Anrijoratjp Jlatltj Srmps
t
AND COOK INLET PIONEER
VOL. 2. NO. 132.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, THUR81 >AY, APRIL 3, 1017.
PRICE TEN CENTS
SENATE PUSSES THE WAR RESOLUTION
Matanuska Coal Urgently Needed by United States Navy
W. T. PERKINS, FORMER ALASKAN,
URGES SPEEDY OPENING OF COAL
FIELDS FOR BENEFIT OF U. S. NAVY
SEATTLE, April 5.—W. T. Perkins, a former prominent,
business man of Alaska, now located in Seattle, lias returned
from a trip to the national capital. While in Washington Per
kins called on Secretary of the Navy Daniels and urged the
immediate opening of the Matanuska and other Alaska coal
fields, so that the product might become available for use of the
United States naval fleet in Pacific waters and that a reserve
supply of fuel may be stored at all coaling stations. Perkins
stated that in the event of war with Germany, the Alaska coal
would vastly aid the naval fleet, pointing out that the coal sup
*plv was limited on the Pacific coast. The secretary was great
ly interested.
ENTRY OF UNITED STATES RED LETTER
' DAY FOR FRANCE, SAYS THE PREMIER
PARIS, April 5.—Premier llibot, who succeeded Hriand
and formed a ministry, today declared that the entry of the
United States into the world war was a red letter day for
France. Foreign Minister Cambom said that “President Wil
son’s message to the American congress is a great battle won
from the Germans.” N
* «■
TWENTY THOUSAND MEN WANTED IN
THE QUARTERMASTERS’DEPARTMENTS
WASHINGTON, April f>.—A call was issued today 1 «y the
war department for 20,000 workers, in all trades, for the quar
termasters’ enlisted reserve corps. American citizens, between
the ages of IS and 4f> years, of good character and enjoying
good health, will be accepted for a period of four years, un
less sooner discharged by the proper authority. Those who
enlist will be promoted to higher grades in the reserve, as soon
as vacancies occur.
FipCH FORCES ARE GRADUALLY
CLOSING IN ON GERMAN POSITIONS
DAKIN, April 5.—French forces are gradually closing in
on the strongly fortified city of St. (Quentin, occupied by tier
man troops. The German forces were forced to precipitately
withdraw from three strongly protected lines of trenches north
of Folio farm near the city.
MINISTERS IN AUSTRIAN CABINET
RESIGN AS RESULT OF BIG SCANDAL
LONDON, April 5.-—The Austrian ministers of justice, war
and finance have tendered their resignations, following revela
tions of a grave scandal growing out of enormous grafts in the
purchase of supplies for the Austro-Hungarian armies, accord
ing to the Overseas News agency. While the ministers may
not be directly connected with the grafting, the wholesale loot
ing occurred under their particular departments.
UNDER PRESSURE FROM GERMANY, DUAL
MONARCHY WILL BREAK WITH UNCLE SAM
LONDON, April 5.—Advices received in London from The
Hague today are to the effect that Austria-Hungary will sever
diplomatic relations with the United States, as a result of
pressure brought to bear on the dual monarchy by the Prus
sian government.
NO DOUBT OF SEVERANCE.
VIENNA, April 5.—If the war resolution passes the con
gress, diplomatic relations will be severed as between Aus
tria-Hungary and the United States. There is now no longer
room for doubt ou this score. The Austro-Hungarian govern
ment, it is learned today, has placed a special car at the dis
posal of American Ambassador Penfield, and when official news
$>mes of the passage of the war resolution, he will be handed’
his paisports forthwith.
BY OVERWHELMING VOTE, SENATE
PASSES FLOOD-MARTIN RESOLUTION
WHICH MEANS WAR WITH GERMANY
WASHINGTON, APRIL 5.—THE UNITED STATES
SENATE TODAY PASSED THE FLOOD MARTIN RES
OLUTION, WHICH DECLARES THAT A STATE OF
WAR EXISTS AS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
AND GERMANY. EIGHTY-TWO SENATORS VOTED IN
FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION AND SIX VOTED AGAINST
ITS PASSAGE. THOSE WHO VOTED AGAINST IT ARE:
LA FOLLETTE, STONE, NORRIS, LANE, VARDEMAN AND
GRONNA. THE HOUSE IS DEBATING THE RESOLU
TION. CHAIRMAN FLOOD, IN CHARGE OF THE RESO
LUTION, BEGAN THE DEBATE. HE SAYS THE RESO
LUTION WILL PASS BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE DAY.
ARMY OF TWO MILLION.
WASHINGTON, April 5.—The general staff of the United
States army is preparing plans for another army, to be com
posed of civilians, of two million men, to bring Germany to
terms, without unnecessary delay.
300 SUBMARINE CHASERS.
WASHINGTON, April 5.—Secretary of the Navy Daniels
today contracted for the immediate construction of three hun
dred submarine chasers, to be built as soon as the shipbuilding
plants of the nation can turn them out. It is expected that
many will be completed within thirty days.
BRITISH COMMISSION TO COME OVER
LONDON, April 5.—The British government will dispatch
a commission to the United States, as soon as the war resolu
tion passes the congress, to discuss the work of co-operation as
between the United States government and the allied powers.
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April f>. I‘respects are bright for a vote
on the war resolution before the day is done. The senate lias
been in continuous session since convening at Hi o’clock yester
iay forenoon. Debate appeared to br* nearly exhausted this
forenoon. Much depends on Herr La Follette’s action, how
ever, and he declines to give any hint as to his intentions. A
big majority of the senators favor the resolution and it is a
foregone conclusion that it will pass when it comes to a vote,
but most of the solons wished to be hoard in order to place
themselves on record before the country as supporters of the
president in a cause which they deem just.
NATIONAL BLUNDER, SAYS STONE.
Senator Stone, of Missouri, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, in speaking of the war resolution, character
ized it as “the greatest national blunder in the history of the
United States. He declared that lie would gladly lay down his
life to “prevent this huge mistake.”
URGES SEIZURE OF GERMAN SHIPS.
Senator Lodge, ranking republican member of the foreign
relations committee, speaking in support of the war resolution,
declared that the United States government should forthwith
seize all German merchant ships now in American ports and use
them.to replace American ships that have been sunk by Ger
man submarines.
HOUSE BEGINS DEBATE OF RESOLUTION:
TO REMAIN IN SESSION UNTIL PASSED
WASHINGTON, April 5.—The house committee on for
eign relations substituted the senate resolution for the original!
Flood resolution and last night submited it to the house with
a recommendation that it do pass. Chairman Flood, of tlie i
committee, will have charge of the resolution on the floor. By
unanimous consent, the house agreed to begin a discussion of
the resolution at 10 o’clock this forenoon and to remain in con
tinuous session until final action is taken. No special rule has
been adopted to limit debate. Chairman Flood believes that on
an important matter of this nature, all who wish should be en
titled to be heard, to set themselves right before the nation. It
is a foregone conclusion that the house, by an overwhelming
vote, will pass the war resolution. Of the entire membership,
itrteU(QfKbelieved that over 15 votes will be recorded against it,
when the final ballot is taken.
ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOARD TO LEVY
TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL
SCHOOLS, IF GRIGSBY BILL PASSES
•II XKAl , April •>. I’he joint (‘durational committor bill,
ior the relict oi towns on the government railway line, which
provides lor the establishment ot school districts outside of in
corporated towns having a population of 500 or over, within a
ladins ot 4<i square miles, was introduced in both houses to
day. I he bill ](resented provides that towns must have not less
1 han 50 children between the ages of six and-20 years. A peti
tion must be filed with the district court, whereupon an elec
tion will ensue, tor the selection of live directors. The school
board will have power to levy taxes on a percentage of the ac
tual cash value ol all real estate and personal propertv within
the specified district and to collect such taxes through court
process, if necessary. A petition signed by 50 resident citizens
•' sufficient to secure an order for an election. The bill was
drawn bv Attorney-!Jeneral (Jrigshy and-is considered a good
one.
COL. ROOSEVELT’S DIVISION FOR
FOREIGN SERVICE READY FOR WAR
l>ALI,AX, I ox., April o.—Col. Roosevelt’s division for for
111*11 service is organized and ready for war. This was the
statement made today by Col. Sloan Simpson, a close personal
I riend oi Roosevelt, and the colonel commanding tin* Texas
Oklahoma regiment F. in the division. Simpson said that his
own regiment, like all the other regiments in the division, was
fully officered ami manned, and was ready to leave on a few
hours’ notice.
SENATE PASSES HOUSE MEMORIAL URGING
50 PER CENT OF LOT MONEY BE RETAINED
•II NHAF, April h. The senate yesterdav passed the
house memorial asking the national congress to pass a hill per
•Hitting :.n per cent of the moneys derived from the sale of lots
in government townsites to he employed for the benefits of the
respective towns. A memorial protesting against the Alexan
dor fisheries hill was also passed by the senate.
GENERAL DEFICIENCY BILL PASSES
HOUSE UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES
\\ AXIlIXtiTOX, April '(’In* general deficiency bill, one
of four 1 >i*> supply measures which failed to pass the last ses
sion, being killed in senate by the LaFollette filibuster, passed
the house yesterday, under a suspension of the rules. It is be
lieved the other hills will pass in like manner.
IMPORTANT CITIES OF THE NATION
VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROHIBITION
Cl lit ADO, April f>.—Chicago and Springfield, in Illinois;
Madison, in Wisconsin, and Duluth, in Minnesota, are among
the great cities that voted in favor of prohibition in elections
held Tuesday.
BANKING BILL BEFORE HOUSE AND
A LIVELY FIGHT WAS THE RESULT
,Jl XHAT, April 5.—The house, in committee of the whole,
has recommended the passage of the banking bill as amended,
allowing banks with a capital of $lf>,()00 to be established in
any community having a population of not over 1,000 inhabi
tants within a radius of five miles. The limit of deposits was
raised from $100,000 to $150,000. A considerable fight (level
oped on the bill. Nerland, McCormick and Coombs led the fight
in favor, while Hess, Burns and Murray spoke in opposition.
Those in favor urged that the banks would be unable to make
interest on capital invested, with a small limit on deposits, and
would tend to keep banks from establishing in small communi
ties. Those opposing were afraid an increase in deposits might
tend to encourage carelessness on the part of bank directors
and not be a sufficient safeguard to the depositors. The bill is
still before the house, but it will probably pass as recommended
by the committee of the whole house.