Anrljaraijp Batin Wixms
AND COOK INLET PIONEER
VOL. 2. NO. 48.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1916.
PRICE TEN CENTS.
BERLIN, Dec. 26.—Germany proposes an immediate meet
ing of the belligerent nations, through accredited delegates, for
the purpose of discussing peace terms. The text of the German
answer to President Wilson’s peace suggestion was transmitted
^to United States Ambassador Gerard today. Accompanying
the German reply are the replies of Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria
and Turkey, which are couched in similar terms.
The German reply is as follows:
“The high-minded suggestion made by the president of
tvHb
er to create a basis for the
establishment of lasting peace ha&Ti>cen received and consid
ered by the imperial German government in the friendly spirit
which was expressed in the president’s communication. The
president points out that which he has at heart and leaves open
the choice of the road to the consummation of peace, and sug
gests to the 4mp|ri^l ^government an immediate exchange o£
views as to what seems to be the most appropriate road in or
der to reach the desired results. The imperial government
begs, therefore, in the sense of its declaration made December
12, which offered a plan for peace negotiations, to propose an
immediate meeting of delegates of the belligerent nations, at a
neutral place. .The imperial government is also of the opinion
that the great work ©f .preventing further wars can be begun
only after the end of the present struggle between the nations
involved. The imperial government will, when this moment
shall have come, be ready with leisure to collaborate with the
United States in this exalted task.
^ The reply is signed by Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg,
X
von behalf of Kaiser Wilhelm and the German empire.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—The German reply to the-pres
ident’s peace suggestion reached the state department this
forenoon. No comment was made.
The spacious Labor Union dance
floor could not accommodate the vast
crowd that attended the opening dance
Saturday night. Not a feature mar
red the pleasure of the evening from
the grand march, led by Captain La
throp and Miss Bouchner, to the
rhythmetic strains of the Home Sweet
Home waltz, played by Miss Redd and
assistants.
The hall was appropriately decor
ated with banners, pennant and a
mass of Christmas coloring. Names
of different towns and camps were
prominently displayed on artistic ban
ners and the mezzazine floor was filled
with gayly dressed spectators.
The committee in charge deserve
great credit for the affair that was so
successfully managed.
With the lodge’s colors of purle and
^vhite predominate, Robarts hall was
jVeautifully decorated for the Elks’
dance Saturday night. One hundred
and twenty-five couples were present
and the dance lasted' until well along
the next morning. Dr. J. T. Wester
mann and Miss McVean lead the
grand march and the beauty and grace
LITTLE FOLKS
E1JOYED TREE:
T
What would Christmas be without
children? With a wild shot of child
ish exuberance the youth of Anchor
age burst into Labor Union hall Sun
day afternoon and the fun was on.
Their laughter*; and enthusiasm was
contagious and their parents and
friends soon became imbued with the
spirit of youth. There was a present
for every child in Anchorage and the
Elks’ second annual Christmas tree
festivities scored another mark for the :
competent committee in charge and!
the members of the order. The child-1
ren were first treated to a sleigh ride
and after reaching the hall the pro-1
gram, prepared by the school child- j
ren, was effectively carried out. Then j
Santa Claus mysteriously appeared I
and made their light young hearts
welcome with some remembrance. The
poor of the town were not forgotten
and the affair will go down in Anchor
age history as being a distinct success.
of Anchorage was represented.
A covered stairway led from the
dance hall to the club rooms, where
club sandwiches, coffee and punch
were served. It was an exceptionally
pleasant social affair.
LAY WAGER AH
AN EARLY ARMISTICE
NEW YORK, Dec. 20.—The British view of President
Wilson’s note suggesting that peace negotiations be entered
into by the belligerent nations is strongly indicated by a mes
sage from Lloyd’s, received in New York today. The message
was in response to an inquiry by Hamilton P’ish as to the
betting odds on an early peace consummation. Lloyd’s replied
that it would lay him odds of 13 to 6 that neither peace nor an
armistice would be declared for six months.
BERLIN, L»ec. 2(i.—(By wireless to Sayville)—General
eon Maekensen’s Teutonic forces are today employed in at
tacking Matchin, at the head of the bridge that spans the Dan
ube river at that point. The Teutonic army is seeking to
'cross the river on the way to its invasion of Moldavia, the last
remaining province of Roumania that is in Roumanian hands.
The bridge is located in the extreme northwestern corner of the
province of Dobrudja. The early fall of Matchin is predicted.
Heavy artillery fire is employed in the attack.
SWITCHMEN’S UNION GIN DEMANDS
GY FEDERAL BOARD OF ARS1A1N
NEW YORK, Dec. 2(i.—The eight-hour day, with straight
pro rata time for all overtime, was granted to the switchmen’s
union by the federal arbitration board, in a decision which was
rendered today in a controversy between the Switchmen’s
union and the railway companies. The award gives an increase
of five cents an hour for both foremen and helpers.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—Presi
dent Wilson will announce the make
up of the non-partisan tariff commis
sion shortly after congress convenes,
after the holiday vacation, next month.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—The net
income of the railroads of the United
States for the year just drawinsr to a
close will exceed one billion dollars.
Two hundred and twenty-five peo
ple saw the best wrestling match yes
terday afternoon at Robarts hall that
was ever pulled off in Alaska. The
excitement was tense and the spec
tators enthusiastic, time and again
cheering some remarkable display of
skill oi the two g'adiators as they
wriggled and squirmed out of an ap
apparently sure hold. It was a splen
did exhibition and Martin won the
match.
On account of Kincaid being indis
posed there were no preliminaries
and the crowd was just as well satis
fied. Bob Peterson won the first fall
in 8 minutes, using the famous Gotch
toe hold. Martin won the next two,
by the head chancery in the hammer
lock and the double Nelson.
The last fall went 13 minutes before
Martin succeeded in pinning Peter
son’s two shoulders to the floor. Pet
erson showed a wonderful skill at the ]
game and time after time slipped out
of his heavier opponent’s powerful
grasp. Peterson weighed in at 162
and Martin topped him 10 pounds.
That the match was to a finish was
apparent to the fans the minute the
two men stepped onto the mat and
there was not one single idle moment. I
Each wrestler had his supporters but
the crowd was fair in its applause and
quickly recognized the many good
points of the game that brought out in
the match.
Jimmie Ross was the official an
nouncer and Nels Jepson, of Fair
banks, acted as referee. Jepson has
challenged the winner and the Martin
Jepson match will be the next event
on the boards..
President Wilson has withdrawn
Rugged island, near the entrance of
Resurrection bay, from entry for
the purpose of using it for a military |
reserve.
PASO, Dec. 2(i.—Witli the city of Torreon reported to
be in his possession and with the city of Chihuahua at his mer
cy, Genera1 Villa and his bandit army practically dominate
the northern part of Mexico. Villa’s victory in northern Mex
ico and conquests in southern Mexico by rebel forces under
Generals Diaz and Robles have practically isolated Mexico
City, the capital of Mexico. The capture of Torreon cuts off
all communication from the north. Orizaba and Puebla are in
the hands of Generals Diaz and Robles, thus blocking the way
from Mexico City to Vera Cruz. The situation of the de facto
government is very precarious, to say the least.
SNIPERS FIRE ON KENTUCKIANS.
EL PASO, Dec. 120.—Mexican snipers fired across the river
upon the Third Kentucky infantry, in camps on the outskirts
of El Paso, yesterday. The Kentuckians replied with machine
guns and are known to have killed one of the snipers.
TROOPS ARE REMEMBERED.
COLUMBUS, Dec. 2(1.—Every man in General Pershing’s
army of invasion was the recipient of a Christmas present, sent
from Columbus.
DRAFTS NEW
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—Con
gi-essman Adamson, of Georgia, fath
er of the 8-hour law, has prepared a
railroad bill, embodying the sugges
tions made by President Wilson, and
has submitted the measure to Attor
ney General Gregory for an opinion as
to its constitutionality. He will await
the decision of the Attorney General
on this point before introducing the
bill in congress. The members of the
house and senate are studying the
railroad situation throughout the
country preparatory to the passage of
the railroad legislation on the admin
istration program.
NEW YORK, Dec. 26.—Les D’Arcy,!
the Australian heavyweight pugilist,'
arrived today from Sydney on an oil,
tanker coming from a Chilean port.
He was met at the dock by Tex Rick
ard, the fight promoter. D’Arcy de
nies the published statement that he j
ducked out of Australia to avoid en-1
listing in the army. i
WILL BE BEGUN
SEATTLE, Dec. 26.—Dorsey Lyon, j
who has been appointed superinten
dent for the federal mining station to |
be established here, arrived today. He j
emphasizes the statement heretofore
made, that one of the prime objects
of the stateion would be extensive re- ;
search work in Southeastern and
Southwestern Alaska.
The proposition for the city of Ju- :
neau to purchose from R. F. Lewis 1
the Juneau water works for $100,000
was turned down recently at a public
meeting in that city.
IS DEDICATED
MACANUSKA, Dec. 26.—The open
ing of the new farmers’ social hall at
Matanuska Saturday night was the oc
casion of a big gathering. Settlers for
many miles around were in attend
ance. Lunch was supplied by the
wives of the settiers and speeches
were made by local orators. Dancing
was the feature of the entertainment,
music being furnished by home talent.
The new hall is a log structure, 25x36
feet, and is located six miles from
Matanuska and three miles from the
nearest point on the main railway line
to the interior. It was erected by the
Matanuska Farmers’ association for
public meetings and social gatherings.
SEATTLE, Dec. 26.—The federal
officers are unable to locate Fredora
Billingsby, against whom a series of
indictments have been returned by the
grand jury, growing out of the illicit
sale of liquors in this city. Logan
Billingsby was arrested in San Fran
:isco and was brought here under
iieavy guard.
ILL BUT ONE
MINDEN, La., Dec. 26.—Joseph,
;he seven-year-old son of Mr. and
Vlrs. John N. Reeves, prominent resi
lents of this place, rose early Christ
nas morning, in search of Christmas
gifts, to find that during the night
?ather, mother and four brothers and
sisters had been murdered. A bloody
ixe revealed the weapon employed in
;he shocking crime. The murderei is
tupposed to have gotten four thous
ind dollars that were concealed in a
;ool chest. The lad raised an alarm
md neighbors flocked to the house.
Officers are in search of the murderei-,
vho is believed to be some one know
ng the habits and financial resources
>f the family.