at any price. It was argued
that delay In making the appropria
tion would be the wisest course to
pursue under the circumstances as
the engineers who had made the pre
liminary surveys of the different
routes from tidewater to interior Alas
ka had not as yet formulated their
report.
Representative James S. Davenport,
of Oklahoma, attempted to have the
appropriation reduced to $1,000,000
for the present year’s operations In
Alaska railroad construction, pleading
poverty through loss of revenue to
the government owing to the Euro
pean war.
The appropriation was championed
by Representative Fitzgerald, of New
York, and Delegate Wlckersham, of
Alaska. The champ'ons of the ap
propriation declared that the matter'
had been thoroughly fought out in
the Committee on Appropriations be
fore being Included in the Sundry
Civil Appropriations bill. They ex
pressed comp'ete confidence in the in
tegrity of President Wilson and Sec
retary Franklin K. Lane to see that
the money was spent where it would
accomplish the most good in open
ing the resources of Alaska to the
commerce of the world.
It is believed that the fight on the
Alaska railroad appropriation will be
renewed in the Senate. It is report
ed in congressional circles that the
administration will attempt to have
the amount raised to $5,000,000, be
lieving that the House will sanction
the increase if approved by the Sen
ate.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—No fur
ther news concerning the Alaska rail
road, it is believed, will be given out
for the next two weeks. Secretary
Franklin K. Lane has announced that
'he plans making a trip to his home
in San Francisco and it is believed
the findings of the engineers’ report
will be delayed until his return to the
capital.
HUE DESTROYS
CUIUGO THEATRE
CHICAGO, Feb. 13.—The Chicago
Academy of Music, the oldest theater
building in the city, ‘ was destroyed
by fire yesterday. The origin of the
fire is a mystery and is being inves
tigated by the insurance company
which carried a policy on the build
ing.
GERMANY SAYS UNITEDSTATES1ST
HAVE ENGLAND LIFE FOOD EMBARGO
WILLING TO MODIFY ADMIRALTY'S DECREE EXTENDING WAR ZONE
BUT WILL INSI8T UPON FREE COMMERCE WITH NEUTRAL
NATIONS AS THE PRICE FOR HER CONCESSION.
BERLIN. Feb. 13.—It is believed
that Germany’s answer to Secretary
Bryan, of the United States State De
partment, will be to the effect that
Germany will modify the decree is
sued by the German admiralty if de
sired by the United States.
It is understood that for her action
in mitigating the activities of the
German admiralty against commerce
that the United States must prevail
upon Great Britain to lift the embark
against the importation of foodstuffs
to Germany from any neutral nation.
Secretary Bryan’s note is regarded
by German diplomats as very sharp
and pointed and there is little doubt
but that Germany will make it equal
ly plain that the government intends
taking all steps which will cripple
the commerce of the hostile nations
in retaliation for the embargo placed
on German commerce by England.
It is contended that under the cir
cumstances Germany has nothing to
lose as the allied nations have de
stroyed the overseas commerce of the
empire and have shut off importa
tions of foodstuffs in an effort to
starve Germany into submission.
ITALY ADOPTS WAR
BREAD MEASURE
LONDON, Feb. 13.—Advices from
Rome state that the Italian govern
ment has adopted war bread and has
forbidden bakers to use all white
flour in the manufacture of bread.
The war bread of Italy is composed
of one-eighth bran or rice and is de
clared to be wholesome and nourish
ing. The suply of foodstuffs of all
kinds are dangerously short in Italy
and the government has warned the
citizens that care must be used to
prevent famine.
ANTI-ABSINTHE LAW
PASSED BY EBANCE
PARIS. Feb. 13.—The Chamber of
Deputies has passed the antl-abslnthe
bill after a fight lasting for several
weeks. The measure provides severe
punishment for Infringements of the
law, preventing the manufacture or
sale of absinthe in France.
In Australia, where the rabbit pest
has been a serious problem for years,
it is estimated that ten rabbits eat
as much as one sheep.
In a new automobile signal for fol
lowing vehicles hands are illuminat
ed to indicate the direction that »
car is going to turn as the driver
presser the buttons on the steering
wheel.
NEVADA WILL HAVE
USE RACING
CARSON CITY, Nev., Feb. 13.—The
assembly yesterday afternoon adopt
ed a resolution establishing a race
horse commission to be appointed by
the governor of the state.
The passage of the measure is hail
ed with delight by followers of the
races, believing that it will establish
racing on a firms; basis than ever
before. The commission will have
power to check any manipulation of
the races by the owners of horses for
betting purposes.
FREIGHTER CORDOVA
BRINGSJXPLOSIVES
The freighter Cordova arrived in
Valdez about 7 o'clock this morning
in command of Captain Thos. Moore,
bringing gasoline and explosives. The
Cordova took on ore at Ellamar and
after unloading the local shipments
left for Latouche, where she will
complete her cargo of copper ore for
the Tacoma smelter.
The freighter Latouche is now on
her way northward with a cargo of
coal for points along the coast of
Northwestern Alaska.
A Texas Inventor’s clothespin con
sists of a loop of spring wire that
holds a garment against a line be
tween the ends of the wire.
UTAH WILL Sill
BEJT STATE
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 13.—After
a prolonged debate the state senate
has passed a measure providing for
state-wide prohibition. The opposi
tion of the bill used every endeavor
to prevent the measure coming to a
vote.
DOUBLE MURDER
IN OAKLAND CITY
Retired Banker and Wife Found
Dead In Their Home With
Heads Crushed In.
*
OAKLAND, Feb. 13— Jacob Vogel,
a retired banker and his wife were
murdered in their home in this city
yesterday. The aged couple occupied
their own home and the crime was
not discovered for some hours after
the murders had been committed, giv
ing the murderers plenty of time to
effect their escape.
The police have been unable to
pick up any clue as to the Identity
of the murderers, but are working on
the theory that the deed was com
mitted by persons with whom the
Vogels were acquainted, as the prem
ises showed no sign of having been
forcibly entered.
Oakland, as well as all other cities
near San Francisco, is overrun by
vags and confidence men who have
been attracted to the coast believing
that they will have an opportunity
of working the guests of the exposi
tion.
ANOTHER PROTEST
ON WAR DECREE
Scandinavian Nations Protest Against
German Blockade of Commerce
In English Channel.
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 13.—The gov
ernments of Sweden, Denmark and
Norway, acting jointly, have sent a
strong protest to the German gov
ernment against the decree issued by
the German admiralty including the
waters surrounding England, Ireland
and the English Channel in the war
zone.
The joint note declares that the
decree if carried out will result in
the destruction of the commerce of
the couuntries and endanger the
lives and property of the neutral na
tions. That German submarines
should be sent into the high seas with
orders to rely upon their own judg
ments to distinguish friendly from
hostile ships, the note declares, Is
unbelievable on the part of the Ger
man government.
»After extensive tests German ex
perts have decided that Ivy benefits
rather than injures stone or brick
walls on which it grows by drawing
superfluous moisture from them.
A whistle for signalling traffic that
is blown by a rubber bulb like an
automobile horn has been Invented
by a California policeman.
SENWOB JONES WOULD INCREASE
FUNDS FOR ALASKA ROAD COMMISSION
ASKS FOR $200,000 IN ORDER THAT NEW WORK MAY BE TAKEN UP
AS NEARLY ALL OF $125,000 APPROPRIATION WILL BE RE
QUIRED FOR UPKEEP OF PRESENT SYSTEM.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—Senator
Jones, of Washington state, has in
troduced an amendment calling for an
increased appropriation of money for
the Alaska road commission. The
bill as introduced called for an appro
priation of $125,000. The amendment
makes the sum $200,000.
Senator Jones stated that the
amount asked for in the bill would
merely provide for the maintenance
of the roads which were already con
structed and would leave nothing for
undertaking the building of new roads
and trails to camps which has been
developed during the past several
years but which were still isolated
through the want of transportation,
The western senator declared that
the government should at once in
augurate the construction of a sys
tem of wagon roads and trails to all
districts adjacent to the proposed
route of the government railroad
from tidewater to Interior Alaska. He
expressed the belief that the country
would be slow in development un
less the wagon roads were built to
furnish tonnage for the railroad.