-—-—r THE WEATHER
The Great Feb-26: Max*39, Min*32—4 p*m*38
Calm—Cloudy.
A | A^K A M Feb. 27: Max. 41, Min. 33—4 p. m. 36
Liffht N. Wind—Clear.
DAILY -
____ LARGEST ALASKAN CIRCULATION
ADVERTISEMENTS BRING RESULTS
■ - - ~ — -* Ten Cents the Copy
Vo) No <„ Seward, Alaska, Monday, February 28, 1916. ---—
LATEST FROM GREAT BATTLE
FOR POSSESSION OF VERDIN
GERMANS START OFFENSIVE
PARIS, Feb. 25.—The expected offensive of the Ger-|
mans on the western front has begun and one of the most
sanguinary battles ot the war is now proceeding aiound
the fortified city of Verdun. This city is on the river
Meuse in northeastern France, not far from the German,
border. In the German invasion at the beginning of the
war this fortification stopped the enemy but they sue-;
ceeded in advancing beyond it on two sides so that ever
since they have had a semicircle drawn around it. The
cause of the present offensive evidently is to take Verdun
which is regarded as the chief blockading point of the
defense of Paris. It is admitted by the war office that the
enemy has taken two miles of our entrenched positions
and have advanced closer to the city’s immediate forti
fications. The semi-circular battle line extends for twen
ty-five miles with our forces fighting from the inner side.
The official communications are to the effect that the
struggle is sanguinary. The positions lost to us were sub
jected to a terrific bombardment which smashed every
thing in the country for miles around. Then came tre
mendous charges by infantry when the trenches of the
French had been made untenable by the artillery and it
is fully admitted that the Germans now occupy positions
evacuated by our troops.
KAISER NEAR BATTLE
PARIS, Feb. 25.—The kaiser has arrived at the scene
of the great struggle around Verdun and is said to be per
sonally directing the movement of the troops in conjunc
tion with his generals. It has been guessed for some days
that a great offensive would be launched by the enemy and
it is now clear that his attacks on the western end of the
line was meant to draw allied forces from Verdun and its
neighborhood, the chief object of the German attack.
During all the night last night the Germans kept up an in
cessant artillery fire. They used bombs which exploded
near the ground and illuminated our trenches to direct
their artillery fire. These bombs are of a new kind and
shed a brilliant light on exploding.
FRENCH REINFORCE
LONDON. Feb. 2G.—A semi-official statement was
issued today to the effect that the French are now rushing
trainloads of troops westward to reinforce the army
struggling to save Verdun, and the belief is expressed
that the German offensive will be staved before the city
weakens.
LULL TAKES PLACE
PARIS. Feb. 2G.—Last night showed a lull in the Ger
man attack on Verdun for the Ill'st time in four days, but
it is regarded as certain that the offensive will be con
tinued and that the enemy is now preparing for a more
terrific attack than ever. The military leaders expect the
attack to last for two weeks.
GERMAN Y CLAIMS SUCCESS
BERLIN. Feb. 2G.—The war office has posted a short
bulletin announcing the beginning of a great offensive
movement against Verdun with the purpose of capturing
that city and so opening the way for another advance on
Paris. The attack so far is declared to be thoroughly
successful and it is announced that our troops have cap
tured several important French positions and are within a
few miles of the citv.
V
PEOPLE LEAVE VERDUN
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 25.—The best veteran German
troops are engaged in the attack on Verdun and the com
mander is said to be the crown prince. It is also stated
that the Germans have succeeded in gaining a position
which gives them command of the chief defenses of the
city and that the citizens are leaving Verdun in the fear
that the bombardment will begin soon. Ten thousand
French troops are reported captured when the villages of
Beaufort and Chambettes were occupied by the Teutons.
FAREWELL MESSAGE
LONDON, Feb. 25.—The farewell message of a Ger
man commander of the Zeppelin that sank in the North
Sea some days ago has been found in a bottle. It was a
message to the wife and family when the commander
found that his doom was sealed.
BRITISH SHIP SUNK
LONDON, Feb. 25.—The British steamer Dinlo has
been torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean.
SINK TURKS IN BOSPHORUS
LONDON, Feb. 25.—Allied submarines are reported
to have entered the Bosphorus and sunk several Turkish
ships in sight of Constantinople which is said to be in a
panic as a result.
(Note:—The following special cable
to the Gateway arrived yesterday,
Sunday, at Valdez and is the very
latest to be received here.)
PARIS, Feb. 27.—via Valdez.—
The German attack has reached with
in five miles of the city of Verdun and
the French government admits con
tinued gains on the part of the
enemy. The temporary lull in the
fighting has given away to a more
terrific assault then ever. The Ger
mans have brought up immense re
inforcements and are pressing with
tremendous energy.
(LONDON ANXIOUS)
LONDON, via Valdez, Feb. 27.—
London is anxiously awaiting the re
sult of the great German drive on
Verdun. It is feared that if Verdun
is lost the French will not have time
to fortify positions at the rear and
that the Teutons may be able to break
the allied lines, so compelling a gen
eral retreat along the whole line to
cover the flanks. The struggle is rag
ing with renewed force, according to
the latest dispatches.
(RIOTS IN BERLIN)
AMSTERDAM, via Valdez, Feb.
27.—The cit> of Berlin is now in the
throes of fieice and bloody rioting as
the result of the rise in the price of
food. It is *eported that a hundred
have been killed in attacks by the
cavalry.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. —Am
bassador Page has been instructed to
inquire of the British foreign oiTice
regarding the removal of 38 Germans
from American steamers in Asiatic
waters. This government demands
their release at once.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.—The or
ganization of Trainmen has protested
to President Wilson against the use
of soldiers in the engine and train
service on the government railroad at
Panama.
PORTLAND, Maine, Feb. 27.—
A snow storm has obstructed the
range marks and has forced the sus
pension o fthe gun test on the great
warship Pennsylvania.
LONDON, Feb. 27.—Survivors of
the ships which have recently been
sunk by the German raiders declare
that the chief raider carriers seven
inch guns and has a crew of three
hundred.
CHICAGO, Feb. 27.—An oflicer and
an apprentice seaman were drowned
last evening at the naval training sta
tion here.
EIGHT POSTOFFICES
IN ALASKA BE BANKS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.—Eight
postofflces in Alaska have been desig
nated as postal savings depositories
by the postmaster general, namely at
Fairbanks, Juneau, Douglas, Tread
well, Skagway, Wrangell, Ketchikan
and Petersburg. It is expected that
other towns will be designated as
postal depositories later.
TRAIN ARRIVED
The train arrived Saturday night
bringing mail. Derick Lane was a
passenger on her.
NOTHING CAME
ON R. R. MONEY
SUPPOSE WE SHALL GET FIRST\
NEWS FROM WEARS
AT ANCHORAGE.
Nothing positive arrived today
about the signing of the emergency
appropriation bill by the president
but it is assumed that the bill has
been signed, as stated, and that the
fact is not believed worthy of men
tion by the correspondents as the
money had been made sure. 'Hie rep
resentatives of the Commission heard
nothing this morning but it is likely
that the notification that the money is
available would go first to Commis
sioner Mears. The Valdez Prospector'
writes to the Gateway, the letter be
ing dated Feb. 24, that it had heard
nothing about the matter up to that
time.
FILES ANSWER IN THE
BADE- MANTELI. CASE
In the case of Mantell vs. Bade, L.
L. James, Jr., filed last Saturday an
answer to the complaint of the plain
tiff, denying the allegation of a co
partnership and setting up the entire
ownership in Mr. Bade personally.
CABLESHIP IS COMING NORTH
Direct Communication Between Val
dez and Seattle will Soon Be
Restored—Seward Isolated.
SEATTLE, Feb. 23.—The govern
ment cableship Burnside sailed for
Alaska last night to repair the breaks
in the cable which have interrupted
direct service during the past few
weeks, and completely isolated Sew
ard and Anchorage. The Burnside
was in drydock when the breaks oc
curred and has been delayed in tak
ing her departure for the North.
The Burnside will first repair the
cable direct to Valdez which is re
ported to have parted near Sitka,
where many miles of new cable was
laid last summer. In the event that
the break occurred in the old cable
the Burnside is equipped to renew' the
cable in the section where the inter
ruptions most frequently occur.—
Valdez Prospector.
MAY COMPEL PRESIDENT NOT TO
SEND ULTIMATUM TO NATIONS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.—A reso
lution was introduced in the senate
today to prevent the president from
sending an ultimatum to any Euro
pean power or from severing the re
lations of this country with any other.
The resolution is regarded as having
a tremendous bearing on the future
diplomatic power of any president.
The resolution of Gore to prevent
Americans from traveling in belli
gerent armed ships is also now be
fore the senate.
❖ ❖❖*♦❖**•>❖**
❖ SWEET YOUNG NOME *
❖ LADY PASSES AWAY •>
❖ - *
Mrs. Dan Jones, of Nome, died at
Zanesville, Ohio, a few weeks ago,
according to a letter deceived this
morning by the Gateway. Mrs. Jones
was formerly Miss Jessie Slifer, a
most popular young school teacher of
Nome. She was married about two
years ago to Mr. Jones, the superin
tendent for the Alaska Hoad Commis
sion in the Second division. In ad
dition to her wide circle of friends in
Alaska she also was in Panama dur
ing the construction of the canal and
there she was acquainted with Lieut.
Mears and his family and many
others who are now with the Engi
neering Commission. Scores of peo
ple in Seward knew the young lady
and it was only on the last boat a
member of the Gateway staff received
a letter from her.
SAM SILVERMAN SAID
TO BE BLACKMAILED
Advices from Seattle say that Sam
Silverman of Seward is one of many
who have been blackmailed by a gang
which operated all over the country.
A man named Sichler, two women
named Isabella Clark and Lillian Pat
terson, and others have been arrested.
The photographs of Silverman and
others are said to have been taken
while he was in a house where the,
women were and to which he had
probably been decoyed. His photo
and those of the others were publish
ed in New York papers.
TAKE FRENCH PRISONERS
BERLIN, Feb. 26.—It is announced that during the
fighting for the possession of Verdun thousands of
French prisoners have been captured and that tk<' losses
of the enemy have been terrible.
BRYAN SUPPORTS GORE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.—William Jennings Bryan
is supporting the effort of Senator Gore to prevent Ameri
cans from traveling on armed merchantmen of the belli
gerent nations but President Wilson has come out in a
strong declaration against the passage of the bill. The
president declares that the bill seeks to embarrass him
when he has stated that Americans should be free to
travel as they wished and how they wished.
BACHELLORS CALLED TO COLORS
LONDON, Feb. 23.—The proclamation notifying un
married men that they are liable to a call to the colors has
been posted all over the country. The men are given until
March 3 to enlist voluntarily. After that time they will
be conscripted.
ANOTHER WAR FUND
LONDON, Feb. 23.—Parliament yesterday authoriz
ed the flotation of another loan of two billions. 1 his
brings the total loans for the war up to ten billions.
Lloyd George states that the establishment of a govern
ment munitions factory had reduced the expense of manu
facturing munitions by two millions a week.
RUSSIANS ATTACK
LONDON, Feb. 23.—Advices from Petrograd are to
the effect that the Russians are now waging a solid offen
sive all the way from the Baltic to Roumania. The Ger
mans are reported to have been forced back near D\ insk
and part of the Austrian army which evacuated Czer
nowitz is said to be in a serious position.
TAKE FRENCH TRENCHES
BERLIN, Feb. 23.—The war office announces that
800 meters of the Femch trenches have been captured
east of Souchez.
« m ■ imii ii ■ 1 ■—
NO JAP ARMY FOR EUROPE
TOKIO, Feb. 25.—General Oku, formerly minister of
war, denied in parliament.yesterday that Japan will send
an army to aid Russia but he declared that this govern
ment will continue to supply the Russians with munitions
of wrar. He made the startling statement that Japanese
warships have been sent to the Mediterranean to aid the
B ritish to defend the Suez canal.
FRENCH ADMIT DEFEATS AND
TEUTONS APPROACHING VERDUN
GERMANS STILL GAINING
LONDON, Feb. 26.—Advices from Paris last night,
•warding the German attack on Verdun are most dis
quieting. It is admitted that the French have beefl forced
to withdraw still further and that the enemy has captur
ed several villages and positions formerly held by us. I he
Teutons are now reported to be within six miles of the
outer fortifications of the city itself and it is feared that
the evacuation of some of those fortifications will be found
necessary. The fighting is believed to be the bloodiest of
the war. The French admit a loss of twenty thousand
men a day. Hand to hand fighting took place in some of
the villages and fierce bayonet work was the rule in many
cases. The Germans probably suffered very much more
than the French owing to the fact that they were on the;
offensive. The Teuton losses are estimated at a hundred
and fifty thousand. The struggle is still proceeding with
the Germans charging recklessly almost under the eyes
of the emperor himself. The wounded are being brought
to Paris and other towns in thousands and the hospitals
of the capital are filled.
GERMANS CLOSE TO VERDUN |
LONDON, Feb. 26.—The latest advices from Paris
indicate that the German rush on Verdun has gained
further ground and that the Teutons are now only some;
five miles from the city itself. The contest is still raging j
with terrific fury and an awful loss of life.
CUT OFF TURKS
PETROGRAD, Feb. 23.—It is announced that the
Grand Duke Nicholas has cut the communication of the
Turks in Asia Minor and that the capture of the Turkish
garrison of the city of Trebizond is imminent.
THREE GERMAN ATTACKS
PARIS, Feb. 25.—The Germans are attacking in three
different places as part of a general offensive. Besides
the attack on Verdun they are also attacking in Artois
and Flanders and it is believed to be the last effort of the
Teutons to break the allied lines. Our troops are reported
to be holding firm almost everywhere.
APPAM CASE REPEATED
LONDON, Feb. 25.—The British liner Westburn has
been captured by German raiders and taken to Santa
Cruz in the Spanish Canary islands as a prize of war just
as the Appam was seized and taken to a l nited States
port It is supposed that the Moewe which captured the
Appam also captured the Westburn but some are inclined
to think the capture was effected by the Ponga which was
recently sighted by a British cruiser off the Madeira
islands. On board the Westburn when she was taken in
to Santa Cruz were the members of the German prize
crew ami two hundred passengers who had been taken off
other ships which have recently been captured by the
same or other German raiders. The Westburn is reported
to have been taken off the Canary islands and the British
government believes the German raideis have a base in
one of the Spanish possessions in that group. Madrid will
be asked to investigate.
CANADIANS RAISE MORE MEN
TORONTO, Feb. 24.—Three new Canadian batallions
are now ready to enter training for the front. In addition
to this there is an American batallion. The members of
the American force have objected to being led by Cana
dian officers and they will be permitted to select their
own from this time forward.