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i_DAIL_i __ LARGEST ALASKAN CIRCULATION
APVKRTISKMHNTS BRING RESULTS_eVBUSBSD DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY___—= __
- — ■ * . __ ~ fft,p Ten Cent* the Copy
Vo] ,0 Np _ _SEWARD. THE GATEWAY TO ALASKA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 19U __- -----■
CONSCRIPTION INTRODUCED BUT
THE NATION’S WORKERS PROTEST
I
' Widespread Pessimism in Eng
land and Elections May Be
*
Forced — I reland Excluded
From Compulsory Service
Bill—More British Steamships
Sunk in Mediterranean— Rus
sians Rolling Back Germans.
CONSCRIPTION SPLITS BRITAIN
LONDON, Jan. G.—It is admitted this afternoon that
Great Britain is now facing the greatest crisis of its
modern history as a result of a resolution passed by the
National Labor Congress today protesting against con
scription in any form and pledging the labor element of
the nation to tight it to the end. The Labor Congress
rep it nts three million workers, the very sort of men
who would be called out it the new conscription bill be
comes law. and the action of their congress has, therefore,
created a feeling of widespread pessimism. Not since the
war began has the nation felt so gloomy. The first re
sult of the action of the workers is expected to be the
creation of a grave governmental crisis which will force
a general election from which it is expected the present
conservative minority would come triumphant with Lloyd
George adopted by that party and made a member of the
cabinet. The general belief is that parliament will pass
conscription in spite of opposition and then will matters
come to a head.
CONSCRIPTION INTRODUCED
\
LONDON, Jan. 6.—Prime Minister Asquith has in
troduced the government’s modified conscription bill and
Sir John Simons, formerly Home Secretary, has opened
the fight against it. The most striking fact connected
with the bill is that Ireland is excluded from it after the
protest of the National party whose leaders declared that
forced military service would split the nation hopelessly.
The bill as it stands provides for the enforced enlistment
of all single men between the ages of eighteen and forty
one who have no one dependent on them. \\ idowers must
serve as well as bachelors if they have no children de
pendents. The bill is absolutely democratic. Every man
of any social station is included so that titled individuals
will be compelled to serve with workers.
PERSIA TENSION RELAXES
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—President Wilson and Sec
retary Lansing have held a conference over the sinking of
the Persia and they have unofficially expressed the belief
that Austria will make a disavowal of responsibility. No
word has been uttered yet as to what has passed between
the two governments with respect to the matter and the
silence of Austria has been regarded as peculiar although
in some quarters it is supposed that the governments have
really exchanged some notes of a preliminary kind whose
contents have not been given out. It is known that the
tension created by the sinking of the Persia is relaxing
but it is admitted to be still intense although matters are
not at all as serious as they were immediately after the
arrival of the news of the sinking of the ship.
MOVE AGAINST ITALIANS
ATHENS, Jan. 6.—An army of forty thousand
Austrians is now marching against the Italian army
which occupies Durazzo, Albania, and an important bat
tle is imminent. Just south of the Austrians is Elbassan
where the Bulgarians were reported to have defeated the
Serbs some time ago so it is assumed that the Austrians
will have their left guarded by the Bulgars. Italy has
now two armies in Albania, one at Avlona and the other
at Durazzo which is on the mainland. A defeat for the
Italians would mean their forced evacuation of the coun
try' if they could manage to embark on their ships and
the coming struggle is, therefore, regarded as one of
supreme importance so far as the fate of the Balkans is
concerned. The Austrians are reported to be moving
steadily forward for the struggle.
GARY SAYS ALL EXHAUSTED
NEW YORK, Jan. 6.—Chairman Gary’ of the United
States Steel Corporation issued a statement today to the
effect that the belligerent nations are starving for men
and money to continue the war and that the conflict must
end sooner than anyone expects.
MAY PUT EMBARGO ON MUNITIONS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—A strong movement has
now been started in congress to prohibit Americans from
trafficking in the vessels of belligerent nations and also
to place an embargo on American munitions intended for
Europe. Should the effort to place an embargo on muni
tions come to a show down it is expected to create one of
the bitterest fights ever seen in congress as it will divide
sharply those in favor of the Allies and those in favor of
the Teutons. Pro-Germans all over the nation are now
doing everything possible to influence members of con
gress to prevent shipment of munitions to Germany s
enemies.
RUSSIANS STILL WINNING
LONDON, Jan. 6.—The Petrograd correspondent of
the Times declares that the Russians have forced the Ger
mans back beyond their line of defense and have inflicted
enormous losses on them. The Russian offensive is being
carried on almost all over the greater part of the eastern
front and th Slav empire is described as being once more
on its feet, well equipped and munitioned.
NO ACTION ON PERSIA
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—It was learned this after
noon that no action will be taken in the Persia matter until
it is learned positively whether the vessel was sunk by a
mine or by a submarine. There is apparently still con
siderable doubt on the matter and no evidence has been
forthcoming except from those who were aboard the
Persia and who are almost entirely pro-Ally in sentiment
AUSTRIA STILL SILENT
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—Penfield, the United States
ambassador to Vienna, has cabled the state department
that the Austrian government is still silent regarding
the sinking of the Persia. The Austrian government has
never uttered a word on the matter.
BRITISH STEAMSHIPS SUNK
MARSEILLES, Jan. 6.—The British steamships
Middleton and Helia have been sunk without warning in
the Mediterranean and several of the passengers and
crews perished.
ARMED ITALIAN SHIP ARRIVES
NEW YORK, Jan. 6.—The Italian steamship Giusep
pe Verdi arrived today from Genoa carrying two four
inch guns mounted on her stern. The passengers say it is
understood the Italian government is responsible for
mounting the guns to repel submarines. The fact is sig
nificant as the presence of the guns make the vessel a
ship of war and lay her open to destruction without warn
ing. She may be forced to leave like any warship. She is
the vessel which took two thousand Italian reservists
from this city some time ago._
•> OFFICIALS BELIEVE *
* HUERTA SHAMMING *
* - *|
EL PASO, Jan. 6.—The guards
have been replaced over the residence
of Huerta as the officials have sud
denly become suspicious that he is
only shamming illness in the hope of
stealing away to liberty. It is rum
ored that the operations said to have
been performed on him were part of
the scheme.
SAY THESSALONIKI
HAS BEEN SUNK
NE WYORK, Jan. 6.—Passengers
who have been brought ashore from
the disabled ship Thessaloniki report
that before they left her the seacocks
had been opened to mako her sink as
she was regarded as a menance to
navigation.
STEAMER STRIKES
WHARF AND SINKS
PARKERSBURG, Va., Jan. 6.—The
steamer Kanawaka struck the pier
here during a storm today and sank.
Eight lives are believed to be lost.
MAY DYNAMITE THE
STEAMER THESSALONIKI
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-~The coast
guard steamer Senecal has been
ordered to proceed to sea to tow in
the steamship Thessaloniki or to dyn
amite her if it is found impossible to
bring her home. In her disabled con
dition and drifting about she is re
garded as a danger to navigation.
75,000 Tons Freight
Went to Anchorage
Commission Asks For Bids For Build
Several Structures.
ANCHORAGE, Jan. 6. — The
records of the Commission show that
seventy-five thousand tons of material
v*ere handled over the dock here from
June 20 to November 20. Bids are
to be opened on January’ 15 for the
construction of a warehouse contain
ing retail stores, commissary, store
keeper ami clerk’s offices and two
store rooms. A platform will be built
alongside the railroad track also and
a two story' building erected there.
One hundred and eighty thousand feet
of lunmber will be required for the
work.
STEAMSHIP WHICH ARRIVED IN NEW YORK
TODAY CARRYING TWO FOUR-INCH GUNS
PUGET SOUND IS
ONLY NAVY YARD
ADMIRAL DECLARES BEFORE
NAVY COMMITTEE IT IS
AHEAD OF ALL OTHERS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6. — I’uget
Sound Navy yard is the only theoreti
cally dependable deep water naval
station in the United States, accord
ing to Rear Admiral Homer R.
Standford, chief of the bureau of
yards and docks, who testified before
the house naval committee today. The
admiral stated that the biggest bat
tleships found not the least difficulty
in entering Puget Sound. On the
other hand, the admiral said, the con
dition at the New York yards could
be regarded only as serious.
Talks Compulsory
Service in 11. S.
Unless Enough Volunteers Step For
ward Conscription May
Come.
WASHINGTON, Jan. U.—Before
the special committee of the house on
army preparedness Secretary of War
Garrison this afternoon outlined his
plans and those of the administration
for increasing the military strength
of the nation He urges voluntary en
listments to bring the standing army
up to one hundred and forty thousand
men and he calls for a volunteer army
of four hundred thousand which would
be trained during certain t»°xiods of
each year. Failing voluntary enlist
ments in the regular army and volun
teers, he says, compulsory military
service will have to bo resorted to.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—More of
the plans of the war department for
the increase of the United States
army laid before the military affairs
committee of the house were the
creation of eighteen mobile federal
forces consisting of a million men all
told after six years. Also the ac
cumulation of reserve ammunition
and equipment. Garrison also wants
coast defenses. The whole would cost
six hundred millions the first year and
two hundred millions a year there
after.
❖ FIRE IN NAVY *
❖ AND WAR DEPT. ❖
❖ - «
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—A fire
was discovered in the basement of
the navy and war department today
but was easily extinguished. Some
rumors were put afloat that the fire
was of incendiary origin but there is
probably not the silghtest foundation
for them. The blaze is attributed to
spontaneous combustion.
*44<. + *** + *««
❖ SCOTTY ALLAN *
❖ IS HOME AGAIN ❖
❖ - *
SEATTLE, Jan. 6.—Scotty Allan of
Nome returned yesterday from
France where he brought the dogs
purchased at Nome for the I4 rench
army. He has left for Berkeley, Cali
fornia.
EXPECT CABLE TODAY
SEATTLE, Jan. 6.—It is expected
that the cable will be put in working:
order today or tomorrow.
CORDOVA WANTS LABORERS
Caleb Corser, superintendent of the
Copper River Railroad at Cordova,
wires to Seward this morning: asking:
for twenty laborers to be sent over
on the Alameda to work in the rail
road yards in Cordova.
ALAMEDA AT VALDEZ
The Alameda was reported unoffici
ally to be due at Valdez this after
noon at 1 o'clock.
GREAT PLANT
FOR SEATTLE
NEW COMPANY TO START BIG
STEEL SHIP BITLDING
W O U l\ s.
SEATTLE, Jan. 6.—G. N. Skinner,
of the Port Blakeley Mills an<l C. B.
Lamont, former assistant to the
president of the Seattle Construction
& Drydock Company, have formed a
company for the purpose of establish
ing a great steel ship building plant
which will rival anything on the coast.
The new company is said to have the
backing of Charles K. Peabody, John
T. HofTernan and Joshua Green. The
company has already acquired an op
tion on the plant and site belonging
to the Anderson Steamboat Company
on Harbor Island. The Anderson
Company had a similar intention but
admits that it was unable to raise the
money.
ANCHORAGE HAS RINK
ANCHORAGE, Jan. 6.—The new
ice skating rink is now operating nice
ly and the skaters are having a tine
time.
ANCHORAGE WATER
SYSTEM OPERATING
ANCHORAGE, Jan. 6.—The water
has been turned on in the new water
works and all is going splendidly but
it will be several days before the
water is tit to drink.
Wickersham Now
In Alaska Bureau
He and Governor Strong Made Honor
ary Members Seattle
Body.
SEATTLE, Jan. 6. — Gnernor
Strong and Delegate Wickersham
were designated honorury members
of the Alaska Bureau of the Seattle
Chamber of Commerce this af'.ernoon.
Will H. Parry was a third man
designated also. E. C. Hughes and
John T. HefTornan were elected mem
bers of the executive committee of the
Bureau.
WANTS TAKE PICTURES
HERE FOR PATHE CO.
Will E. Hudson, representative of
the Pathe Company at Seattle, writes
to a member of the Gateway titaflf
asking if the Commercial Club or
Chamber of Commerce or some ether
public body would take up the mat
ter of having moving pictures of
Seward taken for the the famous film
company. All that would be required
is the payment of expenses for the
photographer. Mr. Hudson traveled
with Louis Lane as moving p:cturc
man in one of the Arctic trips of the
man who was first to find StefTanson.
LADIES ENTERTAIN
Mrs. George Sexton and Mise
Sylvia Sexton were hostesses yester
day afternoon to six tables of bridge
whist at their home. Mrs. Gla lys
Finnegan played high score, winning
a beautiful hand embroidered apion.
Mrs. Isaac Evans won the consolation
prize, a pretty hand painted dish.
The ladies present were: Mesdames
Sawyer, Borgen, Myers, De Line, Fin
negan, Root, McNeer, Chambers,
Evans, Daggett, Sloan, Stewart,
Sauers, Schaleben, Cramer, Ward,
Tamblyn, Sexton, Blue and A. H. Mc
Donald; and the Misses Wold, Root,
Margaret Romig, Elizabeth Romig
and Miss Sexton.
GOING ON ALAMEDA
The following will leave on the
Alameda:
Mr. Moffat, Mrs. Hettel, John
Kacerosky, Mrs. Mauvais, Joe Laib
ner and Herbert Tozier.