1 ^ - •
The Cordi wa Daily Times
Member of Associated Press—Day and Night Telegraphic Service
Y(jL in ~ NO. 257. CORDOVA, ALASKA, FKIDA \, MAY 17, D18. _PRICE TEN CENTS
ITALIANS BEGIN OFFENSIVE ON AUSTRIAN FORCES
NEXT BATTLE LIKELY TO BE CRUCIAL TEST FOR THE TEUTONS
AUSTRIAN TRENCHES ARE
ENTERED BY THE ITALIANS
The summary of war conditions issued by the Associated
Press last night is as follows:
“Among the rugged peaks of the Asiago plateau, the Ital
ian front again has flamed into action. • The aggressive, how
ever, has this time been taken by the Italians, and the Austro
German forces, instead of launching the long-expected assault
on the Italian lines, has been compelled to fight hard to main
tain the positions which they have held since last November.
“The fact that the Italian armies have taken the initiative
seems to indicate that they sought to carry the fight to the
enemy in such a way as to break up any arrangements for
launching a strong Teutonic assault. This move has had many
precedents in war, a strong offensive at threatened points being
considered the best defense under certain circumstances.”
“Push” Expected to Be of Great Magnitude
WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE, May 17.—
The allies are waiting for Von Hindenberg to show his hand.
Despite the magnificent weather, the fronts are quiet. The
enemy may strike at any time, however, and it is believed that
the next. German “push” will be of great magnitude and fierce,
ness. It is generally believed that the next battle may be the
crucial test for’the Germans, who will undoubtedly attempt to
smash through the allied lines.
British military experts say that if the Germans cannot
break through in the next offensive it will be the beginning of
the end for the Teutons. It is felt that with America’s grow
ing man power the allies will soon be able to resume the of
fan oi xra
Haig Has Nothing Important to Report
LONDON, May 17.—General Haig reported yesterday that
beyond artillery activity on both sides, particularly on the battle
, front north of the river Lys, there was nothing of importance
to communicate.
American Artillery Busy
WIT 11 THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, May 17.—
American batteries were responsible for starting several fires
behind the German lines and in Montdidier last night. Ameri
can heavy artillery continually battered the enemy communi
cations.
Italians Take the Offensive
ROME, MAY 17.—The Italians carried out an offensive
operation yesterday in which the Austrian trenches at Monte
Asolo lie and on the Brenta and Piave rivers were entered at
two points. The Italians inflicted heavy casualties and took
many prisoners.
Austrians Report Bitter Fighting
\ IENNA, May 17.—The official statement issued last
night stated that bitter lighting was in progress between the
Brenta and Piave rivers, on the Italian front.
Artillery Battle on the Somme
PARIS, Max 17. \ iolent artillery fighting is in progress
near Hailles, southeast of Amiens.
WASHINGTON, May 17.—George
Creel of the United States bureau of
public information, has written the
chairman of the committee on rules
of the house of representatives saying
that he had no intention of reflecting
on congress in his much-discussed re
cent New York speech, in which he
was quoted as saying that inasmuch
as he “didn’t enjoy slumming, he
wouldn’t explore the hearts of the
congressmen.”
Mr. Creel apologized to congress for
the speech, and admitted that he had
committed an indiscretion and regret
ted it deeply.
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NOTICE
'
All those interested in the forma
tion of a baseball team are requested
to meet at 7 o’clock tonight on the
baseball grounds.
VERNE ELLIOTT.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 17.—An
aerial postal service is to be estab
lished in California immediately, it
was announced by Postmaster Fay yes
terday. Mail will be carried to dis
tances up to a thousand miles be
tween the military camps. first
only important military mail will be
handled.
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GERMANY OFFERS BAIT
TO SOVIET GOVERNMENT
WASHINGTON, May 17.—A Mos
cow dispatch received yesterday by
the state department says that Ger
many has assured the Russian Soviet
government that the German army
will advance no farther into Russian
territory.
\
PERFECT PLANS
11
The committee in charge of the Red
Cross war drive is planning on an ac- j
tive campaign for the purpose of rais- j
ing funds to carry on the work of this
worthy organization. Cordova's quota
has been fixed at $2,500 by the North
west division. Manager Davies’ wire
to Malcolm Brock is as follows:
“Committee thinks Cordova should,
have no trouble raising $2,600, be '
cause Cordova and Ketchikan are the
two most prosperous towns in Alaska.”
The Copper River railway and the
Alaska Steamship Company come for
ward with the first contribution. It'
is $200, and they are willing to give
$300 more if Cordova can raise an
equal percentage over its quota.
A general canvass of the town wil
be made for funds, and the executive
committee which has this work it
charge will meet Sunday afternoon
at 3 o'clock to perfect its plan of ac
tion.
The Northwest division, which" in
cludes Cordova Chapter, has asked
that next Monday, the first day of the
drive, be set aside as Mercy Day, and
asks every employe who has not
otherwise contributed to give one
day’s wages to the cause. As this
will likely be the last call this yea*
from the national organisation for
funds, everybody should be willing to
do his or her part.
All of next week will be devoted to
Red Cross work, and upon the arrival
ot the steamship Alameda Mr. Rogers
will be here from Seattle and will ex
plain to our people the urgent neces
sity of a liberal contribution of funds
at this time. The ladies of the chap
ter will also conduct a food sale, and
on Tuesday evening there will he a
jitney dance at Eagles’ hall, the music
for which will be furnished by an or
chestra of ten pieces. As a climax to
the drive, on Monday, May 27, a big
vaudeville show will be staged at the
Empress theater. The program will
include some exceptionally good num
bers, and a crowded house will un
| doubtedly greet the local performers.
AT KIEL BASE
LONDON, May 17.—The entire Ger
man Baltic fleet, with the exception
of a few small cruisers, has been re
called to Kiel, where important naval
forces are being concentrated.
MORE
--«
SHIP IS SUNK
WASHINGTON, May 17.—The navy
department announced yesterday the
torpedoing of the American steamship
Neches, a cargo carrier of seven thou
sand tons, on the night of May 14,
without loss of life.
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Go to the American Bakery for cof
fee and.
WASHINGTON, May 17.—President
Wilson’s attitude of opposition to the
Chamberlain resolution, which Mr.
Wilson considers would authorize a
general investigation into the conduct
of the war, has prevailed in the sen
ate, where the leaders on both sides
have agreed not to bring the resolu
tion up until Monday.
Meanwhile it is considered likely
that a compromise measure will be
framed.
President Wilson has authorized his
secretary, Mr. Tumulty, to deny that
he (President Wilson) was opposed to
the aircraft investigation by the sen
ate military committee.
The President is opposed to the
oovert purpose of the Chamberlain
resolution, because he knows what
that purpose is, he says.
--a_
DUTCH VESSEL
WASHINGTON, May 17.—’The navy
department announces that the steam
ship Zaanland, one of the Dutch ves
eels recently requisitioned by tht
United States, was sunk in collisior
at sea on May 13. All on board the
vessel were rescued.
The Zaanland was a cargo carriei
of 8,700 dead-weight ton, and wat
manned by men from the navy anc
used for army purposes.
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j
SUHE TO TAKE
LONDON, May 17.—Russian nava
officials blew up their four American
built submarines before retreatint
from Hango, in Southwestern Finland
last month.
The British admiraltyr announces
‘Hat seven British submarines alsc
were destroyed when the German na
val forces appeared, to prevent theii
falling into German hands.
HUN USEIffl W15
Hi THAN M BILLION
*
WASHINGTON, May 17.—It is un
officially reported that the third Lib
erty loan reached a total of more than
four billion dollars, and it might reach
four and a quarter billions.
sottisTliiiys.
KERTNSB DUE IN II. S.
NEW YORK, May 17—The New
York Call, the Socialist organ, says
that Kerensky, recently head of the
Russian revolutionary government,
will arrive in the United States next
week.
-9
American Bakery for bread.
ALASKAN BOY DESTROYS
AN ENEMY BIPLANE
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES IN FRANCE, May 17.
—American aviators northwest of Toul downed another Ger
man aviator this morning. The details have not yet been re
ceived, but it appears that Lieutenant Edward Rickenbacher,
answering an alarm, met three enemy planes. Rickenbacher
attacked and shot one down inside the German lines.
On Wednesday Captain David Peterson of Pennsylvania
brought down two German monoplanes, and Captain Kenneth
A. Marr of California destroyed a biplane.
Marr Weis a Nome Pioneer
SEATTLE, May 17.—Captain Kenneth A. Marr, one of
the aviators mentioned in the dispatch from the front, was a
pioneer Alaskan, and prospected in the Nome district, He
came out from Alaska a year ago with “Scotty” Allen.
Rickenbacher formerly was an automobile racer. He re
ceived the French war cross on Wednesday last for assisting
in downing a German airplane a fortnight ago.
j ANXIOUS TO GET
—
j AN ATLANTIC PORT, May 17 —
I The enthusiasm and ambition of the
1 officers and men of the American navy
abroad to get a substantial crack ai
I the Germans is fully equal to tha'
displayed by the land forces, saic
I Chapliain P. E. Sydler of the navy
! upon his return from Europe yester
day.
Word that the Germans fleet was
1 coming out to give battle would bt
; greeted with cheers, he said.
Speaking of the recent successfu
raids made by the British naval
forces upon the German submarine
i bases, Rev. Mr. Sydler said that nu
imerous American officers applied foi
permission to take part in the raid
on Zeebrugge, but were ^refused. It
was rumored that one American of
fleer succeeded in getting on board one
, of the raiding ships, and was one oi
the first to land on the mole, where
he was wounded.
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KILLS AVIATOR
NEW YORK, May 17.—Captain An
! tonio Silvio Resnad of the Royal Ital
| ian flying corps, was killed at Hemp
j stead field, near here, today, while
I testing an American-built Carponi
bombing plane, the purchase of which
was recently authorized by the Ameri
can government.
The machine crumpled up when 100
feet in the air.
The famous Italian military aviator
recently piloted a ten-passenger bi
plane from Washington to New York
j and back.
LONDON, May 17.—King George
yesterday received in audience the
American delegates to the interna
tional labor conference, now in ses
sion here. William Short of Seattle,
president of the Washington State
Federation of Labor, was a .member
of the delegation.
I
4* I
WITH THE AMERICAN FORCES
i IN FRANCE, May 17.—A new Ameri
; can army has arrived within the zone
! occupied by the British forces in
| northern France, for the purpose of
j completing its training in the area oc
j cupied by the troops blocking the Ger
man path to the channel ports. f
Under Pershing’s Command
WASHINGTON, May 17.—The
| troops referred to in the above dis
patch are forces which are being bri
gaded and trained with the British
j forces, probably on the Flanders
| front. They are not detached from
I Pershing’s present forces, but are part
| of the new movement of troops from
j the United States which was fore
, cast by Premier Lloyd George some
; time ago.
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__
WASHINGTON, May 16.—Italian of-.„.
i ficials have made known to the ad
ministration. their desire to have
American troops sent to the Italian
i front for the moral effect such action
would have in heartenng both the
Italian troops and the civilian popu
lation.
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TACOMA, Wash., May 17.—T S.
Street of Edmonds, Wash., a member
of Stevens Post No. 1 of Seattle, was
unanimously elected department com
mander of the Washington and Alaska
department, Grand Army of the Re
public yesterday.
The old veterans, who have been
in session here during the week, will
probably complete their business to
day and adjourn.