VOL. 2. NO. 118.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, TUESDAY, MARCH 20,1917.
PRICE TEN CENTS.
UNITED STATES TO JOIN WITH ALLIES
French and British in Pursuit of Germans on West Front
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS ADMIT THAT
STATE OF WAR EXISTS AS BETWEEN
UNITED STATES AND GERMAN EMPIRE
WASHINGTON; March 20.—While technically peace be
tween Germany and the United States still exists, it is official
ly admitted that Germany lias committed an overt act in tlie
sinking of three American vessels, which virtually precipi
tates a state of war between the two countries. Complete de
tails of the destruction of the vessels have not reached the state
department, and until official information is available, no de
cisive action on the part of the president is expected. It is
the general belief that a special session of the congress will be
IP called to convene this week, as the chief executive is not em
powered to declare war on a foreign nation without the consent
of the congress.
TO JOIN WITH ALLIES.
WASHINGTON, March 20.—In declaring war on Germa
ny, an event expected before the week ends, the United States
will join with the allied powers. It comes from official sources
today that President Wilson is informally making negotiations
with Great Britain and France, with this end in view, and with
especial reference to united action in guarding the transatlan
tic steamship lanes from the activities of.German submarines.
The administration is now devoting its efforts to guard against
U-boat activities, which is regarded as the chief menace to
the United States, in the eveut of open hostilities.
^ TO SPEED ^VSAVAL CONSTRUCTION. --
WASHINGTON, March 20.—President Wilson today au
thorized the navy department to expend a hundred and fifteen
million dollars to speed naval construction and purchase small
auxiliary naval craft for submarine patrol duty on the Atlan
tic coast. The president likewise authorized the suspension
of the eight-hour laws on naval construction work, with pay
ment of time and a half for overtime.
MOTOR BOATS ARE WANTED.
WASHINGTON, March 20.—Appeals to a hundred ship
building concerns throughout the nation to provide the govern
ment immediately with 200 or more 110-foot motor boats, to
be submarine1 chasers, were sent out by the navy department
today.
1 TURNING OUT NEW OFFICERS.
WASHINGTON, March 20.—Within the approval of the
president, Secretary of the Navy Daniels has ordered the grad
f\ation of the first and second classes at the naval academy.
'The first class will go out March 29, releasing 172 junior offi
cers to till vacancies, and the second class will graduate Sep
tember 15, releasing 202 officers. The latter class will be re
, leased a year sooner than in the ordinary course of events.
SPEEDS UP NAVAL CONSTRUCTION.
WASHINGTON, March 20.—Secretary of the Navy Dan
iels has ordered the New York navy yard to complete 00 sub
marine chasers within 00 days, or 80 days at the outside.
INTERNED SAILORS SEEK TO ESCAPE.
PHILADELPHIA, March 20.—Sailors on the German
y steamers Prinz Eitel Frederick and Kron Prinz Wei helm, in
terned at the navy yard, made a concerted effort to escape last
night. All but four have been retaken.
STUDENTS ARE PATRIOTIC.
WASHINGTON, March 20.—Students of the Central high
school tore from the walls of the class room a picture of Kaiser
• Wilhelm and hung in its place a picture of President Wilson,
decorated with American flags. The emperor’s likeness disap
peared before the officers of the school and cadet corps had an
opportunity to present Miss Marie Sibert, teacher of German,
who had prepared a resolution protesting against the presence
of “ A murderous picture,” and demanding its removal.
► INTERIOR DEPARTMENT MAY BUILD
ROADS AND TRAILS IN ALASKA
WASHINGTON, March 20.—Secretary of War Baker is
-considering a propositon to transfer the supervision of the
managemeftt and construction of roads and trails in Alaska
drom the war department to the department of the interior,
le is said to he inclined to recommend the change, which, if
'* made, will be by executive order or by act of the congress. He
* is expected to announce his decision by the time the congress
•convenes in special session.
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JUDGE JENNINGS TELLS CANVASSING
BOARD TO ISSUE CERTIFICATE OF
ELECTION TO CHAS. A. SULZER
J UN ft All, March 20.—Judge Robert W. Jennings
of the First division, issued an order this forenoon di
recting the official canvassing board to issue a certifi
cate of election of Charles A. Suker, democrat, as dele
gate to congress from Alaska, succeeding the incum
bent, Hon. James Wickersham. It was known last eve
ning that Judge Jennings would render his decision in
the election contest, at 10:30 o’clock this forenoon, and
the court room was filled to capacity with interested
auditors. The official canvassing hoard, composed of
Governor Strong, Secretary Davidson and Collector of
Customs Pugh, upon a canvass of the election returns
from all precincts in Alaska, found that Delegate
Wickersham was elected by a plurality of 31 votes over
Suker. Before a certificate of election was issued, in
conformity with this finding, Attorney-General Grigs
by caused the issuance of a restraining order to pre
vent the board from issuing a certificate to Wicker
sham. pending a contest over technicalities alleged to
exist.
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FIRST OFFICIAL ACT OF RUSSIAN
MINISTRY IS TO ASSURE ALLIES
OF CONTINUANCE OF WORLD WAR
PETROGRA I), March 21).—A Russian ministry lias been
formed that meets with the approval of the different elements
concerned in its organization. One of the first official acts of
the new ministry was to notify Russian diplomatic and consular
agents abroad, and they in turn to notify the respective nations
to which they have been assigned, that Russia is now united
in a desire to tight out the war with the determination to win
and continue to act with her allies until a victory has been
achieved. Prof. Milukoff is the new foreign minister and is
receiving diplomatic reports from the allied powers. The
foreign minister declared that Russia is stronger than ever,
from a military standpoint, and would do her full duty toward
her allies.
FALLING INTO LINE.
LONDON, March 20.—The entire Russian Baltic fleet and
the powerful fortresses at Viborg and Sveaborg have joined
the revolutionary forces, according to advices received in Lon
don today.
GRAND DUKE HAS NOT ABDICATED.
LONDON, March 20.—The Central News agency says it
is informed that tin* statement given out yesterday to tin* ef
i feet that Grand Duke Michael has abdicated is incorrect.
HINTS AT GERMAN REVOLT.
AMSTERDAM, March 20.—The Berlin Yonvearts, com
paring the situation in Russia with that of Germany, declares,
“ What shall the world say that all nations on earth are free
except Germany?” Other German newspapers compare the
declaration of tin* Russian provisional government with the
declaration of Chancellor von Bethmann-IIollweg, in the Prus
sian diet, to discredit the latter’s statement.
SINKING OF S. S. MEMPHIS
WASHINGTON, Match 20.—The
destruction of the American steamship
City of Memphis, in the opinion of
high officials in the administration,
provides a striking case of an overt
act on the part of Germany. The
commander, Captain L. P. Borum, is a
native of Norfolk, Virginia, where he
was born and reared, his parents be
ing American-born. Every officer
had his American license and every
naturalized American in the crew had
. his naturalization papers. While on
a previous voyage from New York
city to a European port, the City of
Memphis was halted off Sicily islands
; January 29 by a German submarine,
| whose captain demanded to see the
shift’s papers. The steamer's mate
was taken aboard the U-boat and the
papers carefully examined. The mate
was informed that inasmuch as the
steamer carried contraband of war,
she should be sunk, but that because
of the friendly relation between the
United States and Germany, she might
proceed. *
Fear Captain Held Captive.
WASHINGTON, March 20.—The
fear that Captain L. P. Borum and
nine seamen of the lost steamer City
of Memphis are prisoners aboard the
German submarine that destroyed the
vessel is expressed in the second oi
two dispatches received by the state
department today from American
Consul Frost. The captain’s boat was
found at 11 o’clock yesterday morning
and contained evidences of hasty aban
donment, the master’s papers being
found in a biscuit tin found in the
boat.
IMPORTANT VICTORIES BEING GAINED
i BY FRENCH AND BRITISH TROOPS ON
WEST FRONT, OVER OPPOSING GERMANS
PAMS, Parch -0.—Today or tomorrow two entire French
departments, those of Oise and Aixue, will he liberated from
German control, according to reports received today from the
front by tlie war office. Sunday, the French troops began an
advance against the opposing German forces. The advance
, continued throughout yesterday and up to today noon, when
the reports were received in Paris. Since Sunday morning, an
! advance of lli miles had been made, between the Aure and Ais
ne fronts. French cavalry entered Xesle, in the direction of
Ham, on the Somme front.
ANOTHER REPORT OF FRENCH ADVANCE.
PARIS, March 20.—French advance guards have entered
the important town of Rove and French troops now occupy
the entire front between Andeehy, south of C'haidnes. and Aise
Atribecourt, comprising powerfully fortified lines which the
Germans have held for more than two years.
BRITISH PURSUING GERMANS.
i LONDON, March 20.—The British troops are continuing
a rapid advance on the retiring German troops, and have oc
cupied the important towns of Nesle, (’lmulnes and Peronne.
Along a front 4.) miles wide, the British troops have entered
German positions, at some points to a depth of ten miles. In
addition, the British have taken 00 villages, formerly in the
possession of the Germans.
GERMANS ADMIT RETREAT.
BFRLIN, March 20.—A systematic retirement of the Ger
man troops between Arras and Oise, on the French front, is
announced by the war office today. Perone, Bapaume and
Rioye, as well as several other important towns have been aban
doned.
HOT PURSUIT OF GERMANS.
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IX FRANCE. March 20.—
So rapid lias become tilt* pursuit of the Germans, retreating
in the Alien* and Somme sectors today, that the British caval
ry came into play, after restless months, waiting and longing
tor this time to come, it is officially reported in the latest ad
vices from General Haig. The report says that poisoned wells
were found in the village of Barlex, southwest of Pennine,
which was occupied by the British troops in the wake of the
retreating German garrisons. Haig reports today that 40 ad
ditional villages on the western front have fallen into the
hands of the British troops.
GERMANS IN FULL FLIGHT.
PARIS, March 20.—Closely pressed by French and Brit
ish forces, the German lines are in full retreat on the front from
Switzerland to the seaeoast. The French troops occupied 20
additional villages today.
GREAT AERIAL BATTLE IN PROGRESS
BETWEEN GERMAN AND FRENCH AIRMEN
BERLIN, March 20.—A battle that is in progress for the
mastery of the air along the Franco-Belgian front, was car
ried on with great intensity yesterday, and continues today.
Twenty-two aerial craft, mostly French, were destroyed by the
German aerial fleet. The Germans lost but three machines.
BAGS HIS THIRTY-FIFTH MACHINE.
PARIS, March 20.—Captain Guynemer, the famous French
aviator, brought down Ids thirty-fifth German aeroplane yes
terday.
ADAMSON LAW CONSTITUTIONAL
SAYS THE U. S. SUPREME COURT
WASHINGTON, March 20.—The United States supreme
court yesterday handed down a decision declaring the Adam
son eight-hour law constitutional. The decision overrules the
finding of a circuit court of appeals that held that the law was
unconstitutional.
Germans' Claim of Tonnage Sunk.
BERLIN, March 20.—German re
ports claim that the gross tonnage of
allied shipping sunk in February, by
German submarines, will aggregate
761,500 tons.
German Concessions Taken.
PEKIN, March 20.—Chinese troops
today occupied German concessions in
China. Germans in charge were ar
rested and will be interned, until the
war is over.