ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1917.
PRICE TEN CENTS.
AND COOK INLET PIONEER
VOL. 2. NO. 104.
Zimmermann Note Intercepted Before Reaching von Eckhardt
NATIONAL CAPITAL STIRRED TO
' ITS DEPTHS BY REVELATIONS OF
PLOT AGAINST UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, March 2.—The expose of the German
plot to secure the aid of Mexico and Japan, in the event of hos
4 tilities with the United States, growing out of the indescrimin
ate submarine campaign, has stirred the national capitol to its
very depths. It was the subject of discussion on all hands.
Small groups of men could be seen on the streets, in the hotel
f lobbies, saloons and other public resorts, discussing the affair,
" ' £l eagerly grasping the extras that were hastily gotten out by
the Washington newspapers, telling of developments. In some
quarters, there was harsh criticism of the president for so long
retaining the German plot from the public. On the other hand,
his supporters were demonstrative in asserting that Wilson was
pursuing the sane course and did not wish to inflame the public
4 until thoroughly convinced of the accuracy of the information.
When,he was convinced, much against his will, that the Ger
man government had in contemplation the gigantic plot against
the United States, he laid the facts before the nation.
PLOT REPORT ACCURATE, BUT ALL THE
DETAILS CANNOT BE GIVEN AT THIS TIME
WASHINGTON, rMarch 2.—(Latest)—Ip response to a
resolution passed by the senate today, calling on him to lay be
fore that body all the information with respect to the Zimmer
mann note that in his opinion was compatible with the public
* interest, the president, immediately upon the passage of the res
olution, placed before the senate official information that the
United States is in possession of evidence which establishes the
authenticity of the document disclosing how Germany in
trigued to ally Mexico and Japan with her to war on the United
States. The president transmitted a report from Secretary of
State Lansing to him, stating that evidence has come into the
possession of the United States within the last week which es
tablishes the authenticity of German Foreign Minister Zim
mermann’s instructions to German Minister von Eckhardt, of
Mexico City.
Resident lays secretary of state’s
REPORT TO HIM BEFORE THE SENATE
WASHINGTON, March 2.—In his communication to the
-- senate, the president submitted Secretary of State Lansing’s
report to him, which he said “has my approval.” Lansing’s re
port to the president, in part, says:
”1 have the honor to report that the government is in pos
session of evidence which establishes the fact that the note
(Zimmermann’s note to von Eckhardt) referred to is authentic
and that it is in the possession of the government of the United
States, and that evidence was procured by this government
*, daring the present week. ..It is my opinion that it is incompat
ible with the public interest to send to the senate, at present,
any further information in the possession of the government of
the United States relative to the note mentiofifed in the resolu
tion passed by the senate. ’ ’ ]| j y
* GERMAN INTRIGUE IS AUTHENTIC
SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON, March 2.—In an authorized statement to
day, Secretary of State Lansing declared he did not believe that
Japan had any knowledge of the German plot and he felt con
fident that Mexico would not be a party to any such agreement
with the Teutonic power. Lansing said that so far as the plot
is concerned, ‘ ‘We know that it is in every way true, but we can
not make public all the details with respect to it, for fear of
endangering the lives of our informants. ’ ’
£IMMERMANN NOTE INTERCEPTED AND
DID NOT REACH MEXICO OR JAPAN
WASHINGTON, March 2.—In a subsequent statement, the
state department intimated that the letter of instructions, cent
by Foreign Minister Zimmermann to von Eckhardt, German
FRENCH AND ASSOCIATES TAKE
OVER PLACER HOLDINGS ON BEAR
CREEK AND PLAN BIG DEVELOPMENT
SEATTLE, March 2.—Maj. L. H. French and associates
have raised $100,000 cash for the purchase and development of
placer holdings on Bear creek, on the Kenai peninsula, which
have been taken over from Chas. E. Herron, Paddy Cummins,
Sport Smith and others. It is understood here that Rex Beach,
the novelist, is the president of the company that has taken over
the bifj placer project.
NO SPECIAL WARNING WILL HEREAFTER
BE GIVEN SHIPS BY GERMAN SUBMARINES
_f
BERLIN, March 2.—The German admiralty yesterday is
sued he following announcement: “On March 1 expired the
iinal ] ;od of grace allotted sailing ships in the Atlantic wat
ers. 1 r jm this date, no special warning will be given any boats
by submarines.”
ALLIED TROOPS ARE ABOUT TO
OCCUPY IMPORTANT TOWN AT FRONT
PARIS, March 2.—Hard pressed by the allied forces, the
TJerman forces have been compelled to fall back behind the
town of Bapaume and the occupation of the strongly fortified
and strategical point by the allied troops is imminent, says a
report received from the west front today.
BREMERTON NAVY YARD TO BE
GREATLY ENLARGED AND EXTENDED
BREMERTON, March 2.—The commandant of the Brem
erton navy yard announced today that the navy department has
decided to take an additional 80 acres, adjoining the present
navy yard, so as to permit of extensive improvements and ex
tensions that are planned at Bremerton.
minister to Mexico, never reached Carranza, being intercepted
by American agents, and being thus intercepted, it was never
passed on to Japan, as comprehended in the German plot.
GERMAN CONSULATE AT JUAREZ LOOTED
AND VALUABLE PAPERS TAKEN THEREFROM
JUAREZ, March 2.—The German consulate at Juarez has
been robbed and a number of official papers taken, according to
rumors current in Juarez today. The matter is sought to be
kept a secret, but a leak has occurred. The robbery occurred,
according to common report, one night this week.
SENATE RESOLUTION CALLS ON WILSON
TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ABOUT MATTER
WASHINGTON, March 2.—Senator Lodge, of Massachu
setts, ranking republican leader of the senate committee on for
eign relations, introduced a resolution yesterday afternoon,
calling upon the president to furnish the senate with all infor
mation, compatible with the public interest, regarding the Zim
mermann note to von Eekhardt. The resolution was immedi
ately referred to the foreign relations committee, which forth
with took up the consideration of the matter. After changing
a few words in the resolution and eliminating the provision
asking the president for information as to when and how the in
formation came into his possession, the committee voted to re
port favorably. Senator Hitchcock, on behalf of the committee,
reported the resolution to the senate, with the recommendation
that it do pass. Whereupon, debate on the subject was renewed
in the senate. Chairman Stone, of the foreign relations com
mittee, in urging the passage of the resolution, expressed his
suspicion that the revelations of the German plot in Mexico
came from allied sources and charged that it was given out for
developing a tendency toward belligerency in this country.
Stone asserted that the Zimmermann letters must be obtained
from the executive officials of the United States government
before credence could be given them. He himself was inclined
to the belief that the alleged Zimmermann note is an allied fab
rication, given out for the purpose of affecting public opinion,
or officiftk$|>inion, or both, in the United States. He said he
must see we Zimmermann note himself to be convinced of its
authenticity.
OFFICIAL COUNT SHOWS THAT
DELEGATE RECEIVED PLURALITY
OF THIRTY-ONE OVER SULZER
JUNEAU, March 2.—Notwithstanding the opinion of At
torney-General Grigsby that the Australian ballot system is
mandatory in Alaska and that the election returns from Chog
giung and Nushagak, in the Third division; Utica precinct, in
the Second division, and Bonnafield, in the Fourth division,
were not legal, the canvassing board voted in favor of count
ing all ballots and give a certifieatcwof election to Wiekersham
for delegate; Corrigan for representative in the Second divi
sion and Murray for representative in the Third division.
Governor Strong and Secretary Davidson voted aye and Col
lector of Customs Pugh nay, the latter holding that the legal
opinion of the attorney-general should be accepted by the
board. However, the board voted not to issue certificates of
election until tomorrow, thus pennitting the initiation of in
junction proceedings on the part of the attorney-general. The
official count gives Wiekersham 6,490 and Sulzer 6,459. The
delegate’s plurality is 31 votes.
The throwing out of the returns from Choggiung, Nusha
gak, Utica and Bonnifield would have resulted in the election
of Sulzer for delegate, Holland, democrat, in lieu of Murray,
republican, for representative, in the Third division, and Reed,
republican, in lieu of Corrigan, democrat* for representative
in the Second division. EMPIRE.
ANOTHER REPORT.
JUNEAU, March 2.—The canvassing hoard, by a two to
| one vote, has decided to issue a certificate of election to-Dele
j gate Wickersham. This action was taken after officially can
vassing the returns from Utica and Bristol bay precincts. The
! democrats are holding a caucus today to determine whether or
j not they will take action with respect to restraining the board
| from issuing the certificate of election to the delegate, on the
alleged grounds of illegality. Corrigan defeats Reed in the
Second division and Murray defeats Holland in the Third divi
i sion. Wickersham’s plurality over Sulzer is 2(i votes.
DISPATCH.
ZIMMERMANN HINTS THAT IMPERIAL
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WISH BREACH
AMSTERDAM, March 2.—A dispatch from Berlin today
! quotes Foreign Minister Zimmermann, in the discussion in the
Reichstag yesterday on the question proposed by a member of
re-opening relations between Germany and the United States,
as saying, in part:
“Every speaker here has expressly emphasized that a
breach with America was regrettable, and it will undoubtedly
be still more regrettable IF it comes to war between Germany
and the United States, between whom there are ancient friendly
relations and no political antagonism. Economically, we are
drawn to each other, and should really be economic allies. Thus,
it is comprehensible that the imperial government desires to
endeavor to avoid everything which might intensify a conflict
between Germany and the United States.”
BILL AS PASSED BY HOUSE WOULD
LIMIT POWER OF THE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON, March 2.^-(Latest)—The bill empower
ing the president to arm and man merchant ships of American
registry, but not extending the authority he requested to use
other instrumentalities in defending American rights against
the German submarine menace, passed the house today.
JONES BILL FOR AID OF ALASKA
SCHOOLS IS PASSED BY SENATE
WASHINGTON, March 2.—Senator Jones has obtained
the passage by the senate of his bill granting the legislature of
Alaska authority to use territorial funds for the maintenance
of the public schools. He said today that if the bill failed to
pass the house this session, he would get it through that body
early in the next session of congress. The Alaska prohibition
law as passed by the congress provides an appropriation of
$100,000 for the maintenance of the schools during this year,
but some permanent provision must be made for the future.
The Jones bill is for this purpose.