VOL. 2. NO. 114.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1917.
PRICE TEN CENTS.
FORMER AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY
GIVES UNBIASED ACCOUNT OF THE
CONDITIONS MAINTAINING IN EMPIRE
WASHINGTON, March 15.—The first authentic and un
biased report of conditions in the Prussian empire, as a result
of the world war, are available today, through a report made
to Secretary of State Lansing by James W. Gerard, former
United States ambassador to Germany and who has just re
turned from that country. Gerard, by reason of his high offi
cial position as head of the American diplomatic service in
Germany, has had unusual opportunities to become thoroughly
informed, not only by his own personal observation, but by re
ports from American consuls through the empire. It is the
£ opinion of Gerard, as expressed in his report to the secretary of
Aiiate, that Germany can hold out, at least another year in the
wbirid war, but longer than that, he does not think it possible.
He declares that the masses of Germans are enduring hunger
and privations of all kinds; that the conditions are really piti
able, bpt that the people as a whole are loyal'to the fatherland
and ar(? enduring the hardships and trials with a £rim stolid
ness t]hat is characteristic of the German people. He says the
masses are confident that the war will be won by the Teutonic
lowers; that ^hose in authority have drilled this belief into
them, for the purpose of suppressing riots and peace outbreaks.
The Gennans are basing their hopes for victory on the indTs
crimiaate submarine warfare; that if the diver campaign now
being waged is not successful, then the German leaders realize
that their cause will be irrevocably lost. They are basing all
their aopes for success on the submarines. In the opinion ol
Gerart, the diver campaign is not as successful as the Ger
i.mas lud hoped it woto&fcf. % '*.»> * v
Siice the break in diplomatic relations between the United
States tnd Germany, on the initiative of the United States, the
feeling against America daily grows more bitter. He declares
it wouK not surprise him to see Germany declare war against
the Unied States, now that this country has decided to arm
Americai merchantmen. «
GERARD REACHES WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March 15.—James W. Gerard, former U.
S. ambassalor to Germany, reached Washington city last night
and today s in conference with Secretary of State Lansing.
Gerard declines to be interviewed.
SULZER’S ATTORNEYS FILE ANOTHER
BRIEF IN DELEGATE ELECTION FIGHT
JUNEAU, March 15.—A reply brief in the mandamus pro
55 feedings instituted by Charles A. Sulzer, democrat, to com
pel the territorial canvassing board to throw out alleged ille
gal votes and issue a certificate of election to him as delegate to
congress, was filed late yesterday by Winn and Hellenthal, at
* torneys for Sulzer. The brief is intended to combat the argu
ments raised by John ltustgasd, who filed a brief in support of
the claims of Delegate Wickersliam, whom the canvassing
board declared was legally elected. It is not anticipated that
Judge Jennings will render his decision in the election contest
before the end of the week.
FREIGHTER KETCHIKAN SAILS WEDNESDAY
AND ALAMEDA FOLLOWS ON FRIDAY
SEATTLE, March 15.—The Alaska Steamship company,
will dispatch the freighter Ketchikan ta Anchorage next Wed
nesday, to be followed Friday by the passenger steamer Ala
meda. A large number of automobiles will be taken to Anchor
age on the Ketchikan, which will also ha\fe a capacity freight
cargo.
ANOTHER GERMAN GIVEN PASSPORTS.
WASHINGTON, March 15.—American Mihister Reinsch,
stationed at Pekin, today wired the state department to the
effect that the German ambassador to China has been handed
his passports by the Chinese government.
TWENTY VESSELS IN A WEEK.
LONDON, March 15.—Twenty vessels were sunk by Ger
man submarines during the week ending March 11, according
to a statement issued by the admiralty today. The tonnage
was not announced.
*
*
BIDS OPENED FOR FAST CRUISERS.
WASHINGTON, March 15.—The navy department today
opened bids for the construction of six cruisers, to have a speed
of 35 knots an hour. The cruisers are for coast defense pur
poses.
FOLLOWERS OF DELEGATE WICKERSHAM
GAIN VICTORY OVER DEMOCRATS AND
ELECT HUBBARD OF VALDEZ PRESIDENT
JUNEAU, March 15.—The deadlock in the senate, which
has been on since the beginning of the session, was broken yes
terday afternoon, by the election of Senator Hubbard, Wicker
shamite, of Valdez, for president; William Eddy, republican,
of Nome, secretary; Joseph Baxter, democrat, of Juneau, for
sergeant-at-arms, and John S. Hecky, Wiekershamite, of Val
dez, messenger. The success of the Wickershamites came
about through a switch of Senator Sundbeck, republican, of
Nome, who had heretofore been voting with the democrats—
Sulzer, Ron an and Aldrich. From the time the senate con
vened in the forenoon until the deadlock was broken late in
the afternoon, compromise after compromise was suggested,
but each in turn failed on a tie vote. The democratic candidate
for president, Aldrich, could have been elected through a com
promise oered by Hubbard, but his dignity was ruffled when
placed in the same class as messjenger or watchman. Hub
bard’s compromise offered the democrats and Sundbeck their
choice of two groups of offices, oni group comprising the pres
idency, sergeant-at-arms, assistant clerk, and enrolling clerk,
and the other group consisting of the secretaryship, messenger,
enrolling clerk and watchman. Aldrich opposed this compro
mise, on the principle that it lowered the dignity of the pres
idency to place it on a par with a messenger and a watchman.
Ronan offered a resolution giving each senator the privilege of
naming an officer and drawing lots for choice. The resolution
was defeated on a tie vote. Hubbard offered a resolution giv
ng the presidency to Aldrich, with Maltby as secretary, Eddy
A ♦Jjfgeant-at-arms and Heckey ‘hisessenger. This proposed
compromise was also turned down on a tie vote. A resolution
by Gausted, turned down by a previous ballot, was again
brought up by him, when suddenly Sundbeck, of Nome, asked
for a roll call on the election of a president. The vote showed
—for Hubbard, Heckman, Sundbeck, Sutherland, Gausted and
Hubbard; for Aldrich—Ronan, Sulzer and Aldrich. Where
upon, temporary President Heckman declared the election of
TIubbard as permanent president. Upon assuming the chair,
Hubbard said that the ordinary remarks going with the ac
ceptance of a position of this kind were oi^: of order, because
of the extraordinary nature of the deadlock. He contented
himself by saying that he hoped to administer the presidency
fairly and impartially. Then followed the election of the re
maining officers.
Forty-five tie ballots were taken during the ten-day dead
lock and 23 roll-calls on the elction of a president.
Following the organization of the senate, the following mi
nor offices were filled: Grant Johnson, assistant secretary; Cath
erine McLaughlin, engrossing clerk; Klondike Olds, enrolling
clerk; F. Ingersoll and Gertrude Heid, stenographers; Rev. uuy
Christian, chaplain.
A committee was named to notify the governor and the
house that the senate was organized and ready to receive any
communications.
The senate suspended the miles and unanimously passed
the house concurrent resolution for memorial services in re
spect to the memory of Representative John G. Heid, to be
held March 24.
Senator Sulzer introduced a resolution asking the federal
government to establish a naval base at some point on the Alas
kan coast to guard against foreign attacks. The resolution
passed without oppositon.
Sulzer also introduced^ resolution cutting down the com
mittees from 13 to seven. The resolution was referred to the
committee on rules.
IN THE LOWER HOUSE.
JUNEAU, March 15.—House bill No. 4, introduced by Rep
resentative Snow, of Ruby, provides for a territorial appropri
ation of 50 per cent of the cost of maintaining public schools in
municipalities in Alaska. The bill comprehends that the re
spective municipalities shall provide the remaining 50 per cent.
The bul is looked upon with favor by many members of the
legislature as the best means of guarding against extrava
gance. Under the law, if passed, the territory would give a
dollar every time the municipality gave a dollar. The bill was
referred to the committee on education.
Representative Casey introduced a bill providing for the
maintenance of schools in towns of the first class in Alaska.
Referred to committee on education.
Representative Day introduced a bill providing fr the tax
ation of real estate and other property in Alaska.
Representative Burns introduced two bills—one amending
the code and the other relating to finding of facts by the court.
Representative McCormick of Wrangell was excused until
Monday, due to the death of his infant son.
Ther house adjourned until 10 o’clock today.
BAPAUME, GERMAN STRONGHOLD ON
THE SOMME FRONT, LIES AT MERCY
OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN FRANCE
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE, March 15.—
Wednesday Ridge, overlooking Baupauine from the northwest,
Avhich has come to be considered by the British as a sort of
promised land ever since the battle of the Somme began last
'Yuly, passed into General Haig’s hands yesterday. For the
first time since the great struggle on this front the British, by
the capture of Wednesday Ridge, have the advantage of the
highest ground and can now look down upon the famous Ger
man stronghold at Baupaume and a wide extent of country
beyond. British officials believe that they are now in a posi
tion to take Baupaume whenever the word is given. Wednes
day Ridge was taken after a desperate straggle with the Ger
man occupants, but the enemy was compelled to flee before
a withering fire of the British forces. The capture of this
strategical ridge is the greatest achievement made by the Brit
ish on the Somme front.
TURKS ON CAUCASIAN FRONT FLEEING
BEFORE ADVANCING RUSSIAN FORCES
PETROGRAI), March 15.—On the Caucasian front, says
an official Russian report today, the Turkish troops are in full
retreat before the advancing Russian forces. The Turks de
cline to remain at any given point and give battle, and the only
! fighting is in rear guard skirmishes. The pursuing Russians, it
is believed, will sooit force the Turks to make a stand, when a
decisive battle will be fought.
BRITISH STEADILY ADVANCING.
LONDON, March 15.—The British forces under General
Maude have advanced to a point 110 miles above Bagdad, in pur
suit of the fleeing Turkish forces, says an official report today.
EVIDENCE AGAINST GHJrPH.ES UP,
AS GOVERNMENT PRESENTS CASE
SEATTLE, March 15.—Police Secretary Sullivan took the
witness stand late yesterday afternoon and testified that he had
personally told Mayor Gill of the subpoena for all the Bil
lingsley papers. He informed the mayor of the subpoena Aug
ust 30, but after that date the mayor permitted Logan Billings
ley to carry all the papers away. The government introduced
evidence showing that the Billingsleys were never arrested af
ter the date of the alleged payment of a bribe to Mayor Gill,
although Sergeant Putnam of the dry squad frequently inform
ed the mayor that the Billingsleys were still bootlegging.
Today, John Pielow, a transfer man and a self-confessed
bootlegger who worked with the Billingsleys, testifying for the
government, swore that lie saw Fred Billingsley give Chief of
Police Beckingham $600. for 60 cases of liquor that were per
mitted to go through for the Billingsleys and Margett, another
bootlegger. The money was paid in his presence, Pielow said,
and he transferred the liquor to the respective places.
PRESIDENT AMAZED THAT BROTHERHOODS
SHOULD CONSIDER STRIKE AT THIS TIME
WASHINGTON, March 15.—President Wilson made no
secret of his amazement that the four great railway brother
hoods would even consider ar'strike in this critical period of the
nation’s history. He is awaiting the outcome of the conference
between the railway managers and the employees’ representa
tives, taking place in New York today, with the greatest con
cern.
ALASKA POSTMASTER APPOINTMENTS.
WASHINGTON, March 15.—Alaska postmasters appoint
ed today are: Alanzo C. Doty, of Tyee, for a newly created of
fice named Baranoff; William C. Freeburn, Chicagoff; Max Si
mel, Cripple; G. H. Jemigan, Dolomi; Emrys B. Morgan, King
Cove, and Conrad Freeding, at Taylor. (Note—It will be re
called that'Freeding lost his life on the trail, but it is presumed
that the postoffied*department had no knowledge of the fact.)
WOULDBE ASSASSIN IDENTIFIED.
OLYMPIA, March 14.—The man who attempted to as
sassinate Governor Lister is named Clias. Wagner, although he
says he sometimes goes by the name of Charles Lorenz. He
says he is lately from Milwaukee. He recently worked at
Bordeaux, in this state, with John Mandell, the slayer of Com
missioner Olson. He is thought to be demented.