V0|_ 13 VALDEZ, ALA8KA, FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1915. NO. 59.
THAW FEARED FOR
HIS OWN SANITY
^Testifies That He Believed He Would
Become Insane If Longer Kept
In the Asylum.
NEW YORK, March 12.—Harry K.
Thaw testified in his own behalf yes
terday as to h!s escape from the Mat
teawan asylum through the bribery of
the guards. The prisoner gave his
testimony in a clear and concise man
ner and created a favorable impres
sion in his favor among the court
officials.
Thaw declared that he was sane
when he made his escape from the
asylum and knew of the risks that
he was taking but that he had decid
ed that to remain confined to the asy
lum would mean that he would ul
timately become insane. It is expect
ed that Evelyn Thaw, his former wife,
will take the stand this afternoon to
offer testimony in his behalf.
BRITISH AFTER
CARRANZA NOW
Demand Explanation of Detention of
the British Bark In Harbor
At Campeche.
WASHINGTON, March 12.—Infor
mation was received here from Vera
Cruz last night to the effect that the
British government had demanded
from President Carranza an expla
nation of the seizure and detention
of a British bark in Campeche harbor.
The bark was loaded with a cargo
of grain from Argentine for Liverpool
and put into Campeche to make re
pairs of damages suffered during a
severe storm. The Mexican custom’s
officers seized the ship and have re
fused to give her clearan'ee papers
and have offered no explanation to
the captain of the bark as to the rea
son for the delay. It is believed that
Carranza’s agents suspected that the
British boat was landing war muni
tions intended for use against Car
ranza.
RITCHIE EASILY
OUTPOINTS WELSH
NEW YORK, March 12—The big
crowd of fight fans attending the
contest last night were disappointed
at the poor showing made by Fred
die Welsh against Willie Ritchie.
The first few rounds were very fast
but Welsh was evidently not in condi
tion and was outpointed In nearly
every round Ritchie is now regarded
as having recovered the championship
lost to Welsh in London last fall.
TEXAS FARMERS
ARE PROSPEROUS
SAN ANTONIO, Tex., March 12.—
Prosperous conditions in the stock
raising business were reported today
at the opening of the Texas State
Cattle Raisers’ annual convention.
The diverting of much cotton acreage
to the livestock industry was a fea
ture of the statistics showing a con
siderable increase in the number of
beef cattle and hogs on Texas farms
and ranches. Experts advocated the
wider use of silos for feeding pur
poses.
MANY MEMBERS MISSING
FROM BRITI8H PARLIAMENT
LONDON.—Parliament is now com
posed of more elderly men than at
DESPERATE STRUGGLE WAGED IN NORTH POUND
LONDON, March 12.—The battle
which Is being waged near Prsasnysz
is reported from Petrograd to be
swaying back again toward the East
Prussian frontier. The battle is be
ing fought on the same grounds as
on February 25 and 26, when the
Germans captured Przasnysz and
were again forced to evacuate the
town after having lost thirty officers
hnd twenty-six hundred men captur
ed. Seven cannon, eleven machine
guns and a huge quantity of supplies
were also captured by the Russians.
Bombs Dropped Into Ossowetz.
PETROGRAD, March 12.—German
aviators passed over Ossowetz last
night and dropped a number of bombs
into the city. No damage was done
as the bombs fell in the residence
section but failed to destroy any of
the houses.
Submarines Attack Liner.
LONDON, March 12.—A German
submarine unsuccessfully pursued a
big steamer from off the coast of
Lapland to the entrance of Mersey
channel. The captain of the liner is
confident that it was the same sub
marine which made several attacks
upon his ship. Naval authorities are
inclined to doubt that the German
submarines are equipped to cover
such a wide radius and believe that
the liner was attacked by several
submarines at different times.
Many Submarines Lost.
LONDON, March 12.—Information
has been received here by the Brit
any session in living memory. About
200 members of the Commons are
with the forces either in the kingdom
or abroad, and nearly 150 peer keep
them company. These 350 of the em
pire’s lawmakers are naturally able
bodied men, and most of them can be
counted as young. The older members
have done their part in giving their
sons Premier Asquith has three
sons serving. Lloyd George and Bon
ar Law are among others who have
made the same sacrifices. A. Ains
worth and Sir F. Banbury have both
lost sons in action. Several M. P.’s
have been killed.
BELIEVE~GERMANY
MAKE REPARATION
Commander of Eitel Agrees To Make
Statement In Writing As To Rea
son for Sinking Ship.
WASHINGTON, March 12.—It is be
lieved in diplomatic circles that the
German government will admit that
the sinking of the American bark
Frye by the German cruiser Eitel
Fredrlch was unjustifiable and will
make reparation to the owners for
their vessel and to the British own
ers of the cargo.
No official communication has been
received from England regarding the
loss of the Frye’s cargo and it is be
lieved that the British government is
awaiting the outcome of the investi
gation ordered by President Wilson.
The officers and crew of the Frye are
being detained in order to offer their
testimony before the commission.
Submit Reasons for Sinking.
NEWPORT NEWS, March 12—Act
ing under the advice of the German
ambassador the captain of the Ger
man cruiser Eltel Eredrich has re
fused to make any statement regard
ing the sinking of the American bark
Frye in the south Atlantic. Captain
Boy-Ed, naval attache of the German
embassy, acting for Count Bernstorff,
who is in New York, has notified Sec
retary Bryan that the commander of
the Eitel will submit in writing his
reasons for the sinking of the Ameri
can bark Frye. The officials of the
German embassy refuse to comment
on the sinking of the bark.
Several recent arrivals left this
morning over the government wagon
road for the interior.
PETROGRAD REPORTS INDICATE THAT GERMANS HAVE BEEN UN
ABLE TO PIERCE RUSSIAN CENTER AND ARE FALLING BACK
LINER ESCAPES FROM GERMAN SUBMARINE AND MANY SUB
MARINES HAVE FAILED TO REPORT, AT BASE OF SUPPLIES—
TURKISH WAR OFFICE CLAIMS MANY WARSHIPS OF FLEET
HAVE BEEN DAMAGED—ALLI ES BEGIN OFFENSIVE ON WEST
ERN FRONTIER TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON RUSSIAN FORCES
IN NORTH POLAND. ^
ish admiralty from Holland stating
that eight German submarines have
failed to return to their base of sup
plies at Cuxhaven. The U-9 and U-20
have been scratched from the list in
dicating that they are considered by
the German admiralty as having been
lost.
Turkish Aim Improving.
PARIS, March 12.—Reports from
the Allied fleet bombarding the Dar
danelle forts states that there has
been a noticeable improvement in
the aim of the gunners of the forts.
It is believed that Germans are now
manning the guns.
Turks Report Warships Damaged.
CONSTANTINOPLE, March 12.—
The headquarters of the Turkish
army in Constantinople has announ
ced that the bombardment of the
Dardanelle forts Is slackening, as the
AMERICAN REPORTED KILLED
RY ZAPATA RAND MEXICO CITY
BANDITS IGNORED AMERICAN FLAG AND MURDERED FORMER CHI
CAGO MAN IN HOME IN MEXICO CITY-STATE DEPART
MENT INVESTIGATING—IF TRUE WILL MEAN WAR.
WASHINGTON, March 12.—Presi
dent Wilson has sent another note
to President Carranza, of Mexico,
warning him that the United States
will hold him personally responsible
for any violence offered American
citizens in Mexico City. Carranza is
informed that America regards Ohre
gon as his agent and acting under
his orders.
President Wilson has also required
Carranza to keep the railroad between
Mexico City and Vera Cruz open at
all times in order that foreigners may
be able to proceed to the coast from
the interior should their lives be
threatened.
WASHINGTON, March 12.—News
paper dispatches have been received
here from Mexico City stating that
John McManus, a former resident of
Chicago, but living in Mexico for a
number of years, had been killed in
his home in Mexico City. McManus
is said to have resisted the looting
of his residence by the soldiers of
General Zapata, who entered the city
when it was evacuated by General Ob
regon last Wednesday night.
The correspondent states that Mc
Manus had the American flag flying
over his home but that the looting
.Zapata bandits paid no attention to
the flag and attempted to force an
entrance into the house. The resi
dences of many other foreigners were
raided but McManus is reported as
being the only known victim.
The reports received by the State
Department from Vera Cruz indicat
ed an improved condition of affairs
in Mexico and the announcement that
General Zapata Is in control of the
city is puzzling the officials of the
State Department.
It is understood that the State De
partment has started an investigation
of the reported killing of an Ameri
can in Mexico City, and should the re
port be found to be correct that
troops will be landed at Vera Cruz
and sent to the capital at once in
order to protect foreigners from the
ravages of Zapata’s band of outlaws.
REPORT OF COMMISSION MAY
NOT OE GIVEN TO THE PORUC
ANNOUNCED THAT PRESIDENT WILSON MAY KEEP IT SECRET UN
TIL PRESENTED TO CONGRESS NEXT DECEMBER—WOULD NOT
DELAY PI^CHASE OR CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD.
WASHINGTON, March 12.—Secre
tary Lane stated today that there was
a possibility that President Wilson
would not make public the report of
the Alaska engineering commission
until it had been transmitted to con
gress next session.
George Rublee, who has been coun
sel for the commission, and while act
ing in that capacity searched the ti
tles of the Alaska Northern railroad
for the commission, has resigned to
become a member of the Industrial
trade committee.
The above dispatch was received
this morning by the Prospector and
may be interpreted by readers to suit
their fancy. It does not necessarily
follow that the railroad construction
work will be delayed should Presi
dent Wilson decide to keep the re
port of the engineering commlsson
secret until It had been submitted to
congress. Congress has empowered
the president to construct or pur
chase railroads in Alaska to the ex
tent of 135,0000,000. True, only $2,
000,000 has been appropriated and
therefore available for immediate use.
The congress just closed voted the $2,
000,000 appropriation without know
ing what President Wilson was going
to do with the money. The next con
gress might not be so considerate.
Secretary Lane's reported request
for information from Attorney Gen
eral Gregory regarding the expendi
ture of a larger sum for the Alaska
railroad than appropriated by con
gress, may be considered as emanat
ing from the fertile brain of some
correspondent. Precedents are too
well established for Secretary Lane
to require information on that point.
It Is possible that President Wilson
may purposely delay the government's
plans for the Alaska railroad until
late this spring owing to the tremen
guns of the forts have damaged a
number of warships. At the conclu
sion of the bombardment last Monday
the fleet retired to the Island of Ten
edos. One large British warship and
several cruisers were reported to have
sustained damage by the fire from
the forts.
Allie# To Begin Western Offensive.
LONDON, March 12.—It is believed
the advance of the British army yes
terday in the LaBrassee district is
the beginning of an offensive move
ment along the entire western line to
relieve the pressure of the Germans
against the Russians in North Poland.
Fresh troops are being sent to the
front to relieve those who have borne
the heaviest of the fighting for the
past two months.
Hindenburg Starts New Movement.
PETROGRAD, March 12—Unable
to pierce the Russian defenses of
Prszasnysz General Hindenburg has
started a new flanking movement and
is sending his men to the northeast.
The meaning of the movement will
be discovered later as it is in con
tradiction to Hindenburg’s usually
well deliberated moves.
Russian Advance Near Rawa
BERLIN, March 12.—Military crit
ics express the belief that the Rus
sians are mobilizing a new force in
the district of Rawa, southeast of
Warsaw with the evident intention of
forcing the Germans back along the
west bank of the Vistula river.
dous rush of workmen which will fol
low to the north in the hope of secur
ing employment. On the other hand,
he may announce at any time that a
road will be constructed from Ship
Creek to the Matanuska coal fields.
His recent inquiry as to the location
of the coal fields which could be op
ened to best advantage might indicate
that it was planned to build from
Chitina to the Matanuska coal fields
or from Controller bay to the Bering
f River coal fields, and continue the
work of surveying the route for the
trunk line from tidewater to interior
'during the summer.
MINNESOTA WILL
RECLAIM SWAMPS
Will Add One Million Acre* To Till
able Area By Expenditure of
One Million Dollar*.
BEMIDJI, Minn., March 12.—One
million dollars will be spent in Bel
trami and adjoining counties by the
state of Minnesota this spring to re
claim 1,000,000 acres of land, which
if free of water, would be among the
most fertile. State land experts es
timate that the value of the reclaimed
land during 1915 will be $6,000,000, but
that before the end of ten years will
be $100,000,000. This estimate by the
state experts is based upon statistics
of other land value increased in Min
nesota.
The majority of this land to be re
claimed is in the northern part, or ad
joining the northern part of Beltrami
county, which in itself is 156 miles
long. Some of the strip to be re
claimed extends over to St. Louis
county, which is larger than the com
bined area of Connecticut and Rhode
Island.
The scheme for reclamation of this
land, at present a continuous swamp
of several hundred miles breadth, in
cludes the division of the vast ex
panse into sections, each section to
be divided by roads, at the side of
which is a deep drainage ditch. These
ditches at every four sections meet
and the object is to get the flow
into Red lake, the second largest in
land lake, entirely within the tTnited
States, in the nation.
The machinery for the Granite prop
erty at Hobo bay has been landed and
will be installed at once.
MRS. ROCKEFELLER
REPORTED DEM
' •?
}
Life Partner of Oil King, Who Ma
ried Him In 1864, Dies At Their
Summer Home.
—
NEW YORK, March 12.—A repo,
is in circulation here that Mrs. Jot
D. Rockefeller is dead at their cou
try home. She is known to have bet
ill for some time and has been undt
the constant care of physicians. H«
husband is at present in Florida, h
physicians having urged his departui
to a more temperate climate durii
the recent cold spell.
Before her marriage Mrs. Rockefi
ler was Miss Laura C. Spelman, at
was married to the oil king in Se
tember, 1864, when he was junii
member of the shipping firm of Clat
& Rockefeller, conducting a smt
commission house. She was 76 yea
of age.
forceTroads to
SELL INTEREST;
Southern Pacific Official Mak
Charges Against Wickersham and
Interstate Commission.
NEW YORK. March 12—Juli 3
Kruttschnitt, former general manag
and vice-president of all lines of ti*
Southern Pacific, testified today
the suit brought by the federal gc i
ernment to compel the Southern ai
Central Pacific railroads to unmer
their interests.
Kruttschnitt declared that form
United States Attorney General Wit
ersham had forced the Southern 1
cific to sell the Central Pacific ra •
road to the Union Pacific und'
threats of prosecution on technic ,
charges. The transfer of the Centi
Pacific had greatly injured the eai
ing capacity of the Southern Paci •
lines and had caused a tremendo *
loss of revenue to that road. He *
dared that the Interests of the Ci
tral Pacific were being sacrificed
build up the Union Pacific.
The railroad official also seven
scored the Interstate Commerce Co
mission and charged favoritism,
is believed that the members of t/*
commission will demand an inves
gatlon of the charges as they are v
such a nature as to discredit t.
commission in the eye^of the pub!
ARMLESS MAN IS
A
—
SAGINAW, Mich., March 12.-}
lively scrap for the office of just’
of the peace, with an armelss m
and one with a leg missing, as 1
candidates, has developed here to ■
liven the spring election. j
Justice Arthur Clemens, who 1>|
both his arms in a mine accident s|
eral years ago, is seeking re-electi
His opponent is George Sonsmith, w
has but one leg, the other havl
been severed at the hip in a railrt
wreck.
CITY HALL TO HAVE
WOMAN’S FLOl
.*‘V
■
HOUSTON, Tex., March 12.—< * v
whole floor to be devoted to the w< * ■
Ing girls of the city for lunchc
bathrooms and gymnasium, was i
gested by Mayor Campbell in p:;
plans for Houston’s new six-story i ,
hall. *>Vi
ip
* '«4