VOL. 2. NO. 83. ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1917. PRICE TEN CENTi>
GERMANY WILL NOT STEP BACKWARD
In Event of War, Government to Commandeer Alaska Boats
“WE HAVE BROKEN NO PROMISES,” BOLDLY
ASSERTS GERMAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
BERLIN, Feb. 6.—(By wireless to Sayville)—“There is
no step backward,” declared Dr. Zimmerman, secretary of state
for foreign affairs in the German ministry, in commenting, in
an interview in the Tageblatt today, on President Wilson’s ac
tion in breaking off diplomatic relations with the German em
pire. “President Wilson’s action is astonishing to me,’’.says
the foreign secretary in the interview. “The entente allies’
refusal of our peace overtures left us no other steps open ex
cept unlimited submarine warfare, in the fight for our exist
ence. We made no conditions, much less promises, to avoid un
limited submarine warfare. We have broken no promises. We
hope President Wilson will warn Americans from the barred
zones pretty soon. ’ ’
INDISCRIMINATE SUBMARINE WARFARE
WILL NOT BE MODIFIED IN THE LEAST
BERLIN, Feb. 6.—(By wireless to Say ville)—A continu
ance of peaceful relations, after the departure of the respect
ive embassies from Washington and Berlin, in the sense indi
cated by President Wilson’s speech in the senate, appears to
be very doubtful, judging from all information available in
Berlin, much of it coming from the highest official circles. It
is said positively in high official circles that the German orders
for the conduct of the submarine war could not, and would not
be modified; that in Germany, determination to enforce the
prohibited zones are absolute and final, and that the only secur
ity for shipping is the avoidance of the prohibited zone.
RESOLUTION ENDORSING PRESIDENT’S
ACTION IS UP TO SENATE TODAY
WASHINGTON, Feb. 0.—A resolution endorsing President
Wilson’s action severing diplomatic relations with Germany
was introduced in the senate yesterday afternoon by Senator
Stone, chairman of the foreign relations committee. At the
request of Stone the resolution went over until today, when ac
tion will be taken, undoubtedly of a f-.i\t*iable nature. *
BRITISH STEAMSHIP EAVESTONE SUNK
AND TWO AMERICANS AMONG THE LOST!
LONDON, Feb. (i.—The British steamer Havestone was
sunk by a German submarine in the vicinity of Fastnet yester
day. Among the lost are Richard Wallace, a millionaire of
Baltimore, and a colored man who was a member of the crew.
TENSION OVER EAVESTONE CASE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—There is increased tension over
ihe Eavestone case, concerning which IT. S. Consul Frost, of
Queenstown, cables the state department today as follows:
“Provisional Collier Eavestone sunk by shell tire from a Ger
man submarine in vicinity of Fastnet yesterday. Richard Wal
lace, of Baltimore, and an American negro, an able seaman, kil
led during shelling of small boats after they had left sinking
vessel.”
SWITZERLAND WILL NOT BREAK RELATIONS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—Information that Switzerland
will not adopt President Wilson’s suggestion and break off dip
lomatic relations with the Teutonic powers was received in
Washington today. This is the first response from other neu
tral nations. This is not regarded as important, because Swit
beriand, .being an inland country, is not concerned about the
submarine 'Warfare.
GERARD TO RETURN VIA SPAIN.
^ BERLIN, Feb. 6.—United States Ambassador Gerard has
about determined to return to the United States via a Spanish
port. The plan to have the Brazilian minister take over the
* American diplomatic interests has been abandoned and it is
not!known, at this time, who will look after the affairs of Uncle
Sam in Berlin.
BERNSTORFF WINS A DECORATION.
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 6.—Kaiser Wilhelm has conferred the
iron cross, with the white ribbon, on Count von Bemstorff, ex
German ambassador to the United States.
IS NOW MAJOR THEODORE, Jr.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—President Wilson has appointed
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., a major of infantry in the officers’ re
serve corps.
REPLY EXPECTED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—The German reply to President
Wilson’s note is expected within 24 hours.
IF WAR IS DECLARED ALASKA LINERS
WILL BE COMMANDEERED BY GOVERNMENT
SEATTLE, Feb. (i.—Immediate action in assembling a fleet
of transports, colliers and dispatch boats in Seattle harbor and
the commandeering of a large number of merchant craft now
Operating to Alaska and to coastwise ports will follow a decla
ration of war with Germany. Indications pointing to this step
are revealed in messages to the managers of steamship lines
having head offices in this city. The managers have been re
quested to furnish both the army and navy departments with
descriptions of the vessels they own and to suggest to the gov
ernment the service in which they would be most valuable to
the country, in case of war.
PRESIDENT APPEALS TO CONGF ESS TO CLEAR
THE DECKS FOR ACTION, ANTICIPATING WAR
—
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—Still fervently hoping for peace,
but taking every possible step to prepare the country for war,
President Wilson late yesterday afternoon appealed to the con
gress to dispose of all routine business, appropriation bills and
pending legislation and clear the decks for action to meet any
eventualities that may arise. The president wants congress
free to act at a moment’s notice in a crisis that may come.
-i
SAFE ARRIVAL IN BRITISH PORTS OF AMERICAN
VESSELS TQP4Y BRINGS AIR OF GREAT RELIEF
NEW YO! ’ Vb. <>.—The safe arrival in British ports of
American vessel- Lis morning brought an air of relief to the
tensity which has prevailed everywhere in this country. Gov
ernment officials still hope that Germany will not violate her
pledges to the United States with respect to submarine warfare,
despite her threat to the contrary.
JAPANESE BATTLESHIPS ENTER CAPE
FLATTERY, IN QUEST OF GERMAN SEA RAIDERS
Ha
SEATTLE, Fel». If.—Three Japanese battleships passed by
Cape Flattery, the entrance to Puget Sound, at an early hour
this morning, in search of German commerce raiders reported
to be operating in north Atlantic waters.
JAP WARSHIPS NEAR HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
HONOLULU, Feb. (>.—Three Japanese warships have ar
rived in the vicinity of the Hawaiian islands, searching for Ger
man commerce raiders.
THRONGS OF PEOPLE CROWD DISTRICT COURTS
TO BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS OF U. S.
WASHINGTON, Feb. (i.—Information from all parts of the
United States is to the effect that throngs of people are rushing
to the federal courts to become naturalized citizens. For the
most part, those seeking naturalization papers are Germans
and Austrians.
BRITISH TROOPS SUCCEED IN ENTERING THE
ADVANCED TRENCHES OF ENEMY IN WEST FRONT
BERLIN, Peb. 6.—(By wirelessdo Sayville)—At midnight
last night the British troops launched a vigorous attack against
the German positions north of the Ancre river, on the French
front, says an official report today. The report admits that
the enemy succeeded in entering advanced German trenches
near the bank of the Ancre river.
DETERMINED EFFORTS BY GERMANS TO STORM
RUSSIAN DEFENSES IN RIGA MEET REPULSE
PETROGRAD, Feb. G.—Determined efforts on the part of
the Germans to storm the Russian defenses in the north front,
near Riga, have so far met with reptilses and a heavy loss of
life to the enemy. Desultory fighting continues today along
the entire north front.
GERMANS RECAPTURE FROM BRITISH BIG
PORTION OF LOST GROUND AT BEAUOOURT
BERLIN, Feb. 6.—According to a German official report
today, the German troops, in counter attacks, recaptured from
the British forces, the greater portion of the trenches east of
Beaucourt, which had recntly been lost to them.
AUSTRIA SENDS A NOTE SIMILAR TO THE
GERMAN MISSIVE ABOUT NAVAL WARFARE
WASHINGTON, Feb. (>.—The United States government
J today received an official note from Austria practically identi
I cal with the German note with respect to the indiscriminate use
jot undersea craft in naval warfare. The answer to the note
will be the giving of passports to the Austrian ambassador to
the United States, who lias just recently arrived to assume his
official duties, his free passage being obtained by the good of
fices of the administration.
NOTHING TO BE DONE WHICH IS NOT
JUSTIFIED BY LAWS OF NATIONS
WASHINGTON, Feb. (>.—While the United States stands
before the world court of public opinion in an anxious waiting
period which will determine peace or war with Germany and
her allies, President Wilson is determined that there shall be
no word or deed to merit reproach, even from the Teutonic
powers. Nothing is to be done which is not justified by the
laws of the nations and humanity. The president is hopeful
that Germany may, at the last moment, modify its declaration
i of unrestricted submarine warfare, but as time passes, this
hope grows more and more remote, until it is now about dissi
pated by news from high official sources in Germany that that
nation will never recede from its position.
UNITED STATES ANXIOUSLY WAITING
FOR REAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SITUATION
WASHINGTON, Feb. fi.—The United States is anxiously
^ waiting today for real developments growing out'of the German
! threat of unrestricted submarine warfare. The five days in
I which neutral vessels were allowed to get out of prohibited
| zones ended at midnight last night. Today, if German inten
sions are carried out, all vessels, no matter what their charac
| ter, plying the waters about Great -Britald, France and Italy,
[except in a very limited area, are subject to instant and un
i warned destruction.
i _
OFFICERS AND CREW OF GERMAN SHIPS
ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPT TO BURN THEM
_
SEATTLE, Feb. fi.—Fourteen officers and crew of the Ger
! man steamship Saxonia and the German ship Steinbek, which
have been interned at Eagle harbor, have been removed from
the vessels and arrested and are to be confined in a federal de
tention camp. The charge against the Germans is that they at
tempted to destroy the vessels by burning them. The fires were
observed in time to prevent the destruction of the vessels,
whereupon the officers and crews were taken into custody.
TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT ARSENALS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. fl.—The immediate protection of
government arsenals by. the installation of anti-aircraft guns
was decided upon yesterday afternoon by the house committee
on military affairs, following a visit to the committee by Sec
retary of War Baker, who suggested the importance of such
action.
WASHINGTON TO THE FRONT.
OLYMPIA, Feb. (5.—The Washington state legislature yes
terday passed a joint resolution tendering the nation the resour
ces of the state of Washington, in the event of war with Ger
many, appended to which was a memorial in favor of compul
sory military sendee.
GERMAN CONSULS READY TO DEPART.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—German Ambassador Bernstorff
and German consuls from all parts of the United States will
sail from New York, en route to Germany. Reservations for
200 people have been made on the Scandinavian liner Frederick
Eighth, which is scheduled to sail for Christiania February 13.
MUCH DAMAGE TO TEUTON SHIPPING.
NEW YORK, Feb. 0.—Thirty million dollars’ worth of
damage has been done to 31 German and Austrian vessels in
New York harbor since the break in diplomatic relations, says
the New York Sun today. In most cases, the damage was in
flicted by the Teuton crews.
DESIRES ALL INFORMATION POSSIBLE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—President Wilson has directed
that all rumors and reports of infringements of American rights
shall be reported to him immediately.
PROHIBITS SALE OF VESSELS.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.—President Wilson today issued
an order prohibiting the sale or lease of any vessel under the
American flag.