VOL. 2. NO. 39.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER, 14, 1916.
PRICE TEN CENTS.
GERMAN CHANCELLOR
MS REICHSTAG M
KAISER SEEKS PEACE
j
BERLIN, Dec. 14.—Speaking in the reichstag yesterday
afternoon and discussing the peace proposal made by the cen
tral powers to the allied powers, the imperial chancellor, Dr.
von Bethmann-Hollweg, said in part:
jfc. “In the midst of the most terrific war ever experienced in
m-j history of the world and which has been waging for the
past two and a half years over a"large part of the world; a
catastrophe which a thousand years of common civilization was
unable to prevent, and which injures the most precious achieve
ment of humanity, our strength his not made our ears deaf to
our responsibility before God, before our own nation, and be
T fore* humanity. Declarations maod by the United States con
cerning our readiness for peace ’ofeye evaded by our adversar
ies. Now we have advanced one step further in this direction.
August 1, 1914, our emperor had personally to take the grav
est decision which ever fell to the lot of mortal man—Ger
many’s order for mobilization, wh|ch he was compelled to give
as a result of the Russian mobilization. During these long and
earnest years of war, the emperor has been deeply moved in
this struggle in which Germany and her allies have fought vic
i toriously and nobly. None can testify better to this than I,
who bears the responsibility fn*$N«0tioue of the government,
In a deep moral and religious sense of duty toward this nation '
and beyond it towards humanity, the emperor now considers
that the moment has come for official action toward peace. His
majesty, therefore, in complete harmony and in common with
our allies, decided to propose to the hostile powers to enter
peace negotiations. This morning, I transmitted a note to this
effect to all hostile powers, through representatives of these
powers which are watching over their interests and rights in
hostile states. I asked the representatives of the United
; States, Spain and Switzerland to forward that note to the re
spective hostile nations. The same procedure has been adopt
ed by Vienna, Constantinople and Sofia. Other neutral states,
and His Holiness, the Pope, have been similarly notified.”
The chancellor dealt with the entry of Roumania into the
world war “at a time when the situation was admittedly seri
ous. But with God’s help, the Teuton troops have since shaped
things so as to give us complete security.” He declared that
Vtf- western front now had a larger reserve army than ever
w^bre, that effective precautions had been taken against the
Italians; that the Teuton troops were winning on all fronts, and
that the spectre of famine had disappeared.
NEGOTIATIONS COMPREHEND LASTING PEACE.
BERLIN, Dec. 14.—The propositions which the Teutonic
allies will put forth, if peace negotiations are entered into,
comprehend a lasting peace and a universal disarmament, save
for such troops as may be necessary for initemecine troubles.
Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg is known to be in favor of
such a consummation.
PEACE NOTE SENT TO ALLIES.
BERLIN, Dec. 14.—One after another, Dr. von Bethmann
Hollweg, the imperial chancellor, transmitted to the diplomatic
representatives of the United States, Spain and Switzerland,
the note asking for peace negotiations and !rC(Ju6sted the neu
tral representatives to bring the note to-th$,. attention of the
hostile powers.
TERMS OF PROPOSAL FOR PEACE,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.—Advices from Berlin to the
German embassy in Washington indicate that the Teuton
peace proposal comprehends a status similar to that maintain
ing before the war began, with the exception of the establish
ment of the independent kingdoms of Poland and Lithunia.
The portions of Russia, Belgium and France, now occupied by
1 he Teuton armies, are to be restored in return for the restora
* tion of the German colonies in Africa.
GREAT DEMAND FOR SEATS.
Ct BERLIN, Dec. 14.—There was an intense demand for tick
s of admission to the reichstag yesterday afternoon when it
became known that the imperial chancellor, Dr. von Bethmann
Hollweg, was to discuss the peace proposal and likewise inform
( the reichstag and the public generally what steps the impe
rial government had taken in the matter. Long before the
LONDON, Dec. 14.—An Exchange telegraph dispatch
from Copenhagen today says that advices received there from
Switzerland are to the effect that King Constantine of Greece
has ordered a general mobilization of the Greek army and that
he will enter the world war on the side of the central powers.
hour of opening the reichstag, the seating capacity was filled
to overflowing. Not since the war began was there such a
demand for seats. Soon after the reichstag convened, the tall
form of the German chancellor was observed, entering the
chamber. He talked for half an “hour, wdiile the members and
the vast audience sat in silence and hung on every word. The
chancellor spoke in even, wrell-modulated tones. He made no
attempt at oratory, contenting himself with a plain statement
of facts. When the chancellor had finished, the reichstag ad
journed without debate. '£
NOTE TO THE VATICAN.
BERLIN, Dec. 14.—The note to the Vatican says, in part:
•‘Germany is carrying on a war of defense against her enemies,
which aim at her destruction. She fights for the assurance of
protection of her frontiers, the liberty of the German nation,
and for the right which she claims to develop freely her intel
lectual and economic energies in peaceful competition and on
an equal footing with other nations. All efforts of her enemies
have been unable to shatter the heroic armies of the Teutonic
allies, which protect the frbntiers of their countries, strength
ened by the certainty that the enemy shall never pierce the
iron walls.”
PESSIMISM IN ENGLAND.
LONDON, Dec. 14.—A general note of pessimism over Ger
many’s peace proposal prevails in London. One prominent
official expressed himself is being very skeptical that the pro
posed terms would offer even a basis for peace negotiations.
COMMONS TO ACT TOMORROW.
LONDON, Dec. 14.—The attitude of the British govern
ment toward the Teuton peace proposal will probably be known
tomorrow, when it comes before the house of commons, pro
vided sufficient time shall have elapsed to permit consultation
with the English allies. The announcement of the govern
ment's attitude in the matter is awaited with great interest.
LONDON PAPERS EXPRESS VIEWS.
LONDON, Dec. 14.—Concerning the Teuton proposal for
peace negotiations, The Times today says: ‘‘The proposals
bear no relation to the objects for which we are fighting.” The
Daily Mail says: ‘‘The allies will not be caught in this white
whiskered device.” The Chronicle observes that “The Teu
tons can have peace at any time—on our terms.” The newspa
pers and public men refuse to take Germany’s latest move seri
ously.
MADE MASTER MOVE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.—Neutral members of the diplo
matic corps in Washington say regardless of the acceptance or
rejection of the peace proposal by the allied powers, the Teu
tons have made a master move in the world of politics.
WASHINGTON PESSIMISTIC.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.—It is regarded here in official
circles that it is highly improbable that the entente powers
will consent to enter into proposed peace negotiations with the
central powers.
PRESIDENT IS UNDECIDED.
WASHINTON, Dec. 14.—In the absence of an official prof
fer from the Teutonic powers with respect to the peace propo
sal, President Wilson is undecided as to what course of action
to take in the matter.
TERMS WILL BE REJECTED.
LONDON, Dec. 14.—It is taken as a foregone conclusion
that the proposal for peace negotiations, submitted by the cen
tral powers, will be rejected bythe allied powers.
GREETS PROPOSAL WITH CHORUS OF DERISION.
PARIS, Dec. 12.—The Teuton proposal for peace is greeted
with a chorus of derision by the press of Paris.
HER BRIM OF
FRANCE IS MAKING
CHANGES III CABINET
PARIS, Dee. 14.—Premier Aristide Briand announced to
day that he had completed the reconstruction of his cabinet
and that the list of changes that will be made will be published
in the official journal. The premier expects to make a state
ment of the causes that led up to the reconstruction of the cab
inet in a speech in parliament today.
SHAKE-UP IN THE ARMY.
PARIS, Dec. 14.—The change in the French cabinet will
cause a general shake-up in the French army and it is expected
that widespread results will be brought about in two theatres
of war—the western and Balkan fronts.
TEUTONS STILL MAKE GAINS.
BERLIN, Dec. 14.—(By wireless to Sayville)—The Rus
sian-Roumanian army in Dobrudja is reported today, in a
dispatch from the Roumanian front, to be falling back, under
pressure of the advance of the Teutonic armies. Heavy snows
and cold weather have failed to retard the methodical progress
of the German-Austro-Hungarian-Bulgarian afld Turkish le
gions against the allied armies. The Austro-German center in
eastern Wallacliie has forced a crossing of the Jaltomitza river
and is drawing against the Russian-Roumanian flank on the
Buzeumisilu line.
PEOPLE KILLED IN RIOTS.
AMSTERDAM, Dec. 14.—Sixteen persons were killed and
several wounded in rioting yesterday at Turcoing, when the
Germans began deporting 300 French citizens, according to the
newspapers, Echo and Beige, today.
EL PASO, Dec. 14.—General Arnul
fo Gonzales, governor of the state of
Chihuahua, in Mexico, declares in a
proclamation issued after the re-oc
cupation of the city of Chihuahua by
the de facto troops, that he would
“soon be ready to join the first chief
in bringing about the retirement of
the American punitive expedition.”
TRUE FATHER
SEATTLE, Dec. 14.—J. P. Sherman
will give of his skin to graft on the
neck and arms of his little daughter,;
who was badly burned and disfigured
in a fire that burned the Sherman cab
in two weeks ago, in Which this child
was the only survivor. The infant son
of the Shermans and the little daugh
ter of a neighbor were burned to
death.
SEATTLE, Dec. 14.—Georgia Phil
lips, a despondent woman, committed
suicide at her apartment here last
night. She saturated a towel with
chloroform and placed it over her
face, on top of which she placed a pil
low.
I
BILL TO PASS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.—Despite
the fact that the president intends to
veto the bill, the senate is preparing
for the passage of the measure. Yes
terday an amendment was adopted ex
cluding certain Asiatics, including
Hindus.
SEATTLE, Dec. 14.—An appeal to
the state supreme court has resulted
in'a reversal of the criminal case
i against W. H. Wooldridge, who last
spring was sentenced to serve seven
years in the penitentiary at Walla
Walla, upon conviction on a charge of
rape committed on a mere child, one
of a family of seven children. The
appellate court completely exonerates
Wooldridge, as the case was not re
manded for a new trial. Wooldridge
was the victim of the malice of federal
officials, because of his activities
against them. It is now revealed that
the rape charge was trumped up
against him.
BECAUSE OF YOUTH
GETS LIGHT SENTENCE
SEATTLE, Dec. 14.—Walter Niel
son, charged with stealing $2,600 from
a Seattle bank, while bookkeeper of
the institution, has been sentenced to
serve six months in the state reform
atory. Because of his youth, the judge
modified the sentence to this extent.