After Nearly Century and a Half,
United States Seems Likely to Of
ficialy Designate “Star Spangled
Banner.”
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 14.—
After nearly a century and a hall of
delay the United States seems about
to acquire a national anthem.
“The Star Spangler Banner,” would
be adopted as the officially recognized ;
hymn of the republic under a resolu
tion by Representative McFadden of
Pennsylvania, now pending in the ;
House. Little, if any, opposition is
expected.
Army and navy regulations long j
have designated the “Star Spangled |
Banner” as the official anthem and j
provide that officers and men shall
stand at attention while it is being
played or sung, but the country at
large had been left to its own tastes
in the matter of selecting an appro
priate hymn for patriotic occassions.
't hus “The Star Spangled Banner” has
been widely accepted by the American
public as the representative hymn of
the nation and patriotic societies for
many years have been agitating for
its official adoption.
Every land has a national anthem
identified inseparably with its life. The
sonorous strains of the Marsellaise
breathe the indomitable spirit, the
acnievemnts and the aspirations of
France. While going down in vessels
England’s sons have sung “God Save
The King” or “Rule Brittania,” and
even the iron hand of Germany in R ■!
gium has been unable to silence entire
ly the melody of “Brabanconne.” Ital
ians sing Garibaldi’s hymn, while the
Irish and Scotch has a veritable treas
ure trove of stirring war songs.
Attempts to find a suitable national
air for the United States has not been
few. Hunderd, perhaps thousands, of
melodies have been written in an ef
fort to meet the demand. Yet, the in
spired lines written by Francis Scott
Key. as while a prisoner on board a
British frigate, he watched the unsuc
cessful bombardment of Fort McHen
ry, near Baltimore, in 1814, are wide
ly regarded as nearer than anyother
to meeting the appeal.
“America” has a powerful hold on
the people of this country, hut it is
considered by many unsuitable for of
ficial recognition because its melody
is identical with that of England’s
“God Save the King.” “Yankee
Doodle,” although sung through all
the nation’s wars, is thought too light,
and in the south, at least, is unfor
tunately believed to carry a note of
sectionalism.
The majestic “Battle Hymn of the
Republic,” musicians claim, falls short
of tne standard, while “The Red,
YUhite and Blue,” “Rally Round the
Flag” and others also are said to be
• , 1
unsuitable. “Dixie,” although carrying
a powerful emotional apeal is acknow
ledged to be peculiarly the song of the
The music of the “Star Spangled :
Banner” has been adversely criticised
because its wide range makes its sing- j
ing difficult for the average crowd.
Yet, its appeal has increased through i
a century to the point where it would
be difficult to displace it in the affec-i
lions of the American people. The
words, written under the stress of
strong patriotic emotion, express sen
timents that are the bulkwark of the
nation’s pride.
Key, just before he wrote “The Star
Spangled Banner,” had been appointed
an ernmisary from the town of Marl
borough in Maryland to the British i
commander to procure the release of a
captured Marlborough physician. His;
mission was successful, but Key was I
detained a few days until the enemy j
could launch the attack on Baltimore.
From the deck of the British vessel,
he watched shot and shell rain on the
rampants of Fort McHenry through
the day and night, and in the poem he
expresses his elation when he saw
the flag still waving at dawn.
An effective musical vehicle for the!
poem was found in the jovial old Brit-1
ish song, “Anacreon in Heaven,” the
authorship of which was is in ccn
Iroversy. l)r. Samuel Arnold popular
ly is believed to have composed “Ana
creon," and the resolution now before
congress provides that the music as
written by him shall be used. Ana
creon, to whom the song was inscrib
ed, has been characterized as one of
Grece’s most brilliant, but bibulous
Lyric poets. His statute, erected in
Athens after his death, represented
him in a state of vinous hilarity.
If Director General McAdoo Consents
Over Billion Dollars Will Be Em
ployed in Betterments and Improve
ments.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ May 14.—
To replenish their depleted rolling
stock and replace their vvornout and
rusted tracks, American railroads
probably will soon begin to spend over
one billion dollars—if Director Gen
eral McAdoo gives his consent.
As Uncle Sam is the guarantor of
the dividends given the stockholders,
he also wants to supervise all ex
penditures.
For that reason McAdoo has named
various committee. One is headed by
C. It. Gray, director of transportation.
It is his job. among others, to ligure
the amount of equipment the roads
will need.
John Skelton Williams, comptroller
of the currency, is director of finance
and purchases under McAdoo. He in
turn has under him a central advisory
purchasing committee of big railroad
men, and they in turn have under
them regional committees which sup
erintend purchases for their section
of the United States.
After Gray's committee decides the
number of cars, engines, etc., needed.
Williams and his committees go into
the market and secure them at the
lowest and best prices.
Under competition and private own
ership there have been all kinds of
sizes, weights and shapes of cats aim
enginers, as each road demanded its
own specifications. This struck
McAdoo and his aides as foolishness.
Standardization—something pecul
iarly American—should be applied to
engines, cars and rails, they decided,
to permit quicker and more economi
cal production. And, so far as cars for
freight purposes are concerned, the
tiling is an accomplished fact. There
are seven types, and, significantly, the
blue-print for each is labeled “U. S.
Standard Care.”
The trucks for these cars have also
been standardized.
Standardization o!" engines is more
complex. It is probable there will be
several types for each kind of engine.
French Believe That Diver Menace
Has Been Brought Under Control
But Germans Insist It Is Effect
ive.
PARIS, May 13.—The effectiveness
of the German submarine is declining,
until now it is considered that the
menace has been brought under con
trol, according to French reports. The
Germans are aware of this fact, al
though the Teuton government is
making every effort to conceal it.
Minister of Martine Georges Ley
gues told the naval committee of the
French house of deputies, when he ap
peared before the committee Saturday,
that the diver question was about
solved and that the entire situation
was most favorable. The sinkings of
submarines by the allied navies dur
ing the first three months of this year
has been far greater than the number
built by the enemy during the same
period, said Leygues.
SOME U. S. STRATEGISTS WANT AMERICAN TROOPS
EMPLOYED AS FAST AS THEY ARRIVE ON FRENCH
SOIL, WHILE OTHERS BELIEVE IT WOULD BE
BEST TO WAIT UNTIL ARMY ORGANIZED.
SUMMARY—The assurance of the ability of the allied
forces to stem the German tide, grows stronger each day, due
primarily to the delay on the part of the enemy forces to renew
the big offensive, which started March 21. During the lull
in the fighting, the allied armies are strengthening their posi
tions and are bring up to their aid strong forces of reserves and
vast quantities of munitions and supplies, in the expectation
that the Germans will soon again take up the offensive. It
now seems certain that General Foch, commander-in-chief of
the allied forces, on the west front, will not take the initiative,
for some time at least. He is playing a waiting game, prefer
ring a defensive rather than an offensive move.
Washington has no official information concerning the re
port of the decision of the allied powers not to employ the Am
erican army until it has reached such numbers as to make a
formidable army itself. Some American strategists contend
for the using of the American forces as soon as they arrive in
France, in conjunction with a continuous counter offensive
against the enemy, in the hope of ending the world war this
year. Others appear to be in favor of using the American!
forces but little until such time as they are fully organized
into a big lighting force, and then striking a mighty blow, in
unison with the French-and British forces, in an effort to smash j
the German lines and thus bring about a definite decision.
AUSTRIAN ATTACK REPULSED.
ROME, May 13.—An Italian official report today says that
the Austrian-Hungarian forces yesterday lodged an attack on!
<lic Italian positions on Monte ('orno, and that the attack was I
repulsed with heavy losses, especially to the Hungarian troops.
Monte (‘orno was captured from the enemy one day last week.
TEUTON ARTILLERY IS ACTIVE.
I.OXDOX. May 13.—Teuton artillery was active* during
the night in the Somme valley and also in Xieppe forest, ou
the Flanders front, says a British report today.
BOTH SIDES BUSY IN PICARDY SECTOR.
PARIS May 13.—Both side's are actively emiploying their!
artillery on tin* Avre riven*, in the Picardy sector, says a French
official report today.
AMERICAN BATTERIES DO EFFECTIVE WORK IN BOM
BARDING ENEMY POSITIONS, SHELLS CAUSING
FIRES IN VILLAGES OCCUPIED BY ENEMY—GER-1
MANS FIRE ON OWN TOWN.
WITH THE AM EH I (’AX ABM Y IX FRANCE. May 11.—
American infantry aided a sneeessful Ereneli raid on tin* Her
man positions in Apremont forest, northwest of Toni, last
night. American artillery participated, putting- down a heavy
barrage tire, under cover of which a substantial advance was I
made by the Krench-Ameriean forces. The attacking forces i
were showered for two hours bv Herman gas shells, but pressed
on toward their goal.
HAIG REPORTS LOCAL FIGHTING.
LONDON. May 11.—General Haig today reports local
lighting in Aveluye wood, north of Albert, and hostile artillery
lire in the Yimy and Robecq sectors and south of Dickebuch.
GERMANS CLAIM CAPTURE OF PRISONERS.
BERLIN, May 11.—A Herman official report today says
;hut in local attacks southwest of Ypres yesterday, the Herman
u ops captured fiTo enemy prisoners. The Hermans took by
storm enemy fortified positions along a front of over a mile.
U. S. BATTERIES DO EFFECTIVE WORK.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IX FRANCE, May 11.—
American batteries heavily bombarded the opposing enemy
lines last night, the shells causing fires in the villages of Can
tigny, Mes.nil and St. George, west of Montdidier, which are
held by the Germans. An American outpost caught a German
trench dog carrying a pouch containing a message that the
Herman retUiatory fire was falling short, and that many Ger
man shells wore landing in Cantigny.
FRENCH MAKE SLIGHT ADVANCE.
PARIS, May 11.—The French line was advanced slightly
east of Lore, according to an official communique this morn
ing. Stubborn resistance was offered by the enemy, but the
French beat down all opposition and gained their objective.
BRITISH RECAPTURE LOST TRENCH.
LONDON, May 10.—1The British recaptured a small por
tion of a front-line tren< h, northwest of Albert, which the Her
mans took in yesterday’s fighting, says an official report today.
FRENCH CAPTURE GRIVESNES PARK.
PARIS. May 10.—The French forces yesterday captured
Grivesnes Park, five miles northwest of Montdidier, from the
Germans, says a French official report today.
PAY HIGH
TRUE TO
AMERICANS
London Newspapers Make Flattering
Comments on United States Troops
Who Participated in the London
Parade.
LONDON, May 13.—Sunday morn
ing newspapers of London make a
feature of the “American Invasion of!
London,” as they term Saturday’s
parade of United States troops. Crit
ical experts praise in high terms the
fine bearing of the American national
army men.
One writer says they have the “cut!
of an infernally adequate lot of fight
ers, and would rather lead, than j
tackle them.” The Telegraph says,
“they are the equal in physique and
morale to the finest troops raised by
any country, at a time when the stand
ard of Eurpoean man-power stood at
its highest point.”
Premier Lloyd-George stood in
front of the war office when the troops
passed in review and lead in the dem
onstartions that followed. The pre
mier’s face was wreathed in happy
smiles, as he lifted his hat and shouted
“Hurrah for the Americans!”
ERNEST PODBOYS
FUNERAL YESTERDAY
The funeral of Ernest Podboy who
was accidentally killed last Wednes
day night as the lesult of an automo
bile accident on the C street road was i
held yesterday afternoon from the
Pioneers hall and in point of number
of persons in attendance was the larg
est funeral ever held in Anchorage.
Services were held at 2 o’clock in
the Tioneer hall. The funeral sermon
was delivered by Rev. C. M. Brown,
pastor of the local Presbyterian
church.
About ICO members of Igloo No. 15
were in attendance at the hall and
marched in the funeral procession to
the grave where the regular Pioneer
service was held. About fifty members
of the Women’s Auxiliary also attend
ed. In the procession were twentv-two
automobiles furnished by the various
owners of machines in Anchorage. The
funeral arrangements were under the
direction of D. H. Williams.
German Soldiers Captured in Recent
Drive Say That Commander-in
Chief of Teuton Troops Has Passed
Beyond.
LONDON, May 13.—All German
prisoners captured in recent fighting'
on the west front unite in declaring
that General von Hindenburg, com
mander-in-chief of the German field
forces, is dead. They say that Hin
denburg died just before General von:
Mackensen was brought into promin- j
ence as that of the great commander |
who will bring the German armies to
victory.
The London newspapers assert that
the story of Hindenburg’s death is be
ing circulated religiously by Teuton
troops, in an effort to explain the col
lapse of the big offensive.
TO DISCONTINUE
HIS EXPEDITION
NEW YORK, May 13.—The Explor
ers’ club of New York city, today re
ceived a dispatch from Explorer Stef
ansson, who is at Fort Yukon, saying
that due to illness, he will be unable to
continue further his exploration work
in Arctic regions.
Stefansson is ill with pneumonia. If
he recovers, he will depart for the
states.
Gutzon Borglum, Sculptor, Whose
Charges Led to Aircraft Inquiry
Concerned in New Producing Cor
poration.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 11.—
Official documents reveal the fact that
Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor, whose
charges against the war aircraft pro
gram led to the impending investiga
tion in the senate, is connected
with negotiations for the establish
ment of a new aircraft producing cor
poration, in which he is a silent
partner.
The revelations have caused con
sternation, because they impugne the
motives of Borglum, who sought a
finger in the financial pie, and tend to
discredit his sincerity in demanding
an inquiry.
Scurrilous Frame-Up, Says Borglum.
NEW YORK, May 11.—Gutson
Borglum today characterized as a
scurrilous frame-up, the charges that
he is connected with a private air
craft production corporation.
President Issues Proclamation Nam
ing “Memorial Day” as Day of
Humiliation and Asks National Ob
servance.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 13.—
President Wilson today issued a pro
clamation setting apart May 30,
“Memorial Day,” as a day of public
humiliation, prayer and fasting. Ha
requests the people of the entire na
tion to gather on that day at their
usual places of worship and offer
prayers for victory of the American
iorces now fighting on the French
front, to the end that permanent
peace, founded on the high principles
of mercy, justice and good wall toward
all may be established on the earth.
CONFiRMSREPORT
OF CZAR’S REMOVAL
LONDON, May 13.—A dispatch
from Petrograd this morning says the
Soviet government confirms the news
papers report to the effect that form
er Czar Nicholas of Russia, hi:; v.df-'
and daughter have been removed from
Tobolsk to Eskaterinburg, as a l’esult
of the discovery of a plot on the part
of peasants to assist in their escape.
The czar and his family are confined
in a small house, with one or two at
tendants. No strangers are allowed
to approach him.
M’ADOO CUTS DOWN
TRAIN SCHEDULES
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 13.—
Secretary of the Treasurer McAdoo, in
his capacity as director general of the
railways of the nation, today issued
an order for the curtailment of trans
continental passenger traffic from
Chicago west, to save eleven milllion,
seven hundred thousand train miles
yearly. The saving will be made by
eliminating competition among rail
way lines and cutting down of train
schedules.
blooey: blooey:
What would you do if you could
act as The Kaiser’s cook
” ” waiter
” ” bartender
” ” butcher
” ” baker
» ” grocer
” ” doctor
” ” barber
For about 24 hours ?