VOL. ‘2. NO. 139,
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1917.
PRICE TEN CENTS
GREAT II. S. ARMADA TO SAIL FOR EUROPE
--—1-^ —. '■ ' ... —-LUUJh-USl!-'- ...---- .._■_■»!■---—--— ....
United States Fights Only for Liberty, Says Lloyd-George
BIG AMERICAN ARMADA OF SHIPS
LADEN WITH FOOD SUPPLIES FOR THE
ALLIES, WILSON’S FIRST WAR STEP
* -
WASHINGTON, April 13. -President Wilson has deter
mined upon a colossal campaign to break the German auburn
rine blockade around British and French ports, as the first
physical stroke in the war against Germany and her allies. Due
consideration, however, will be given to the matter of protect
ing the coasts of the I'nited States, to guard against the activ
ities of submarines and sea raiders. The president is likewise
keeping a watchful eye on the Mexican situation. The first
practical step in the war. plans for which are under way by
the administration forces, will be the sending of a great armada
of American merchantmen, laden with foodstuffs, clothing, etc..
to British and French ports. And it is the purpose of the ad
ministration to see tlicit every vessel in the armada reaches its
destination, regardless of any German barred zones. The rner
chantmen will be continually under the protection of American
warships.
ADMIRALS OF BRITISH AND FRENCH
* NAVIES HOLD CONFERENCE WITH DANIELS
WASHINGTON, April Id.—Vice-Admiral Browning, ofj
the British navy and Bear Admiral DeGrasse, of the French
navy, held an extended conference with Secretary of the Navy
Daniels and Admiral Benson yesterday. The subject under dis
cussion was co-operation between the navies of the respective!
^nations, hi the war on Germany, The commanders came to
America on their flagships. They are being treated, with ev
cry courtesy and consideration in tTie national capital. Both j
met President Wilson, who greeted them cordially.
General Neville, commander-in-chief of tin* field forces in
France, and General Scott, cliief-of-stuff of the United States
army, have exchanged telegrams reviewing the military situ :
ation.
CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA ARE STEADILY
SHOWING IMPROVEMENT, SAYS FRANCIS
_
WASHINGTON, April 1 •'>.—United States Ambassador
Francis wires the state department today from Petrograd, de
claring that the conditions in Russia, growing out of the de
thronement of the czar, are daily improving. He says the pm
vismnal government is taking'hold of governmental matters |
in a business like manner anil has the confidence of the masses
of tin* people.
HOUSE TODAY BEGINS CONSIDERATION
OF SEVEN BILLION DOLLAR BOND BILL
WASHINGTON, April l.‘J.—1The house of representatives
today began consideration of the seven billion dollar bond bill,
to raise funds for the conduct of the war against Germany and j
for defensive measures.
> BRAZIL HAS DECIDED TO SEIZE GERMAN
SHIPS IN REPRISAL FOR LOST VESSEIS
KIO I)E JANEIRO, April 13.—Tlu* Brazilian government
has decided to seize all German ships interned in Brazilian
(fbrts, in reprisal for Brazilian vessels sunk by German subma
rines.
f _
GERMAN MINISTER WANTS INFORMATION.
BUENOS AIRES, April 13.—The German minister made
a demand on the government today, requesting an explanation
of the terms of Argentina’s note declaring that the nation sup
ported the position of the United States.
'german conspirators frustrated
IN ATTEMPT TO DESTROY BIG DAM
—
EL PASO, April 13.—An attempt to dynamite the great 1
Elephant butte dam by German plotters was frustrated vester- j
day, by IT. S. troops who had been assigned to guard the big
structure, in anticipations that Germans would seek to wreck it.
The news was received in El Paso by telephone message from
the dam. The message said the plotters had been arrested by
the guard and were being brought here.
»
GREAT REPUBLIC OF THE WEST HAS
NEVER BEEN IN WAR, EXCEPT IN THE
CAUSE OF LIBERTY, SAYS PREMIER
LONDON', April Id. Premier David Lloyd-George was
Hit* guest of honor at the American elnli luncheon in London
' esterday and addressing the guests comprising a notable com
j'any of American and Dritish residents, as well as visiting
Americans, said, in part:
“With the entry of the Dotted States into the world war.
we can see real peace coming. It would have been a tragedy
to mankind not to have America occupying a seat at the pence
table, which right "lie has now won. The Dnited Stales of
America has never been in a war* except for liberty. 'I’his i- the
greatest struggle for liberty on which the Dnited States ha
ever embarked. America’s entrance means something more
than waging an effective war; she will insure a beneficial peace.
It was a had day for the Prussian military autocracy when it
challenged the great republic of the west. The road to viet- ry
is found in the word, “Ships.” America already realizes thi-.
hence President Wilson’s decision to immediately build A,<H><I
vessels and likewise employ those already available in sending
supplies for our needs.
“Dor three years, the British tried every blunder thinka
ble and got into every bunker,” continued the premier, relaps
ing into golf terms, “but a line niblick has made our score, ft
will be worth while for America to study our blunders, so as to
begin where we now are, not where we were three years ago.”
The premier was at his best, and lie shares with Lord Cecil
the honor of being the best public speaker in the British cm
pire. Americans and Englishmen present were wildly enthnsi
astic. The luncheon was a veritable love feast.
HOUSE FAVORS RELIEFCABINS ALONG
, THE TRAILS OF THE INTERIOR REGIONS
•JUNEAU, April Id.—The house bill to enable amending
of the session laws relating to liens on real property and tin*
capital punishment bill have been laid on the table in the
house, subject to call at a later date. Bums objected to an in
definite postponement of the bills and won his point.
The ( numbs bill providing for the erection of relief cabins
along the trails of Alaska met with the opposition of Hess,
Burns and others, and was sent hack to the house committee
for re-drafting, so as to allow the money to be appropriated for
the purpose to be employed in sections of the territory where
most needed, instead of equally dividing it among the four
judicial divisions. The First division, it was pointed out by
the objectors, had little use for relief cabins, while remoter re
gions are badly in need of the relief stations. All members of
the house are in favor of the ultimate passage of the bill, but
oppose its present form.
IN THE SENATE
Honan introduced a new bill providing for the disposition
of the property of deceased persons. (Jaustad introduced a
new bill providing for the establishment of a territorial tax
committee.
A senate committee recommends the passage of the eagle
bounty bill.
The remainder of yesterday was passed by the senate in
a discussion of the Aldrich road and trail bill.
JUNEAU’S NEW MAYOR WANTS TO BE
WHOLE THING IN THE CHANNEL CITY
JUNEAU, April 13.—A bite light is on over the organiza- j
lion of the city council. Emery Valentine, who was elected
mayor at the recent election, assumed office and named him
self as chairman of two of the most important council com
mitttes. He likewise declared the office of chief police vacant
and named a man of his own selection as chief. A majority!
of the councilmen are opposed to Valentine and at a meeting |
last night, they instructed tin* chief of police to retain his of \
lice and take possession of the city jail. The mayor and new j
police chief figure on taking the matter before flic courts. The
council members will today take the question of flic mayor
serving on committees to tin* court for decision, 'flic affair lm>
created a nasty mess in Juneau. There is talk today of having
a bill passed by flic territorial legislature providing for the re
call of mayors and councilmen. If such a bill can be put through
this session, ^recall proceedings will be begun in an effort to
oust Valentine.
PENFIELD EN ROUTE TO PARIS.
GENEVA, April 13.—American Ambassador Penfield de
parted last night, eu route to F’nris. He is returning to the
United Stntes.
BRITISH AND FRENCH FORCES ON
WEST FRONT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE
OPPOSING GERMAN HORDES BEFORE THEM
LO.\|)OX, April Fighting throughout the night in a
licree blizzard, tile British troops this morning captnreil two
mine important positions, occupied by the Hermans, north of
\ itiiy ridge. One thousand yards of trenches south of Farbus
wood region, southeast of Vimy ridge, were also taken by the
British, and a hill southeast of the village of \\ aneourt was
likewise* captured from tin* emny. In the lighting yesterday
• he British captured II lag guns and many prisoner', the niiin
her not being announced. In the sector between < Tossilies and
south ol the Scarpe rive*r, the British are* making satisfactorv
progress against the Hermans, who an* retreating with the ad
vjuiee* e»f the Knglishmen.
FRENCH CAPTURE IMPORTANT POSITIONS
PARIS, April Id. - Last night on a new front below St.
phiontin. be*twe*e*n ( 'entry, (Quincy and Basse, the* French troops
drove* hack the* opposing Hermans to a point semtli of the* west
< rn eelge* of upper < 'entry forest, capturing several important
positions, tlie* French war office* announce*'! today. In the* Cham
[•ague* sector, says the* re*port, the Hermans we*re* e*.je*e*te*d from
their trexie*he*s e*ast of Sapigneml.
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS
TO BE RECRUITED FOR THE U. S. ARMY
WASHINGTON, April 11!.—The war department is today
! preparing instructions for recruiting officers stationed through
out the nation, which comprehend a call for 500,000 volunteers,
to till vacancies in the regular army and existing units in the
national guards. Hermits who have enlisted since the decla
ration of war against Germany and those to he enlisted here
after are to he notified In recruiting officers that they will be
honorably discharged at the close of the war. putting them in
the status of war-time volunteers.
AMERICAN SCHOONER MARGUERITE IS
SUNK BY SUBMARINE; CREW ESCAPES
WASHINGTON, April Id. —The American schooner Mar
guerite was sunk In a German submarine at a point southwest
of Sardinia several day:, ago. The crew, including one Amer
ican passenger, was exposed for 4<i hours in open boats on the
ocean, without food, until they were rescued by a passing
ship.
FAIRBANKS HOLDS DEMONSTRATION,
ORGANIZES ALASKA LOYAL LEAGUE
FAIRBANKS, April Id.—A thousand men and women
marched in a parade,given as a patriotic demonstration,in Fair
banks last night. Following the parade, a monster mass meet
ing was held, at which was formally organized what is termed
the Alaska l.oyal league. Th * league’s work is to encourage
enlistment in the local military forces.
OFFICER FROM FORT SEWARD ARRIVES
AT JUNEAU TO DRILL THE VOLUNTEERS
JUXKAir, April 1 -5.—A I'nited States army officer from
Fort Seward arrived in .Juneau last night to take charge of the
training of officers and men for military service. At least two
eompanies will he formed in .Juneau. Many recruits have sign
ed pledges to service in the nation’s behalf. Drill work will
begin immediately.
NUMEROUS ARRESTS OF GERMANS FOR
INSULTING PRESIDENT AND THE FLAG
WASHINGTON. April Id. Numerous arrests of Germans
throughout the nation for abuse of tin* president and the Amer
ican flag, are reported by the department of justice. In all
eases the department has ordered vigorous prosecutions of the
offenders. A presidential proclamation, issued following the
declaration of war against Germany, makes it a crime to abuse
the president or other high officials of the government or to in
suit the Stars and Stripes.