SEWARD:—The Gateway to the Land of Opportunity—The Hunters’ Paradise The Homesteaders’ Land of Promise
- -—■ The Gateway
The Gateway to the
to th® ' Kenai, Knik, Broad Pass
Great Coal Fields of Gold Fie)ds
Matanuska -
--- ottm tanon |» *.| v t’YPPi'T SUNDAY LARGEST ALASKAN CIRCULA I ION
ADVERTISEMENT BRING KKSH IS_ PUBLISHED HA1I.1 EXCEPT SUNDAY -----
Vol 9 No 195 SEWARD, THE GATEWAY TO SEWARD, ALASKA, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 11. 1915. ___Tin C enla Ihi ( |>
BRITISH MUST EXPLAIN WHY SHIPS USE U. S. FLAG
RUSSIA AND PRUSSIA
IN MIGHTY CLASHES
Two Drawn Battles Between
Forces of Europe's Giants
BERLIN CLAIMS VICTORIES OVER
THE FRENCH
BATTLE NEAR TILSIT
LONDON, Feb. 11.—A new battle has started east of
Tilsit in East Prussia where a German batallion has been
annihilated and other distinct successes gained by. the
troops of the czar. Tilsit is on the Memel river and direct
ly east of the German fortress of Koenigburg but the fact
that he new battle has started in that quarter seems to in
dicate that the Russians have fallen back somewhat from
the position which they occupied some time ago. The Ger
mans have been heavily re-inforced along their line from
Gumbinnen in East Prussia to Mlawa in Poland and are
beginning a new offensive with the evident object of clear
ing the Russians out of German territory. It is reported
that the Germans have evacuated the city of Lodz. It is
certain that the Russians have taken the offensive near
Warsaw as the enemy has been compelled to weaken his
forces at that point in order to re-inforce his East Prus
sian armies. Should the German center be driven back
west of Warsaw it would probably mean a German retire
ment along the whole line from East Prussia to Galicia.
GERMANS WIN VICTORY
LONDON, Feb. 11—The Germans have been victor*
ious over the French in the Vosges mountains and in the
department of Vosges according to the official statements.
Berlin claims the victory to be a decisive and important
one but Paris belittles the result although it admits that
reverses have been suffered in that quarter. It is also ad
mitted that the German offensive in the region of the Ar
gonne is bringing results but in this case also the reports
are conflicting. The results are not very serious, however,
as can be judged from the statements of the Germans
themselves who claim only to have captured some lines of
trenches and a more or less important position or two.
The news is disquieting, nevertheless, as it seems to indi
cate that the enemy is still vigorous in spite of his terrible
losses. Britain is now looking forward eagerly to the
time when Kitchener’s new army will be ready to take the
field in full strength when a change for the better may be
looked for. The military authorities and the people are
fully conscious of the immensity of the task before them
since the Russians have not been able to make material
headway but the determination to see the struggle to the
end is all the greater.
BULGARIA TO BE NEUTRAL
SOFIA, Bulgaria, Feb. 11.—The prime minister of
Bulgaria made an official announcement today that this
country will remain neutral in the present war. This an
nouncement is supposed to mean that whatever Rouman
ian action might be the attitude of Bulgaria will not be
altered. There is a decided feeling here that in the event
of Germany’s success in the war Turkey for its services
will be re-instated in all the provinces taken from her by
this country and the other Balkan allies in the Balkan war.
On the other hand it is believed that the victory of Russia
would mean not only the driving of the Turks from Eur
ope but would also mean that Russia would no longer re
gard Bulgaria's right to expect sympathy because of this
nation’s failure to aid the allied cause. Bulgarian friends
of Russia assert that the defeat of the Russians in Bukow
ina may have influenced the premier in making his de
claration of permanent neutrality.
TO PARALYZE GERMANS
LONDON, Feb. 11.—Premier Asquith announced to
day in the house of commons that the government is now
considering drastic measures for the complete paralyzing
of German commerce. The Chronicle, a government or
gan, in commenting on this announcement hints that
those measures may affect directly some of the neutral
European countries to the north of Germany which are
now supplying Germany with foodstuffs across the Baltic
sea. The whole session of parliament is given over almost
entirely to discussions relating to the war and many
questions are being asked regarding the conduct of af
fairs.
NEW VESSEL
FOR THIS RUN
PASSENGER STEAMER WILL
COME DIRECT HERE AND
THEN WEST.
Captain Tinn who is now in Seward
will leave Seattle on May 15 in com
mand of a new passenger steamer
which is being Built for Captain J.
Humphrey and which will run direct
to Seward from the outside and from
here to points to the westward winter
and summer. In summer the vessel
will run as far as Betties on the Kus
kokwim and in winter it will run as
far west as Dutch harbor. The ship
j is being built at Port Angeles. It is
| a one thousand ton twin screw* steam
' er and will have the Pure Dresel en
gine. being the first boat in the Amer
ican morchant service to be provided
with such an equipment. It is an im-,
ported engine but a number of sub-;
marines in the United States navy
carry it. The new boat will have cold
storage and accomodations for forty
first class and thirty steerage pas
sengers. It will travel by the out
side passage. Captain Tinn was the
commander of the ship Harold Llekumj
which was recently wrecked at Uyak
bay. He will go outside on the Mari
posa.
WILL POST BULLETINS
The Gateway will post bulletins to
morrow in case news of importance
arrives. As Lincoln’s birthday is a
legal holiday in the state of Washing
ton the cable offices at Seattle may
be open only during the same hours
as on Sundays. Mr. Zwink of the lo-j
cal office says, how'ever, that it will be
the same as on ordinary days.
❖ HOLIDAY FOR LINCOLN *
❖ AND SECRETARY SEWARD •>
❖ —1 «■
❖ Tomorrow, February 12, will •$
❖ be Lincoln’s Birthday. It is a $
❖ legal holiday in many states of *
<* the Union and in the nearest *
❖ state of Washington but the <■
•> wonder is that it is not a holiday *
❖ in every state. *
❖ There are double reasons why *
❖ it should be a holiday in Alaska *
❖ and particularly in this city for
❖ Lincoln wfas the man who made <
❖ William Henry Seward secretary <
❖ of state. The Seward Gateway, **
❖ in this year when “Seward’s Fol- <■
❖ ly” is proven to be real wisdom,
❖ wishes to observe the occasion in $
❖ behalf of the city called after the *
❖ great secretary and will not pub- 4
❖ lish tomorrow'. *
❖ To speak of the sublime Abra- *
❖ ham Lincoln himself would be $
❖ superfluous but it is fitting here $
❖ in Alaska and particularly in *
❖ Seward to recall w'hat local in
❖ terest there is for us in the oc- *
❖ casion. * *
•> In I860 Lincoln defeated Sew- ♦
❖ ard in the convention for nomina- **
❖ tion for the presidency but Sew- ❖
❖ ard afterw'ards exerted himself *8*
❖ to secure his great opponent’s ♦
•> election. Afterwards Lincoln ap- ♦
❖ pointed Seward Lis secretary of *>
❖ state and, later, in 1867, when <•
❖ Seward was still in power, he
❖ purchased Alaska from Russia. *8*
❖ So closely was Seward associat- <•
<* e<l with the great president that •>
•> when Lincoln met martydrom *8*
❖ Seward was wounded at his side. •>
❖ He lived, however, to buy Alaska ♦
•> and so is history made. *
<•❖❖❖❖❖*> •>•>*> ❖ <•
EVANS AT SEATTLE.
SEATTLE, Feb. 11.—The Admiral
Evans arrived last night at midnight.
U S. ASKS WHY ENGLISH
SHIPS CARRY U. S. ELAGS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.—The state department has
sent a note to the British government asking for an ex
planation of the carrying of American flags by the British
ships in their efforts to escape German submarines. The
note is the direct result of the action of the British ship
Orduna which arrived at New York yesterday and whose
captain admitted having flown the American flag at the
peak while in the waters around the British islands so that
she might escape the attentions of any German submarine
that might be lying in wait. Another British vessel also
stated a few days ago that while travelling across the
Irish sea she adopted similar means of escaping the Ger
man submarines and the custom is probably becoming
quite common. The note of the state department as usual
is couched in a friendly tone but it draws attention to the
fact that the practice is not only irregular but is probably
contrary to international law entirely. It is pointed out
that when British ships carry American flags it exposes
bona fide American ships to danger as the destruction of
an American ship by any belligerent could be justified by
the fact that the carrying of an American flag is no longer
[ proof that the ship is really an American
Following up this note the state department also
sent a note to the German government asking for inform
I ation as to what means the Germans will take to verify
the identity of ships flying a neutral flag in the recently
proclaimed danger zones Other countries may take the
precaution of Sweden in having the Swedish colors paint
ed on the hulls of its ships to make certain that no vessel
of a belligerent may use the Swedish flag to avoid danger.
The note of the United States to Britain on the matter is
regarded as being necessary as silence could only be re
garded by Germany as a consent to let British ships use
the American flag as they wished to. The opinion here is
that such consent would be an act very short of hostile to
Germany. The question adds one more to the perplexing
ones that are now arising fast and involving this govern
ment in the troubles of Europe. Indeed it makes many
feel pessimistic regarding the ability of the United States
to avoid serious trouble before the war ends.
SHIPPING BILL ;
WILL BE LOST
SENATE ADJOURNMENT AFTER
54 HOURS MEANS NOTH
ING ELSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.—The sen
ate adjourned last night after a con
tinuous session of fifty-four hours and
this adjournment means without a
doubt that the ship bill is put back and
cannot be pissed during the life of
the present congress. It also means
in the opinion of all the officials and,
people in the capital that an extra
session is assured. The adjournment
took place although the democrats
had a majority in the senate and the
very fact that they consented to the
adjournment is taken to mean that
they admit defeat. Within a few days
the president is expected to summon
! the extra session. Some of the demo
crats profess to believe that there is
still a hope of carrying the bill with
out an extra session but no one credits
! them with believing what they pre
! tened to believe.
I _
BELLINGHAM BREWERY
TO BECOME FACTORY.
Butter and Cheese Will Take the Place
of the Poor Man’s
Beverage.
BELLINGHAM, Feb. 11.—The
stockholders of the Bellingham Bay
brewery have decided to turn their
brewery into a dairy and butter and
cheese factory when the prohibition
law takes effect on the first day of
next January. In this way the owners
of the brewery believe they may not
only overcome the losses to them caus
ed by prohibition but that they can
I establish a business which ought to
be most prosperous.
Several other breweries in the state
are also now figuring on some way
by which they might save some of the
money which prohibition will cost
them.
2_
HUMPHREY BITTER ON
NEGLECT OF ALASKA.
Scores the House for Failing to Chart
and Light the Alaska
Coast.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.—Repre
sentative Humphrey of Washington
severely scored the house today for
its failure to chart the waters of the
Alaskacoast and to provide the neces
sary lights., He showed by the record
of the loss of lives and ships that it
would actually be economy for con
gress to provide the necessary safe
guards. In this matter Representa
tive Humphrey has been very promin
ent but it is said that his efforts have
not borne their full fruit because of
his opposition to the administration
and, therefore, to the majority of the
members of the house of representa
tives.
TRANSCONTINENTAL
ROADS PRIVILEGED.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.— The in
terstate Commerce Comission has
granted the transcontinental railroads
the right to establish lower rates to
the Pacific coast points on certain
commodities than to intermountain
points. This privilege is granted to
enable the roads to compete with the
Panama canal.
WATSON DUE TONIGHT.
The Admiral Watson is due late to
night according to word received by
Agent Wayne Blue.
BRITISH TAKE FOOD
MEANT FOR GERMANY
Serious Step That Establishes
International Precedent
WASHINGTON SENDS ANOTHER NOTE
TO LONDON
WILHELMINA CARGO SEIZED
FALMOUTH, England, Feb. 11.—The cargo of food
stuffs sent from the United States on the ship Wilhelmina
and destined for Germany has been seized by the British
government which thus takes the stand that foodstuffs,
even when intended for the civil population of a hostile
nation, are contraband of war. The Wilhelmina herself
has been allowed to go while the cargo will be sold by the
prize court. The owners of the cargo have given notice
that they will protest against its seizure on the ground
that the announcement of the British concerning food
stuffs came after the sailing of the ship and that she was,
therefore, entitled to land the cargo. The whole matter
has now passed beyond the range of conjecture am. will
probably become the subject of international diplomatic
exchange. Some of the English newspapers aie ahead}
speculating as to the probable action of the United States
on the matter and there seems to be a general feeling
that if the American government objects to the seizure
of the goods it will show a spirit of unfriendliness on the
part of Washington.
FOOD RIOTS IN BERLIN
BERLIN, Feb. 11.—The police were called today to
suppress food riots in the market of this city. I he rioting
was due to the rise in prices of some of the articles for
which there appeared to be no just reason, lhe trouble
assumed ugly proportions for a time but the police had not
much difficulty in restoring quiet. The government as a
result of the disturbance will probably take further step.''
to prevent further increases in the price of food.
MOUNTAIN BATTLES UNDECIDED
LONDON, Feb. 11.—The great battles raging in the
Carpathian mountains and Galicia are still undecided but
the dispatches from Petrograd declare that the position
of the Russians in each of those countries is most promis
ing and there is every reason to expect brilliant victories.
The Russian right in Carpathians has crossed the
mountains and is now threatening the rear of the Germans
and Austrians who have apparently advanced too lar tor
the safety of their communications.
GERMANS ABANDON ATTEMPT
LONDON, Feb. 11—The Germans have abandoned
finally the attempt to reach the French ports from Nieu
nort and are now concentrating around La Bassee with
the evident object of striking a great blow at the allies m
that part of the line. It seems to be still their intention to
reach the ports of the Straits of Dover by attacking in
such force at La Bassee that the left wing of the allies
along the French-Belgian coast may be compelled to fall
back to the southward to avoid being caught between the
Germans and the sea.
TURKS SINK AMERICAN SHIP
CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 11.—It is reported here
that the Turkish fleet has sunk the American ship Wash
ington in the Black sea. Confirmation of the story i>
now being awaited before an investigation is undertaken.
No details of the supposed occurrence have been given out.
TO WORK PRISONERS
ESSEN, Germany, Feb. 11.—The mine owners of Ger
many have presented a petition to the government asking
for permission to work the prisoners of war in the coal
mines. They declare that Germany has now so many pris
oners that their support in idleness has become a burden.
It is understood that such a course would be followed by
the hostile nations compelling the German prisoners also
to work No intimation has been given by the government
as to what its course is likely to be on the matter.