*
Ollu> 'Buibtz Bmip T^ra&pzttm
* VALDEZ, ALA8KA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1914. no. 377.
VOL. 10.
STORM DELAYS POLAND BATTLE
INTENSE COLD AND HEAVY SNOW HALTS SLAUGHTER
GERMANS SAID TO HAVE LEFT NORTHERN POLAND
BERLIN REPORTS CAPTURE OF TOWN NEAR WARSAW
PRESIDENT SOON
SELECT TERMINUS
For the Alaska Raiilroad—Commis
sion Report Nearly Ready for
Publication.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22—President
Wilson announced today that the
time of the building of the Alaska
railroad would be decided shortly.
Also that the place for the coast
terminus would be decided within a
very short time.
The members of the Alaska Engi
neering Commission have been work
ing for several weeks to have the
data collected last summer in shape
for comparison. A large force of
draftsmen are still busy on the task
but are expected to finish the work
this week.
The president will make the selec
tion of the route to be taken, but it
is not expected that any special mes
sage will be sent to congress regard
ing the road, but rather that the ad
minnistration will endeavor to have
appropriated $5,000,000 for the work
next year.
ARMY AVI
($_ DROWNED
SAN DIEGO, Cal., Dec. 22.—Fred
erick Gernster, an army aviator from
the military aviation school here,
was drowned yesterday and Capt. L.
C, Mueller wa£ rescued when the
aeroplane in which they were trying
to reach shore against a 40-mile gale
was suddenly wrecked.
Gernster and Mueller [had made
a trip to Los Angeles from the par
ade grounds and were returning
when they were caugm in the sudden
storm and driven out to sea. Try as
they would to bring the machine to
shore they found it impossible.
A dozen launches tried to reach
them when the airship was forced in
to the water. The two fast boats
kept by the government in charge of
experts to render aid in case of trou
ble to the airmen were able to reach
the wreck in time to save the life
of Capt. Mueller, but Gernster must
have been injured and sunk immedi
ately or else was caught under the
wreckage and drowned.
Gernster is the eighteenth aviator
killed to date.
CHRISTMAS ME
HUGEST EVER
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22—The
Christmas mall has been the largest
ever handled by the department. The
parcels post has greatly increased the
amount of business. One hundred
thousand new mall sacks were order
ed last week in a rush as all the sacks
are out an<l in use.
Beautiful hand-painted vases Just
received at Valdes Drug Oe. tf
Vienna Denies That Austrians Have Been Defeated Near Carpathians—Russian
Line Along Bzura Halts Germans—Both Sides Have Lost Heavily As Result
of Daily Battles In Poland—Germans Repairing Railroads In Belgium and
Also Building 40 New Submarines Larger and Better Than Ever.
LONDON, Dec. 22.—Deep snow and
bitter cold has made the fighting in
Poland difficult for both sides. The
Siberian troops of the Russians con
tinue to assault the German positions
and seem to be able to maneuver rap
idly. The Germans have stopped all
operations and are fighting a defen
sive battle. The cold extends to Ga
licia and the Austrians have been de
layed in their military operations
against the Russian left wing operat
ing in western Galicia.
Western Battlefields Muddy.
From Belgium and northern France
the reports indicate that the melting
snow has made the battlefields very
muddy and the transportation of sup
plies are slow and military operations
are hindered.
Russians Check Germans.
The Russian line along the Bzura
river have successfully checked the
German offensive. The Russian front
extending for 50 miles from Lowicz
to the Vistula along the Bzura has
proven a barrier that the Germans
could not break.
Germans Building Submarines.
THE HAGUE, Dec. 22.—The Ger
mans are building forty more sub
marines to replace those lost and to
increase the navy. The work is be
ing rushed as fast as possible. Day
and night the workmen toil at the
job. Reports reach here that many
improvements have been made by the
German naval engineers and the new
ships are larger and have a great
er radiur of operations.
Germans Evacuate Ostend.
PARIS, Dec 22.—It is reported here
that the Germans have evacuated Os
tend. The report lacks confirmation
but it is generally believed by mili
tary men because the constant bom
bardment of the city by the British
warships and the danger of being cut
off by reason of the French gains at
Arras makes necessary the evacua
tion of tho city or the possible loss
of the entire command.
German Grip Weakening.
The German grip on northern
Prance and Belgium is weakening
each day. The slow but steady ad
vance of the Allies, the threatened
cutting off of the communication
along the Meuse and the heavy de
mand for reserves to go to the East
makes certain the evacuation of
Prance by Germany.
3,000 Sleighs Ordered.
CHICAGO, Dec. 22.—The American
sleigh has become » necessity in the
European war, it became known to
day. Orders have been placed with
a South Bend, Ind., firm by the Brit
ish and French governments for 3,000
sleighs to be used principally for the
transportation of supplies.
Germans Leave North Poland.
PETROGRAD, Dec. 22.—The Rus
sian operations at Mlawa has forced
the Germans to retire from Poland
into East Prussia. The German
troops reached the frontier railroads
and were immediately transported to
other sections of the empire.
Austrians Lose Carpathian Battle.
1 PETROGRAD, Dec. 22—The Austri
ans have received another severe
check as a result of the reverses in ■
the Carpathian mountain section,
where the Russians were drawing in
their lines in order to be in a posi
tion to aid in Poland. The Austri
ans, believing the Russians were re
treating in disorder, followeed in
force, but were suddenly met by the
Russians, who turned upon them and
inflicted tremendous losses. The Au
strians have retired into the moun
tain passes and the strategic plans
of Grand Duke Nicholas will be car
ried out without interference. Rus
sian plans for the big battle in Po
land have been completed. The Ger
mans are far from their base of sup
plies, are without the means of rap
id railroad transportation and must
fight superior Russian forces upon
equal terms.
Przemysl Short of Food.
LEMBERG, Dec. 22—Prisoners who
were taken in a sortie made by the
garrison of the Austrian fortress of
Przemysl were brought here today.
They declare that all the inhabitants
of Przemysl have deserted the city
and that it is fast becoming unin
habitable. Food stores have become
exhausted, they say, and few cattle
are left. A day’s rations for an en
tire company, according to the pris
oners, has decreased to 14 pounds
of meat, and even the canned goods
are almost gone.
Prussian Losses Are 593,200 Men.
AMSTERDAM, Dec. 22.—The Ber
lin correspondent of the Algemeen
Handelsblad says it is believed in
the German capital that the German
general staff intends to pursue the
offensive as vigorously as possible in
the eastern theatre of war, and that
when operations in Poland are suc
cessfully completed every available
man will be concentrated in the west
ern theatre.
The correspondent was informed
that up to Nov. 30 the Prussian loss
es were as follows: Killed, about 5,
000 officers and 90,000 soldiers;
wounded 1,100 officers and 380,000 sol
diers; missing, 1,100 officers and 116,
000 soldiers.
Spy Caused the Death of 500 French
men.
LONDON, Dec. 22.—How 500
French troops were betrayed by a
spy on Sunday is told in dispatches
from Dunkirk. The French soldiers
were sleeping in a church at Lamp
ernlsse. A spy in some way gained
access to the belfry and displayed
lights which notified the German ar
tillery of the presence of the troops, j
A bombardment immediately follow
ed, and, the exact range being known
to the enemy, the sleeping men, be
fore they could make their escape,
were cut to pieces by exploding shells
which also set fire to the straw on
which they had been lying.
Russians Abandon Skierniewcz.
BERLIN, Dec. 22.—The Russian
troops have abandoned Skierniewcz,
an important railroad center 10 miles
northeast of Lodz and on the main
Lodz-Warsaw road. The capture is
important as indicating the Russian
inability to hold the roads necessary
to protect Warsaw and allow the
quick movement of troops. The fall
of Skierniewcz foreshadows the evac
uation of Warsaw.
Heavy Losses In Battles.
Reports from Poland indicate that
the losses of both sides have been
very heavy. The Siberian troops have
fought with great valor and the hand
to hand fights have caused heavy
casualty lists. Many officers have
been lost.
Turks Tempt Bulgaria.
PARIS. Dec. 22.—That Austria’s lat
est effort against Servia represents
the beginning of a plan for the active
co-operation of Turkey in the Euro
pean campaign is the opinion of an
American government official who
has just returned from Constantino
ple.
He says Turkey has concentrated
over a quarter of a million well-equip
ped troops at Adrianople. ready to
take the field immediately.
Turkey hopes to persuade Bulgaria
to enter the war, or at least to per
mit the passage of a Turkish army
through Bulgaria to Servia, where it
would join the Austrians. The pass
age once secured, larger Turkish
forces—the Germans reckon that 5,
000,000 Turks are available for ser
vice—would be similarly transferred
(Continued on page 2.)
DUNSMUIR’S GIRL
RED CROSS NURSE
VANCOUVER, B. C., Dec. 22.—
Kathleen Dunsmuir, daughter of Jas.
Dunsmuir, the former lieutenant-gov
ernor of Canada, will leave here for
London on Saturday to study Red
Cross work and later she will serve
at the front. Many Canadian women
intend giving their services to the
army and will volunteer as nurses.
"S DIES
— —i. ..
SAN ANTONIO, Tex., Dec. 22.—Dr.
(J. W. Carhart, who built the first
automobile ever made, died here to
day at the age of 84. He lived to see
bis invention improved until it came
into common use.
ART TREASURES
BOTTOMOF RIVER
LONDON, Dec. 22.—There have
been many reports since the Germans
invaded Belgium regarding the
places to which the country’s price
less art treasures were taken for
safety.
According to a statement made to
day by a person who enjoyed the con
fidence of Belgian officials, a number
of masterpieces formerly in Antwerp
were sunk in the River Scheldt in
waterproof containers before the city
was taken by the Germans. This in
formant said it was rumored that Ru
ben’s “Descent From the Cross,” one
of these most celebrated master
pieces, was at the bottom of the
Scheldt.
Germans, it is asserted, were billet
ed In some of the art galleries.
i It had been believed that many fa
mous'paintings were brought to Eng
land for safekeeping.
ISSUE BONDS TO
P1TJU0EMUITY
BRUSSELS, Dec. 22.—The repre
sentatives of the nine provinces of
Belgium met here today to arrange
for the paying of the big German In
demnity to the military governor who
represents the conquerors. Ninety-six
million dollars Is still unpaid of the
indemnity levied by the Germans.
The nine provinces will issue treas
ury bonds for the $96,000,000, which
will be sold in France and England.
The efforts to raise the money among
the people stUl in Belgium has been
In vain. No money can be secured.
Many Belgians Insist that It is useless
to pay, as the towns will be destroy
ed when the Germans are forced to
retire. Other Belgians are willing to
pay the tax but have not the means,
The treasury notes will be issued
In a few days as the Germans are
pressing the communities for the
money.
WORCESTER WOMAN
L1SJJG TIME
WORCESTER, Mass., Dec. 22.—
Louisa Carpenter died here today at
the age of 108 years. She was a
daughter of the American Revolution
Society, her father having fought
through the war against England.
The Society will have charge of the
funeral services.
NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—The New
York Central and the Lake Shore
railroad have consolidated. Three
hundred million dollars are Involved
in the consolidation.
Subscribe for the Prospector.
HOBOES INVADE
NABOBS CHURCH
Demand Aid From Congregation of
Episcopal Church of St. Louis—
Will Be Given Work.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 22.—The congre
gation of the fashionable Episcopal
church of this city will endeavor to
£id the poor. Last Sunday night a
mob of hoboes and tramps entered
the church building while services
were being conducted and interrupt
ed the services to tell the preacher
and his flock that they were in need,
were cold and hungry and had no
place to sleep. The congregation im
mediately provided food and lodging
for the men and wil try to aid all
the unemployed in the city that they
can reach with the amount of money
collected by the congregation.
Work will be provided for many.
If they accept it and try to help them
selves the church will in turn aid
them, but should they refuse to work
no food or aid will be given. The
recent cold snap has added greatly
to the suffering of the poor.
HAWAII BOAT
NR ALASKA
The lighthouse tender Kukui is to
be transferred to Alaskan waters,
says a Hawaiian paper brought to this
office by Tom Quinn, who engineer
ed a resolution in the islands years
ago which resulted in the United
States taking the Islands. The Col
umbine, a much smaller and slower
vessel than the Kukui, is ordered to
Hawaii. This transfer does not meet
with local favor, owing to the fact
that the Kukui was specially built for
Hawaiian service, being given a Ha
waiian name with the idea that Hon-.
olulu was to be her home port. Capt.
F. T. Warriner, of the Kukui, is un
der orders to sail Dec. 18 for Ketch
ikan, Alaska. Not only to the com
mercial but also to the military and
naval plans of Oahu is the transfer
of the Kukui a serious loss, a fact
not generally known being that the
Kukui is equipped for the laying and
removing of submarine mines.
MORMON LEADER
FORMS SYNDICATE
SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 22.—Jos
eph Smith, president of the Mormon
church, has consolidated a number of
beet sugar plants and is at the head
of the new $6,000,000 combination to
manufacture sugar from beets. The
consolidation brings together the en
tire beet Industry of this section and
it is expected to extend the oper
ations of the syndicate westward.
Deputy Marshal Albert Dowling is
expected tonight on the Alameda with
a native charged with murder at
Knit i ;>