VOL. 2. NO. 124.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, TUESDAY, MARCH 27,1917.
PRICE TEN CENTS.
STATE
TO THE
Munition wi Shipbuilding Plants Under Adequate Guards
FIVE AMERICAN LIVES LOST IN
+ THE SINKING OF A NORWEGIAN
AND BRITISH SHIP YESTERDAY
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Five American lives were
lost as-a result of yesterday's submarine activities in the bar
red zone, according to advices received by the state department
today from American consular agents. The Norwegian steam
p Wilfred, with two Americans on hoax’d, was sunk, and the
^British steamer Chorley, with three Americans on board, was
destroyed. It appears that the Norwegian vessel was warned
by the German submarine that sank it, but it carried no arma
ment nor any contraband of wax’, and little time was allowed
■pc aboard to leave the vessel. Some were aboai’d when the
tfaftSfvas torpedoed.
76 VESSELS IN A WEEK.
BEliLSIi^, March 27.—Within the past week, says an offi
cial report issued by the German admiralty today, 76 vessels
have been sriink by Teuton submarines, mostly in the barred
zone about wreat Britain. Of these, 25 were steamers, 14 sail
ing ships, amd 35 were trawlers, with a total tonnage of 80,000.
INTERNED GERMAN SAILORS ARE
REMOVED TO FORT IN GEORGIA
A.
PHILADELPHIA, March 27.—By direction of Secretary
of War B»H*r, the.G^rrfw ofidcers and men of German ships
interned in the harbor at Philadelphia were today sent to a
government fort in Georgia, where they will be confined as
prisoners of war, pending a settlement of the trouble between
the United States and Germany. The interned Germans have
fceen a distinct* menace to Philadelphia and it was upon the re
quest of the nu^'or of the city that the Germans were removed.
ALLIES FEROCIOUSLY ATTACK THE
RETREATING GERMANS AT ST. QUENTIN
PARIS, March 27.—The battle in the St. Quentin sector
continues with great fury today. The allied troops are mak
ing slow progress because of the muddy character of the
grounds. Nevertheless, ferocious attacks are being lodged
against the retreating Germans, because of the wanton de
struction of lives and property of civilians in the German re
treat in the Somme sector.
REPUBLICAN LEADER MANN FAVORS
BI-PARTISAN HOUSE ORGANIZATION
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Congressman John R. Mann,
republican floor leader and candidate of that party for the
speakership, today declared that he would withdraw from the
speakership contest if the democrats would agree to a bi-parti
san organization of the house. In the opinion of Congressman
Mann, who has been a strong supporter of the president’s for
eign policy, especially with respect to Germany, this is no time
tojiridulge in political fights on the floor of the house. Poli
tics should be removed and everyone should stand loyally be
hind the accredited representatives of the government. Hold
ing this loyal view, Mr. Mann suggests that th,e two big paidies
get together and form a bi-partisan organization. He is will
ing to let Champ Clark remain as speaker, bii£ in the matter
of committee appointments, he wishes an equal division with
||ie democrats. Mann’s plan would spoil the little game of the
half dozen independents, who think they are going to cut quite
a figure in the house organization.
TOO LATE, SAYS CLARK.
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Speaker Champ Clark and
other democratic leaders in the house of representatives s-ay
they will not consider Republican Floor Leader Mann’s pro
posal for a bi-partisan house organization, unless it is neces
sary to prevent a long deadlock in formally organizing that
body.
INDEPENDENTS WITH DEMOCRATS.
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Congressman Randall, pro
hibUonist* and spokesman for the five indepndeuts who hold
thefplance of power in the house, declares that Mann’s prop
ortion for a bi-partisan organization came too late; that the
democrats have the speakership cinched.
MILITIA REGIMENTS IN EIGHTEEN
STATES OF THE UNION SUMMONED
TO THE AID OF THE WHOLE NATION
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Militia regiments in 18 states
of the union have been summoned to the aid of the federal gov
ernment, growing out of the war crisis. The state troops are
called upon for guard duty in their respective states. The ad
ministration proposes to take every precaution against the
machinations of German spies and conspirators that fill this na
tion at the present time. All of the great manufacturing plants
of the country, most of which have been placed at the disposal
of the government, in case of need, will be fully protected from
destruction at the hands of Teuton plotters. Most of the great
shipbuilding plants of the nation are employed in construction
for the government. It will go hard on any spies or conspira
tors that may hereafter be found. They will have to deal with
the military authorities. The United States government takes
the view that a state of war already exists as between this na
tion and Germany.
GERMANY TO TAKE POSITION THAT
IT HAS NO OFFICIAL KNOWLEDGE OF
FACT THAT STATE OF WAR EXISTS
WASHINGTON, March 27.—The German government
is said to have decided that even though the congress declares
tliJt'a state of war exists as between’the United States and
Germany, it will take the position that the German govern
ment is not officially aware of the fact. This, notwithstand
ing the fact that the administration has made known its posi
tion in the matter, which is that a state of war does exist, and
lias existed since the indiscriminate campaign was inaugur
ated.
TAFT PREDICTS JOINING WITH ALLIES.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 27.—Former President
Taft spoke to a large and enthusiastic audience in Little Rock
last night, in support of the National Red Cross society, of
which he is the executive head. In urging additional mem
bers, the former president declared that he predicted that the
United States would actively enter the war, on the side of the
allies, before the ending of the present year.
U. S. MARINE CORPS WILL BE
RECRUITED TO FULL STRENGTH
WASHINGTON, March 27.—An executive order for the
immediate recruiting of the United States marine corps up to
the full strength of 17,400 is expected to be issued by the presi
dent before the day is done. It is likely that the naval militia
will be called to active service in the various seacoast states,
in the matter of national defense against anticipated subma
rine attacks.
DELEGATE SULZER ISSUES STATEMENT
BEFORE DEPARTING FOR WASHINGTON
JUNEAU, March 27.—Before departing en route to
Washington on the steamer Humboldt last night, Delegate
Sulzer gave out the following statement to the press of Alas
ka;
“I am .leaving to labor for Alaska along the lines set
forth in the platform on which I was elected delegate to con
gress from the territory. ‘Alaska for Alaskans’ in the broad
est application and other things for which I fought are just
as live today as ever. My purpose is to sei*ve the people of
Alaska to the best of my ability and I earnestly hope that
the people will keep me advised from all sections of the ter
ritory. I am the representative of all the people and not the
standard-bearer of any political party. I hope for the co-op
eration of all. I regret that the circumstances force me to
leave before the adjournment of the territorial legislature.”
Delegate Sulzer’s son is ill with scarlet fever. His condi
tion is not considered serious.
GREETED WITH SHOT AND FLEE.
WATERTOWN, Mass., March 27.—Two supposed Ger
man plotters burrowed under a fence to get into the govern
ment arsenal at Watertown last night. The guards greeted
the intruders with a volley of shots, whereupon they speed
ily fled thfe scene.
EIGHT-HOUR DAf IN ALL MINING
OPERATIONS IN ALASKA BECOMES
EFFECTIVE ON FIRST DAY OF MAY
JUNEAU, March 27.—House bill No. 3, which provides
ior an eight-hour day in all underground workings, including
placer, lode and coal mines, and which was referred to Attor
ney-General Grigsby for an opinion as to its constitutionality,
has been declared by the attorney-general as a good bill, that
will stand the tests that may be applied by the courts. The
report of the attorney-general was received by the house late
yesterday afternoon and is a very able brief on the subject. The
bill will be taken up today and will pass without opposition.
The bill will become effective May 1, 1917. The time going to
and from work or for lunch is not included in the eight-hour
work-day.
A public hearing was held last night on the Aldrich com
pensation act, which allows employes to choose their own doc
tors and hospitals. There is much opposition to the bill, es}>e
eially on the part of the large mining companies.
Sutherland introduced a memorial in the senate protesting
against the passage of the Alexander fishing bill.
Iieckman introduced a bill providing for territorial fish
hatcheries and a board of fish commissioners.
The resignation of Senator Sulzer was referred to the sen
ate by the governor, but no action thereon was taken.
Senate bill No. 7, allowing cities to grant franchises to pub
lic service corporations was passed by the senate.
Sutherland took four hours yesterday afternoon in an ef
fort to refute the statements printed in the Juneau Empire that
men in Fairbanks were railroaded to the penitentiary.
GERMAN SUBJECTS HEADING FOR
BRITISH OIL FIELDS IN MEXICO
I'jL PASO, March 27.—German subjects in large numbers
are crossing the border into Mexico and are making their
way toward the British-owned oil fields at Tampico. It is
believed that the purpose of the Germans is to destroy the oil
fields, in an effort to curtain the oil supply of the British,
which would seriously handicap the British navy. The Brit
ish authorities have been advised of the activities of the Ger
mans.
CHIEF BECK1NGHAM, ON WITNESS
STAND, DENIES ACCEPTED MONEY
SEATTLE, March 27.—Chief of Police Beckingham, one
of the defendants in the bootlegging conspiracy case now on
before Judge Neterer, of the federal court, was called by the
defeme late yesterday afternoon. The police official vigorous
ly denied ever having accepted any ntoney from the Billings
leys. He characterized Fred Billingsley’s testimony to tin
contrary as a deliberate, malicious lie.
STRONG OBJECTIONS ARE MADE
AGAINST THE ALDRICH MEASURE
JUNEAU, March 27.—A public meeting lasting five
hours was "held last night, to consider the provisions of the
Aldrich senate hill No. 23, providing that laboring men may
choose their own doctors and hospitals. There was much dis
cussion on the subject, at times the debate getting quite heat
ed. Managers of big local mines were present and stated their
objections, which are based on the grounds that a large num
ber of quack doctors and shyster lawyers would infest a giv
en community, and the workmen would not receive as good at
tention as is now given them. The bill makes no provision for
the care of families of workmen. Under the present system,
the company doctor attends afflicted members of a workman’s
family. It is the opinion of most lawyers and others here
who know whereof they speak that the Aldrich bill is wholly
impracticable.
GENERAL BELL GOES EAST.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.—General J. Franklin Bell,
one of the most experienced officers in the United States army,
who under the Taft administration served as chief-of-staff, re
received orders today to depart immediately for Washington
and assume command of the eastern department of the army.
He has been in command of the western department.