fl-jl 11 GOLD, COAL
2™D i COPPER
OF THE LAST L| AND FISH
FRONTIER | I IJ
THE ALASKA EVENING POST
Volume XL Number 7S WARD, ALASKA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17,1917.__Ten Cents the Copy
PRESIDENT IN PERSONAL
CHARGE OF PLAN TO K 1
AMERICAN SHIPS MOVING
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Feb. 17.—What may vir
tually become a blockade of American Atlantic ports by
Germany’s submarine fleet is regarded by .officials today
as overshadowing other issues in the situation existing as
a result of unrestricted sub warfare by the Teutons.
The accepted view is that President Wilson will go
before congress soon to announce what steps are to be
taken to relieve the situation, but no time has been set for
’this action.
President Wilson personally assumed charge of the
problem of moving American shipping to and from Eur
opean ports today. He has planned the next move which
tloes not plan acquiescing to Germany’s submarine
methods but is said to involve arming of American mer
chantmen.
_
TAFT SAYS WE ARE RIGHT
INDIANAPOLIS, Saturday, Feb. 17.—Ex-President
Taft in an address last night declared that the United
States is right in its stand and urged all to stand by the
president. _
AMERICAN TROOPS LAND IN CUBA
f --
HAVANA, Saturday, Feb. 17.— Correspondents for
the Cuban newspaper Lalucha state that American troops
have been landed at Santiago de Cuba to guard the Ameri
can consulate and that they are patrolling the streets.
It is officially continued that Americans have landed
elsewhere in Oriente province.
FORMER CONSULTS HELD AS A SPY
NOGALES, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 17. — Frederick
Kaiser, former German vice-consul in Mexico was arrest
ed on a charge of violating the national defense laws to
day following a visit to the government warehouse at
camp Stephen, a little under suspicious circumstances.
CAPTAIN OF $5,000,000 GERMAN
4INER TELLS COURT HOW HE WAS
ORDERED TO DESTROY ENGINES
BOSTON', Saturday, Feb. 17. — Candid statements
that fte had been ordered to destroy the machinery in the
$5,000,000 German liner Kronprinzessin Cecelie and had
transmitted the order to the chief engineer, who carried
it out were made in court here today by Captain Polack,
master of the ship.
Polack refused to sav from whomjie received the or
der, stating that if he did he might be tried for treason in i
Germany.
The incident was most dramatic. Captain Polack had
been subpoenied before the federal court on a hearing on
a petition by the owners to sell the vessel, at which it de
veloped that the engines would have to be rebuilt.
Captain Polack stated that he had been ordered by a
man connected in an official capacity with the German
embassy to disable its machinery, to prevent the use of
the ship by this government in event of hostilities with
Germany.
“I was in Hoboken, when I received the order,” said
Polack and I at once telegraphed to the chief engineer
here to carry it out. The work of destruction was com
pleted between January 31st and Feb. 1st.”
When asked to give the name of the person from
whom the order was received, Polack said:
“Your honor, 1 am an officer of the German navy, and
if I should disclose the name of this member at this hear
ing 1 might be tried for treason when I went home to Ger
many. I wish you would not oblige me to answer the ques
tion.*’ The question was not pressed further.
Captain Polack and the Kronprinzessin Cecelie figur
ed in one of the first dramatic sea stories of the world.
She was enroute to Germany at the time war was declar
ed and had obard 1,200 passengers and $10,700,000 in
gold. She was ordered by wireless on July 31st, 1914 to
dodge English cruisers and hurry back to America and on
August 4th she reached Bar Harbor, Maine.
The Harold Blekum did not sail un
til this morning. She dropped down
the at a rapid rate with a fair
wind.
The warm storage on the dock just |
( being finished has three walls, three
ceilings and three floors, with a layer
of tarred felt between each.
PUT FIVE GREAT ENGINEERS IN RESERVES
WASHINGTON, Saturday ,Feb. 17. — The greatest
single step in national military preparedness was taken
today by the war department in the appointment to the
U. S. signal officers reserve corps of five leading electrical
engineers of the world.
Telephone and telegraph. companies and electrical
companies of the country have given the chief executives
of the nation to understand that their employees have
SCANDAL OVER
LETTER USED
INCONGRESS
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Feb. 17.
—Another encounter has occurred in
the long continued clash between
Delegate Wickersham and Col. Rich
ardson of the Alaska Road commis
sion and as a result reports of a
scandal are rampant around the war
department and halls of congress.
This clash is an aftermath of the
“dry bill” one clause of which provid
ed that license fees collected in the
territory, a part of which are now
turned over to the Alaska road fund,
should be “deposited by the clerks of
the district courts of Alaska in the
territorial treasury of Alaska, and
the legislature of Alaska is hereby
authorized to expend the said funds
jy law for territorial uses,” thus cut
ting off a source of revenue from the
road commission. Wickersham was
author of the bill, anti Col. Richardson
charged that the clause was a joker
aimed at him.
The alleged scandal as charged by
Richardson’s supporters is that Wick
ersham is urging his prohibition
measure containing this clause, quot
ed an approving letter from Former
Secretary of War Garrison, which
they allege was altered.
In support of the charge the war
department’s carbon copy of Garri
son’s letter, showing it to be a direct
contradiction of the letter as quoted
by the delegate, has been produced.
Wickersham denies knowledge of
the alteration and intimates that if
there has been any alteration it was
by his enemies on the copy.
Sec. of War Baker is skeptical in
the matter.
It is said that Delegate Wicker
sham complained to the war depart
ment concerning Col. Richardson’s al
leged improper conduct.
Opposition by Richardson to Wiok
ersham’s .re-election is claimed by the
former’s friends to be responsible.
Rumors that Col. Richardson is
slated to leave Alaska as a result of
the continued quarrel are now re
ported.
Correspondents who have investi
gated the affair report Wickersham’s
stock as considerably below pat in
war department circles, and the next
move is awaited with interest.
BOATS AND TRAINS
The Alaska is due in Juneau tomor
row.
The Admiral Watson is due in Ju
neau Monday.
The train left this morning at 8:30
for Mile 40.
THE WEATHER
Yesterday.
Maximum . 32
Minimum . 24
Current . 26
Weather . Clear
Wind . North
i
WEATHER TOMORROW
Increasing winds and cooler.
253 TREATED
DURING YEAR
ATHOSPITAL
At the regular meeting of the Hos
pital Helpers on Wednesday, the re
port of work done during the first
year of the organization was read by
the president, Mrs. T. M. Ward, show
ing the hospital to have accomplished
i
a great deal for those afflicted by in
jury or illness during the past year.
The report follows:
“This being about the anniversary
of the hospital’s opening, we feel that
those interested would like to know
what is being done. The hospital has
been in existence a year and every
thing done on as small a beginning as
prudence would allow.
“During the year 253 people have
been treated; there are 23 who have
received care without compensation,
several of these may respond later.
“The many contributions of books,
papers, fruits, plants and flowers,
fish and game, have all aided to the
cheerful keeping of the hospital, and
we take this opportunity of thanking
each donor. The Christmas remem
brances from the groceries, meat
markets, school children and the
I
thoughtfulness of the Seward Bank,
are all worthy of particular mention.
“There are several things to be ac
complished during the year, such as
putting in sterilizers for the operat
ing room, enlarging one of the wards,
and adding necessary equipment in
place of temportary arrangements.
“The work of the Hospital Helpers
consist of the necessary sewing, sup
plying all reading material, visiting
the sick and furthering the interest
of the people in the hospital work.
To date they have furnished 36 sheets
cut and hemmed, 28 pillow cases, 43
flannel g?wns (mens’), 3 fine bath
robes, 1 doz. bedroom slippers, 3 doz.
towels, 2 doz. dish towels, 21 pairs of
curtains, 2 infant’s outfits, numerous
bandages, operating aprons and mis
cellaneous things.
“There are no dues but a mite box
was establshed for voluntary contri
butions and with the proceeds needles,
thread, markers, etc., were purchased.
“Surely all the women of Seward
ought to take interest in this good
work and try and attend the meetings
occasionally which meet twice a
month at the hospital on Wednsedays,
from 2:30 to 4:30 o’clock. Mrs. J. H.
Romig and Mrs. Anton Eide kindly
offered their homes for meetings
when the hospital was crowded. The
officers are: Mrs. William Edes, hon
j orary president; Mrs. Thomas Ward,
r president; committee on arrange
1 ments, Mrs. J. M. Sloan and Miss M.
I A. Ryan.
I __
GROUND HOG MAY
BE REAL PROPHET
Northern lights haveN)een playing
around the sky with unusual brilli
ancy the past few nights and snow
banners from the peaks indicate that
Boreas will resume his sojourn here
abouts. All of this was foretold on
the second when the groundhog crept
forth and ducked back into his hole
with a frosted nose.
been organized and have ottered their services as iesu\
ists in the signal corps.
RAILROADS TO CO-OPERATE
NEW YORK, Saturday, Feb. 17.—Railroads of the
' United States have made it known through the central
' offices here that in event of war they will co-operate.
STEEL NETS BLOCK
NTRANC: TO NEW YORK
AND HAMPTON ROADS
NEW YORK, Saturday, Feb. 17.—Defense measures
against raids in the harbor of New York by submarines
of the enemy in event of war with Germany were taken
today when a great steel net was put in place at the en
trance.
This net is similar to those in use at the entrance to
the harbor of Halifax, from which all of the Canadian
contingents have embarked for Europe.
ADMIRAL McLEAN ISSUES WARNING
NORFOLK, Va., Saturday, Feb. 17. — Warning was
issued to mariners today that a steel net to guard against
attack by submarines were being placed at the entrance
to Hampton Roads. This work is under supervision of
Rear Admiral McLean.
Pending orders the gate of the net will be left open
and marked with dags, but mariners are advised that the
iet is liable to be closed without warning in which event
patrol boats will be near at night to let merchantmen
through. _
GERMAN SEAMEN IN AMERICAN
PORTS ARE FREE, EXCEPT THOSE
VIOLATING PORT REGULATIONS
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Feb. 17.—No German sea
men on ships interned in American ports are being held
except those charged with an offense or held under suspi
cion of violation of some law, is the statement issued to
day by Atty. General Gregory. He announced that those
responsible for sinking ships in harbors would be prose
cuted.
HANS HIKES HOMEWARD
NEW YORK, Saturday, Feb. 17. — Hans Tauscher,
husband of Johanna Gadski, of operatic fame and agent
for the'Krupp interests sailed for Europe on the Freder
ick Eighth.
EXAMINING BERNSTORFF’S PASSPORTS
HAL1FAZ, Saturday, Feb. 17.—Examination of pa
papers and credentials of German diplomats, including
Bernstorff, on the Frederick Eighth is proceeding slowly.
WILL LEAVE BRAND WHITLOCK ALONE
I BERLIN, Saturday, Feb. 17. — Brand Whitlock will
i renn'in in Brussels in his diplomatic capacity._
LOCATION OF
COLD STORAGE
ISJORVEYED
Surveyors have layed out the site
tor the San Juan Fishing^nd Packing
company’s plant and set the stakes
indicating the lines of the dock which
will extend into deep water. Piling
and all of the material available loc
ally has been assembled at Powder
House point, and caps and stringers
for the dock are on the freighter Ju
neau, due here next week.
Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney, formerly of
Prince Rupert, have taken over the
second floor of the Patton building on
Fifth avenue and will probably make
their home here.
BOXING BOUTS
FEATURE OF HOP
D ’ ATHLETIQUE
The basketball game will start at
8:45 and dancing will begin immedi
ately following the game. A good
lively game is expected and everyone
is cordially invited to attend. Sever
al good boxing bouts, including one
bv the Frazier brothers, will take
place during the evening. The decor
ation and refreshment committees
have been working hard for the past
week ot make this the biggest dance
of the year, and the person who does
not attend will ever afterwards con
sider himself entirely “out of the
swim" socially.