The Hunters’ Paradise—The Homesteaders’ Land of Promise
t JL The Gateway
The CateW3y to the
t0 th® 1 IP Ilk H If ! I Kenai, Knik, Broad Pass
Great Coal Fields of W Gold Fields
Matanuska i_
PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY LARGEST ALASKAN CIRCULATION
Vo) “ No , »: - SEWARD, THE GATEWAY TO ALASKA, THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1915. _ft>n ( <M>t* >Im' (
OOVERNM NT WILL BUY ONE THE RAILROADS
OENERAL OnNION IN WASHINGTON IS 111*1 ALASKA NOHIMHN IS HIE HE
NEW BANK WILL
OPEN IN APRIL!
SEARS SAYS IT WILL BE IN
OPERATION MIDDLE OF
NEXT MONTH.
WASHINGTON, March 11.—J. H.
Sears, one of the incorporators of the
Harriman National Bank at Seward,
announced today that the new bank j
will be in operation by the middle of
next month. He says that the people
who will start the bank in operation
are now on the way between Seattle
and Seward and will arrive there in
less than a week. All the preliminary
arrangements have been made and
th© charter granted. The announce
ment strengthens the already strong
belief that the incorporators have j
some reason for believing that the:
government will purchase the Alaska !
Northern railroad and that Seward j
will be the terminal of the govern
ment railroad. An error has been
made, however, in saying that it was
Mrs. J. Borden Harriman who had
the building of the Seward Memorial \
library at Seward in contemplation, j
The name that should have been used
in this respect is Mrs. E. H. Harriman.
The decision to build the library has
not been finally arrived at but Mrs.
Harriman is, to use a diplomatic j
phrase, “deeply interested" in the pro-1
ject.
SECRETARY McADOO WILL
BE OPERATED UPON TODAY.
WASHINGTON, March 11.—Secre
tary McAdoo of the treasury depart
ment will be operated on today for ap
pendicitis. His wife, the daughter of
President Wilson, has returned to the
city to be here when the operation
is performed.
STRIKERS FILE SUITS
FOR ATTACKS BY GUARDS.
ROOSEVELT, N. Y., March 11.—
Twelve strikers filed suit today again
st the American Agricultural Chemi
cal Company for damages. The cases
arise from the firing by the guards
of the company’s works on the strik
ers on January 19. The total amount
of the damages asked is twelve thou
sand dollars.
GOULDS LOSE CONTROL
OF MISSOURI PACIFIC.
ST. LOUIS, March 10.—The Goulds
lost control of the Missouri Pacific
railroad today by clever manipulation
on the part of their opponents among
st the stockholders. The annual elec
tion took place today and when the
sraoke had passed away it was found
that Kuhn, Ix>eb and Company were
the new controlling factors. It is
said that the Gould representatives
themselves were the most astonished
of all the people interested.
FINED TEN DOLLARS FOR
STRIKING JOHN LESHER.
John Lesher succeeded in securing
a warrant for the arrest of Harry
Mark well today on the charge of as
saulting the complainant and the de
fendant was mulcted in a fine of ten
dollars. The trouble is said to have
arisen from the report that the com
plainant had sent word to the inter
ior department that some people were
taking wood from the government
lands here.
Tickets for the Concert and Dance
next Saturday eve. are now on sale at
Butt’s store. An enjoyable time is
Insured those attending.
SECT. LANE ANNOUNCES THAT THE
NEGOTIATIONS STILL PROCEED
Believed Government Made An Offer for This Road, But That Offer
Was Too Small To Satisfy the Owners. i
—--- \
Attorney General Asked to Give Opin
ion as to Whether Administration
Can Take Enough Money From
Treasury to Buy Railroad Without
Asking Congress—President and
Lane in Conference.
WASHINGTON, March 11.—Secretary Lane an
nounced today that negotiations are now actually under
way for the purchase of either the Alaska Northern rail
road or the Copper River and Northwestern railroad.
This was suited positively by the secretary himself and
finally puts an end to the reports sent out to the eflect
that the negotiations for the purchase of the Alaska
Northern railroad had been suspended. Coming after
the statement attributed to the attorney for the Alaska
Northern bondholders and the further statement that
Secretary Lane was too much taken up with questions
arising in connection with western oil lands to pay atten
tion to Alaska railroad matters the statement of Mr. Lane
today is regarded as most pleasant by the Alaskans here
and as clearing away the doubts that have recently arisen.
It is furthermore a fact that immediately preceding the
issuance of the statement by the secretary he and Presi
dent Wilson held a conference on matters connected with
the coming government railroad and at that conference
it was probably decided to make the announcement here
referred to. Another most important utterance of Mr.
Lane today was that only one of the railroads in question
will be purchased. Following the announcement Mr.
Lane went on to say that the question as to whether the
road would trend to the eastward or westward norm oi
Prince William Sound will hinge on the decision as to what
part of the coal fields is best and which should first be
developed. It will also, he says, depend, at least to some
extent, on the estimate of the cost of construction, main
tenance and operation. There is still much doubt here
as to which of the northern railroads will be purchased.
Neither the secretary nor the president has given any in
timation that could lead to a clue and, indeed, they seem
to be particularly careful about giving expression to any
words that might lead people astray. However, the con
scensus of opinion is apparently overwhelmingly inclined
to the likelihood of the purchase of the Alaska Northern.
It is stated that a certain sum was offered for the Alaska
Northern and that the smallness of this offer is regarded
as the cause of the interview in the New York paper by
Attorney Boland. Several amounts have been mentioned
but they are so small that they are not credited unless it
might be that the offers were tentatives ones intended to
form a basis for future negotiations and to let the owners
of the railroad understand that the government is very
far from being inclined to give them what they ask. The
very statement that the negotiations are still proceeding
is taken as sufficient proof that there is still room for an
agreement. It is pointed out by some of those interested
that if any offer had been made at all for the Alaskan
Northern it would be sufficient indication of the belief
of the administration that the Alaska Northern would be
the most acceptable route. It is pretty generally well
known that President Wilson is opposed to the purchase
of the Cordova line as the purchase of it might very well
serve as grounds for political attacks and might interfere
disastrously with the securing of future appropriations.
It has been noted also that the people in control of the
Alaska Northern have made veiled threats to operate
their line in opposition to the government line, to the
Matanuska coal fields but this may be for obvious pur
poses. _ ..
The engineering commission, at President Wilson s
j direct request, is now preparing more figures and this
supplement to their report will have to be ready before
the final decision can be arrived at. It will, however,
means only a few days. Another important fact is that
Secretary Lane has asked the attorney general to inform
him if the authority exists to spend more than the amount
appropriated in order to buy one of the existing railroads.
The answer has not yet been given and the attorney gen
eral is probably looking up the matter. Legal opinion, or
a-:-———-—'
PEOPLE HERE NOW BUY
MINE AND FORM COMPANY.
Leave Tomorrow for Property and
Will Take in Large Outfit
for Operating.
Kelly and Leslie have bought out
the interests of Price and Weaver in
the gold mining property located at
the head of the Yentna river and have
organized a new company which is
known as the Kelly, Price and Leslie
Gold Mining Company. The new
owners bought a fine team of seven
dogs yesterday here and will leave to
morrow with a large outfit to begin
work. The property \vill be operated j
in an extensive and expert manner
and important results are assured.
The property is located in the gold
belt along the Alaska range.
WATSON IN SEATTLE.
SEATTLE, March 11.—The Watson
arrived here last night.
EVANS LEAVES CORDOVA.
HARRY THAW TAKES
• THE WITNESS STAND.
Effort Being Made to Introduce Testi
mony as to Defendant’s
Sanity.
______ «>
NEW YORK, March 11.—Harry K.
Thaw took the stand this afternoon in
the case in which he is a defendant
on the charge of conspiracy. His
testimony is expected to deal with the
questions as to his sanity at the time
of his escape from Matteawan asylum.
At the time of writing a discussion is
taking place as to the admissibility
of his evidence.
RITCHIE AND WELSH FIGHT
TEN ROUNDS IN NEW YORK.
NEW YORK, March 11.—Ritchie
and Welsh will fight ten rounds to
night here. Th© bout will be a“no
decision” one.
REJECT WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE.
LINCOLN, Nebraska, March 11.—
The bill granting woman suffrage in
The Evans left Cordova at 10 a. m. municipal elections in this state has
| t0(|ay ! been rejected by the legislature.
CARRANZA SAYS ORIENTAL WAR
U. S. IS RIGHT ON AT ’FRISCO
| ^ _ . _ ..._
| ;
HE BELIEVES FOREIGNERS JAPANESE COMPELLED TO ASK
SHOULD LEAVE THE CAPI* FOR POLICE AID AGAIN
TAL OF MEXICO. ST CHINESE.
WASHINGTON, March 11.—In his
answer to President Wilson’s protest
General Carranza says that the United
States government is right in advising
American citizens and other foreign
ers to leave Mexico City. He also ex
presses the belief that they should
depart as the unsettled conditions
may give rise to serious complica
tions. He further declares that he
will provide every facility for those
who decide to leave the city and that
he will safeguard the interests of
Americans to the fullest and most
satisfactory extent. He denies in toto
the charges made against Obregon
who, he says, has conducted matters
with a full regard for the rights of
the citizens of all countries in Mexico.
-_
WANTS WOMAN’S EIGHT
HOUR LAW IN OHIO.
SPRINGFIELD, March 11.—Medill
McCormack has intorduced a bill pro
viding for an eight hour law for wo
men all over the state and In all sorts
of employment. The bill is being
strongly opposed by some of the large
store keepers and factory owners but
it is likely to pass.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 10.—The
condition of affairs between the Chin
ese and Japanese has become so ser
ious here that the Japanese today
made a formal application to the po
lice for protection. The diffictilty
comes from the boycott of the Japan
ese by the Chinese Six Companies.
The Chinese Six Companies is the title
of the Chinese- chief commercial
organization. Owing to the demands
made by Japan on China the feeling
in China and amongst Chinese people
everywhere has become very bitter
and the Chinese have decided not to
purchase goods or have any business
dealings whatever with the Japanese
people in this country. The feeling
amongst the Chinese seems to be that
Japan has taken advantage of the war
between the world powers to coerce
the Chinese government and seize
Chinese territory and privileges of
other kinds. The application of the
Japanese for special police protection
here will probably be granted as the
authorities are inclined to agree that
serious work may result from the bit
terness of the relations between the
two peoples.
some of it, seems to think that as congress provided for
the building of the railroad and fixed the figure the money
can be made available without further congressional ac
tion. However, there is a marked divergence of opinion
on this phase of the subject. No final decision is expected
for some days at the very least. It is pointed out that the
purchase of a railroad is no trivial matter and the mem
bers of the administration see the necessity for exercising
the greatest prudence to avoid future trouble and mis
understandng.
GERMAN SHIP SINKS
AN AMERICAN BARK
Cruiser Sends Vessel From Se
attle to Bottom in
Atlantic.
GERMANS SINK SEATTLE SHIP
NEWPORT NEWS, W. Va., March 10.—The German
auxiliary cruiser Prince Eitel Frederich arrived today
with the crew of the American bark Frye which was sunk
by the Prince Eitel Frederich in South American waters
on January twenty-seventh. The Frye was laden with
wheat which she had taken on at Seattle for Liverpool.
The German auxiliary cruiser may be interned here. She
has asked for permission and time to make necessary re
pairs but the repairs are such that she would likely have
to take quite a time to finish them and this would undoubt
edly be utilized by hostile warships to prevent hoi from
getting away.
SINKING OF FRYE IS MYSTERY
WASHINGTON, March 10.—The officials in the State
department are mystified by the story that the American
shij) Frye was sunk by the German auxiliary cruiser
Prince Eitel Frederich. They cannot account for the oc
currence as the cargo of the Frye was non contraband.
Some of them go so far as to declare that the sinking of
the bark was entirely unwarranted but the account of the
occurrence by the commander of the cruiser is awaited
to throw some light on the subject. The feeling seems to
be intensified by the publication of the fact that tne news
papers of Germany have printed editorials virtually defy
ing the United States and stating that the Americans
could do nothing to Germany anyhow. Until an explana
tion has been made it is difficult apparently to get anyone
here to believe anything but that the sinking of the Frye
was meant as an answer to the veiled threat made by the
United States government to Germany when the block
ading of the northern European coast was objected to.
It is possible, however, that the explanation of the Ger
man commander may arrive tomorrow, Thursday, and
may be satisfactory.
CAPTAIN OF FRYE TALKS
WASHINGTON, March 11.—Captain Kiehne of the
bark Frye gave out a statement today regarding the sink
ing of his ship by the Prince Eitel Frederich. The Ger
man commander of the cruiser ordered him to unload his
wheat but the German did not have time to wait while the
unloading process was going on so the sailors were order
ed from the Frye and the vessel was sunk. The Frye’s
captain declares that the Eitel Frederich has recently
sunk several vessels. She sank three on the kaiser’s
birthday. Since the sinking of the Frye the cruiser sank
several others and the crew of the lost bark were witness
to the destruction of the vessels. Amongst the ships
sunk since the sinking of the Frye were three English,
three Frnech and two Russian vessels.
WHAT WILL STATE DEPT. DO
WASHINGTON, March 11.—The state department
is now considering what action to take in connection with
the sinking of the American ship Frye. It is considered
to have been a breach of international law and if such is
the case Germany will probably be brought to an account
in some way or another. It is assumed that the command
er of the German cruiser acted on instructions f rom Ber
lin as ?t is hardly conceivable that a captain of a warship
would take upon himself the responsibility for an act
which might have momentous consequences. The matter
is regarded as most serious. It it developes that Germany
has decided to destroy all food cargoes for great Britain
no matter whence they come a new complexion will be
given ntirely to the whole relations to exist between pow
ers in future. In the meantime it is expected that the
Prince Eitel Frederich will be interned during the course
of the war as her repairs would take some time before
she would be fit to take to the sea and in that period hostile
criusers could be brought to the waters where she would
try to get out and her destruction would be certain. The
commander of the cruiser had not given out any state
ment this morning but some word may be received from
him today. "