SEWARD:—The Gateway to the Land of Opportunity—The Hunters’ Paradise—The Homesteaders’ Land of Promise
- --1 The Gateway
The Gateway • to the
to thc Kenai, Knik, Broad Pass
Great Coal Fields of Gold fje|ds
Matanuska L-—
MEMBER ASSOt IATKI) PRESS _ ,‘1)B1.ISHKI> DAII.Y EXCE,, .ENDAV___LA KG EST ALASKAN (.TRCL'LAITOM.
V>1 a S i SEWARD, THE GATEWAY TO ALASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER It, Ifl*._____len Lent. ih« <-»Pf
ITALY STANDS FOE ?EACE
TIDE OF BATTLE EAST AND WEST EBBS AND FLOWS
U. S. TROOPS
MOBILIZING
NINE TRAINLOADS PASSING
THROUGH ELPASO FOR
THE FRONTIER.
ELPASO Dec. 19.—Nine trainloads
of American troops began passing
through this place last evening on the
way to Naco, Arizona, for the pur
pose of protecting the American ter
ritory from the bullets which con
tinue to pass over the border. The
sending of the troops is undoubtedly
the answer of the United States
government to the statement by Car
ranza that he would regard any in
tereference by the Americans with
the Mexican belligerents as an act of
hostilty. The very moment the Amer
ican soldiers reach the border another
crisis may be regarded as being in
existence between this country and
the Mexican republic. It is feared that
Carranza would almost welcome
trouble with this country as he now
finds himself in rather a tight pre
dicament.
NOTICE
I'nlesa the weather is very stormy
the telephone service will be interrupt
ed on Sunday between the hours of
10 a. m. and 2 p. m.
ALASKA ELECTRIC CO.
The coon skin raffle will take place
in the store of W. W. Butts tonight
at 9 o’clock.
See us before sending outside f)«*
your job printing.
SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT
DELIGHTED AUDIENCE.
mmmmm
All in a Crowded House Declare it the
Best Amateur Performance
in Their Memory.
Very many people were unable to
get into the Casino theater last night
owing to the extraordinary numbers
of those who wished to see the school
entertainment and, everyone says,
they lost a most pleasant experience.
The training and work of the puplis
simply amazed those who looked on.
Every number was perfectly rendered
and the program was a work of real
cleverness. To pick out any particular
young performer for special mention
would be only fair to him or her but
mght suggest invidious comparison
that would be unfair to the others not
mentioned. But the teachers of the
schools certainly deserve great credit
Judge Morford of the School board
has handed in the following commun
cation;
“The members of the Seward
School Board, and the teachers wish
to express their appreciation of the
generosity and kindness of Mr. Nuzum
in placing the Casino free of all ex
pense at the disposal of the school
children for their entertainment last
i evening. VSc feel that in view of thi
assistance thus given by Mr. Nuzum,
and the pleasure afforded to the peop!c
last evening we might show our ap
preciation by making a full house at
the casino this evening.
ARRIVE FROM IDITAROD.
Those arriving from Iditarod this
afternoon were Harry Yeager, Cap
tain Norton and Miss Edith Bell. R.
S. Eskridge from Bear creek is on the
way here.
CLOUDS or MYSIERY
SURROUND BATTLES
Russians Admit Leaving Lowicz
But Claim a Draw in
Other Places
PETROGRAD IS SILENT
LONDON, Dec. 19.—The announcement by the Ger
mans that they have gained an overwhelming victory in
Poland still fails to bring a response from Petrograd and
the people of this country are in a quandary as to \\ hat
has really occurred although they seem to suspect that the
full truth has not been told. Berlin is also reported to be
puzzled by the absence of details and is said to be exper
iencing a shadow of disappointment on that account but
it still continues to celebrate with enthusiasm what has
undoubtedly been some sort of a victory however decisive
or indecisive it may prove to be. The only announcement
from Petrograd this morning is to the effect that a new
Austrian expedition which has been launched across the
Carpathian mountains has been checked by the Russians
in Galicia and that the Russians are still firmly holding
their positions on the Silesian frontier. Cracow and the
region around it are described in this announcement as
the real pivot of the operations which are now develop
ing. This news is taken to indicate here that the Rus
sians are content to remain on the defensive in northern
and central Poland while planning for the invasion of
Germany from the south. The only other interpretation
that could be thought of is that Petrograd is trying to
hide the worst or that the British censors are not giving
out all that they know of the matter. The full truth is
bound to come out, however, either today or very soon
thereafter as movements of such magnitude cannot be
hidden very long.
RUSSIAN REPORT
LONDON, Dec. 19.—The Grand Duke Nicholas, com
mander in chief of the Russian armies, has evidently
| C ALIFORNIA ALSO HAS
THOUSANDS OF IDLE MEN.
Commission on Emigration Issues
Warning to People Who Think
of Going There.
SACRAMENTO u<.:. 19.—The Cal
ifornia Commission on Emigration
and Hou ing today issued a strong
• warning against persons coming to
! this state at the present time seeking
I employment. The Commission reports
j that thousands of people are now idle
! in the state and very little indication
| is given that matters will improve
very soon.
WICKERSHAM WIRES.
The Seward Commercial Club re
ceived to day from Delegate James
Wiekersham a cable requesting the
club to aid him in securing appropria
tions for much needed work in Alaska.
1 The club officials state that Mr. Wiek
ersham may depend on the organiza
ton for all the help in its power and
it will communicate with him to that
effect immediately.
.-.———
key PITMAN.. FAVORS SEVVARI).
YV. D. Coppernoll arrived in Seward
on the last boat direct from Nevada
whose representative in the United
Senate, Senator Key Pitman, adivsed
him to come to Seward if he wanted
to get in on the Railroad boom. Sen
ator Pitman was formerly a resident
of Nome and since his election to the
United States has worked hard at
every opportunity to do the territory
benefit. He is confident that Seward
is the only “logical” point for the
ocean terminal.
BIG DEAL MADE t
1 IN BROAD PASS
TOM AITKEN BUYS WELLS PROP
ERTY FOR A QUARTER
MILLION
Torn Aitken, the wealthy operator
of the interior has purchased the
quartz property of the Wells boys in
the Broad Pass for a quarter of a
million dollars. Two thousand dollars
were paid down in cash and a further
payment of eight thousand dollars
will be made in thirty days. The pro
perty consists of three claims on what
is known us the Mammoth ledge.
This is the first really big deal made
in ihe section since the amazingly rich
discovery was made there a few
months ago. Aitken came out from
the interior and spent several days
here in Seward during which time lie
went out on an extended trip about
which he seemed to be particularly
desirous of keeping quiet. When he
left here he said he was going to
Skagway and thence to Fairbanks
over the trail but there is now a sus
pcion that he was bound for the Broad
Fuss although this may be a mistake.
Mr. Me La ighlin who was with him
is supposed to have remained behind
at Knik or some other place in the
vicinity to examine the property with
the results stated.
The latest news from Broad Pass
seems to confirm the most optimistic
statements made about it notwith
standing the scepticism which has
been in evidence in quarters outside.
drawn in portion of his forces from the Lowicz line and
retired to entrenchments nearer to Warsaw. 1 his is, o
course, tantamount to an admission ot a reverse but he
does not apparently consider it serious. The reverse which
the Russians say the Germans have suffered in the le
gion of Mlawa is believed in London to have interfered
materially with the operations of the Gei mans along t e
Vistula. Petrograd also asserts that the Germans have
evacuated Lodz not having found it to be of any strategic
value just as the Russian generals decided it of no vaule.
The Russian forces which are threatening Cracow and Sil
esia remain fixed in their positions according to the Rus
sian accounts and have not retreated as reported, lhe
Austrian raid which brought back the 1 eutonic forces
across the Carpathians and succeeded in getting fai in
to Galicia seems to be checked. On the whole, it is ad
mitted, the reports coming from the east are rather hazy
and it is known that Berlin and Vienna are celebrating
a great Polish victory so that the people here are getting
anxious for further information.
ITALY REMAINS NEUTRAL
ROME, Dec. 19.—'That Italy will remain neutral
throughout the great war seems now to be fully assured.
The senate adjourned last night after having made a
unanimous manifestation of the desire to keep the peace.
Premier Salandra in a strong speech denied entirely that
Italy had ordered the mobilization of its troops and today
the city of Rome has for the first time begun to regard the
great conflict which is raging all around it as something
in which it has no direct interest.
PARIS CLAIMS ADVANCE
PARIS, Dec. 19.—It is officially announced this morn
ing that the allied troops have organized the positions won
from the enemy in Belgium. The chief successes in that
part of the field have been won south of Dixmude. We
have also advanced our front to the south of a place called
Korteker and between the Lys and the Oise we have made
progress at several points. The co-ordination of the mili
tary movements east and west is shown in a stiiking way
by the offensive movemnt of the allies in France keeping
the Germans engaged and so preventing them from send
ing reinforcements to the Polish battlefields.
The gains of the allies in France and Flanders are
reported to hEve fullv counterb&l&nced tbe Germsn Ed*
vance in Poland and the effect of the enemy’s success in
the last named place may be regarded as only making
matters even worse.
HUNGRY MEN RAIDING
STORES IN SEATTLE.
Police Adopt Stringent Measures But
are Giving Shelter to Those Who
are Unfortunate.
SEATTLE, Dec. 19.—Several cases
of raiding stores and restaurants by
unemployed men have occurred here
recently and have forced Mayor (Jill
to insruct the police to make precau
tions promptly for the prevention of
further similar acts of violence.
It is stated by the police that
worthy men aro being sheltered by
the city but that there are others who
will not work and will be treated sev
erely. Every effort is being made to
provide work for all the men possible
but the conditions are certainly very
unfavorable.
ALASKA SEAL THIEVES
WILL BE PUNISHED.
Ways and Means Committee of the
House Recommends Drastic
Measures.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.—The
ways and means committee of the
house has taken up the question of
robbing the seal fisheries off the
Alaska coast and today made a re
comendation that more drastic laws
be passed to deal with the thieves.
GOETHALS MI STAREN.
WASHINGTON Dec. 19.—It has
been learned that the chief cause of
Governor Goethals' request for the
dispatch of United States warships
to the Panama Canal zone was the be
lief that a British collier had violated
neutrality there by sending wireless
messages. It has been found on in
vestigation that this collier has no
wireless aboard.
CASINO THEATER WILL GIVE
A SHOW SUNDAY EVENING.
Management Decides to do What
Every Other Theater in Alaska
is Doing.
The Casino Theater will open Sun
day night with a big three reel fea
ture “The Tangled Web" A big three
act feature by the Reliance company
Tonight will be the last performance
of Victor Hugo's Beautiful classic of
“Dan Caesar De Brazan"
ADVETISED LETTERS.
List of letters remaining uncalled
for at Seward Alaska Post office Dec.
1st 1914.
John Aho, 5, Joseph Anderson, James
Calder, Mrs. Comstock, Edward
Davey, Geo. T. Ford, Miss Crestine
Heighman, John Henderson, Jim Long^
C. A. Luckenville, Fred Nelson, W. Sfc
Nall, Tom Parker, M. W. Sinclair, 3,
Emil Valkman.
In calling for these letters, please
say “advertised" One cent due on
advertised letters. Philip J. Hickey jr.
Postmaster.
MRS. TIFFANY OPENED
A NEW STORE TODAY.
Mrs. R. H. Tiffany opened her new
store today next door to the Gateway
office. She carries a stock of ladies’
and childrens’ goods and various
articles of all kinds. Mrs. Tiffany has
formerly conducted *uccessful stores
in Fairbanks and Iditarod.
NEWS NOTES
The railroad car was requisitioned
today to bring in some passengers
who came from Iditarod.
The mail from the interior arriving
today started from Mile Thirty Four
this morning.
NATIVE CHARGED WITH
MURDER BROUGHT HERE.
Held to Grand Jury on First Degree
Murder Said to Have Been (om
mitted at Oshitna.
Indian Jim was brought to Seward
today from Knik by Deputy Marshal
Harry Brown and will await the ac
tion of the grand jury on the charge
of murdering another Indian named
Tom Stepan at Oshitna which is
some distance from Knik in the inter- \
ior. The prisoner was held over by the j
United States commissioner at Knik,
on the charge of murder in the first j
degree. The facts which have come j
out regarding the occurrence indicate
that the two natives had a row about
some matter which is not made quite
evident. The result of the melee is (
said to have been that Indian Jim shot
Stepan with a rifle in the region of,
the heart killing him. He w’ill be held
here for transference to Y'aldez to go
before the grand jury. He is a mid-1
die aged man and is said to be well i
known by the whites of the dstrict
where the alleged murder took place.
ALASKA PIONEER IS
LAID TO REST.
ANCHOR PT., Cook Inlet Alaska,
Nov. 23, 1914.—Jack Williams one of
the old Pioneers of Alaska was buried
here today. His death occurred Mon
day the 23 of November at the age of
64. Heart failure was the cause of his
sudden death.
The dancing club will hold the se
cond of its series of dances this even
ing at the Railroad building. All j
members arc requested to be present
at 9 o’clock sharp.
RAILROADS ARE
NOW SECURED
INCREASE IN FREIGHT RATES
MEANS THIRTY MILLIONS AN
NUALLY TO THEM.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.—The ad
vance in the freight rates of the rail
roads by the Interstate commerce
commission granted yesterday wJl in
crease the incomes of the railroads
by thirty millions annually. All the
railroads between the Atlantic sea
board and the Mississippi river north
of the Ohio and Potomac rivers will
be benefited by the increase. The
railroads west of Buffalo and Pitts
burgh which got partial advances last
August obtain further privileges un
der the new permission to advance
the rates. The decision of the Com
mission to permit the advance is on
the wohle well received in the country.
MAKES RECORD TRIP.
Harry Brown, the popular deputy
marshal who arrived today with a
prisoner from Knik, made a record
trip. He accomplished the journey
from that town to this in twenty four
hours actual travelling. He will re
turn as soon os possible.
The preparations which are now go
ing on for the Firemens' Masquerade
ball on New Years Eve promise a
rattling good old time in seeing the
old year out—the year that marks an
epoch in the affairs of this part of
Alaska.
ALLIES CONTINUE 10
HURL THEIR ATTACKS
More British Ships Blown Dp
By Mines Laid By
Raiders
ALLIES REPORT PROGRESS
LONDON, Dec. 19.—The reports this afternoon from
the western front are to the effect that in the vicinity of
Labasse where the Germans had clung to their positions
tenaciously for several weeks the allies have made what
they regard as considerable advances. The German spear
point wedge that had been driven into the allied lines at
that point has presented an irritating problem to the al
lied leaders but it is now reported to be gradually forced
backward. The allies admit that the progress so far has
been slow but the military critics expect to gain a tremen
dous impetus as the days advance.
THREE BRITISH SHIPS SUNK
SCARBOROUGH, England, Dec. 19—Three other
ships have been blown up near this city by mines laid by
the German cruiser which made the raid on this coast a
few days ago. One of the vessels was a mine sweeper
which with several others had been engaged in the work
of searching for the mines laid by the Germans. Only one
man of her crew is reported to have been saved. The other
two vessels lost are merchant steamers. These occur
rences, added to the losses by mines in the same vicinity
a few days ago, have created the belief that the German
cruiser must have almost literally covered all the neigh
boring water with mines.
LONDON, Dec. 19.—One hundred men including
several German officers perished when the Turkish bat
tleship Massudieh was sunk in the Dardanelles by the
British submarine. This feat has been the topic of the
hour in England.