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(By Associated Press)
HAVRE, Dec. 13—The Belgian army
was composed of 117,000 men at the
beginning of the- war, increased by
20,000 volunteers in August. 1914, and
was reduced to 60,000 men after the
battle of the Yser. By measures ap
plied to Belgian refugees and by the
enlistment of volunteers who braved
the live wire barriers raised on the
Holland frontier, it now has been
brought up to 10 divisions of well
trained forces ready to take their
part in the offensive in Flanders
whenever the word is given by the
commander-in-chief, the Associated
Press is informed by the Belgian
minister of war.
"If our army has not undertaken
operations of a wider scope up to this
time,»’ said the minister, “it is be
cause it does not devolve on it to de
cide the moment when these opera
tions should begin. The army is only
a part of the combined allied forces
acting in unison and in accordance
with carefully developed plans. The
army has valiantly filled the role,
more grateful than glorious, that has
been assigned to it. It has just proved
by its brilliant participation in the
last offensive in Flanders that it is
ready to attack with fervor and
awaits impatiently the hour."
Summarizing the work of the Bel
gian army during the war and refer
ring to its difficulties and lack of
equipment, the minister recalled that
in August, 1914, the army had only
one machine gun for each 1000 men,
was short of 3-inch guns and had am
munition for only about 800 shots for
each piece. It had no light mortars,
no heavy artillery, no grenades, no
trench equipment, no ambulances, no
pontoon crews, and not a single mo
tor cycle. It had only 1,000 bicycles,
2 captive balloons, a few superan
nauted airplanes and a few posts of
wireless telegraphy.
“\Ve had only 32,000 infantry after
.the battle of the Yser," said the min
ister and its equipment was in a piti
able state, munitions were lacking
and all of the different organisms
were deranged when the army base
was transferred to foreign soil. This
remnant of an army not only barred
the way to Calais but while doing so
reorganized and reinforced' until now
it counts three times the number of
men that the battle of the Yser left
valid. The front held by the Belgian
: army has been gradually lengthened
from about 12 1-2 miles after the bat
tle of the Yser to 19 miles in June
1916. “The Belgian army organized
thfe front and held it alone until the
middle of this year, when, as a con
sequence of the operations of the al
lied offensive in Flanders it was re
duced, enabling the army to dispose
of considerable reserves.
1 “The Belgian army prepared more
than 250 miles of trenches and re
built more than 200 miles of road.
Eighty different lines of normal guage
railroads were built. Battery emplace
ments were constructed by hundreds,
and thirteen thousand miles of tele
phone wires were put up, or laid un
derground.
____
"In August, 1917, the army had
twelve times as many machine guns
as in 1914, seven times as many
field guns and heavy pieces with five
times as much ammunition as was on
hand at the outset of hostilities. It
has ten times as many airplanes.
"Belgian aviators during three
month's normal activity executed
nearly 2000 flights, ofwhich 1020 were
In pttfsuit of adversary planes. All
the different arms of the service have
progressed and been improved in the
ratio indicated by these figures.
"The impression that has gone
abroad that the Belgian army was
reorganized and re-equipped entirely
by our allies is an error,” the minister
added. “Belgium, exiled and depriv
ed of all her resources, received gen
erous hospitality and powerful aid
from her glorious allies. It w^-pn
French and British soil that all was
to be done, but Belgians themselves
took up the work of reconstruction.
The Belgian army created by its own
efforts the greater part of what was
indispensible for it to live and fight.
It is building it own cannon, making
its own powder and its own projec
tiles. Our valiant troops have held in
front of them continually a far great
er number of German troops than the
puMIc has supposed.”
_e_. _
NOTICE TO CREDITORS.
s ' -
In the Probate Court for the Terri
tory of Alaska. Third Division, ''ai
des Precinct, at Valdez, in Probate.
In the matter of the Estate of
Robert I). Gray, Deaeeased. No. 173.
The undersigned, having on the
30th day of November, 1917, been
appointed executor of the estate ot'
Robert D. Gray, Deceased, notice is
hereby given to the creditors of and
all persons having claims against de-!
ceased or hi» estate, to exhibit them
with the necessary vouchers, within
six months after the first publication
of this notice to said executor at his
office and place of business in Cor
, dtrva, Alaska, the same being the
place for the transaction of business
for said estate in the Territory of I
Alaska. The first publication of this!
notice is published on the 6th day of!
December, 1917,
JAMES SMITH
Executor of the Estate of Robert D.
Gray, Deceased.
First publication December 6, 1917.
East publication December 31. 1917.
I v
THE CITY BA K 1 RY
WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN. FINE CAKES AND PASTRY
FOR
Partfes and Receptions
MAKERS OF THE FAMOUS ."CREAM LOAF" BREAD
SUN "MAID” RAISIN RREA D—A TREAT INDEED
RYE BREAD GRAHAM BREAD
LUNCH ROOM—WHIRS Y OU GET THOSE EXCELL
ENT LURCHES
i__ !
.J.The Big Things to look for in
1 Clothes Are——
| 1. Distinctive Style.
1 2. Quality Fabric. • I
I 3. Careful Tailoring. I
| 4. A Good Reputation. I!
| Adler Collegian Clothes j
' Posses All Four
1 I
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Design comes first and is all important. The Collegian de
signers are recognized authorities in their profession.
Quality standards in materials are assured by the Collegian
I system of factory inspection by mill experts.
Tailored perfection has been achieved bv carefully building
up an orgahization of skilled workman who rank foremost
in their trade.
s
-! The ADLER REPUTATION is based on these three IMPORTANT
k' FACTORS. It extends over a period of more than tifiy years and
| is back of every suit wearing the COLLEGIAN LABEL.
jH Adler Collegian Clothes, In a wide
|| variety of new styles and faeries, are
p now on display in our store.
FINKELSTEIN AND SAPIRO
General Merchandise
\j@\ ALASKA
\ ^ STEAMSHIP CO.
Fast and commodious steamers sailing between Seattle, Kefcm
i»<»n. Wranged, Juneau, fjkaaway, Cordova, Valdez. Seward
Leaves Leaves Cordova
Seattle. for Seattle.
November 27 VICTORIA December 4
December 1 ALAMEDA Decembers
The freighters Cordova, Latouche, .Juneau, Valdez
and Ketchikan also make regular trips.
This company reserves the right to change schedule ol steamers
without notice.
Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Bldg. Baggage
or freight will not ce received at the dr .k later than one hour before
sailing time.
F. B. TRACY, S R. HEDGES,
General Agent Agent
—Next Steamer—
S. S. ADMIRAL EVANS
Leaves Seattle.December 14-tli
Arrives Cordova, Westbound ..December 20th
Leaves Cordova, Southbound .December 2(>th
_Next Sailing from Seattle January 1st.
CALIFORNIA ROUTE
Steamers President, Governor, Admirals Schley and Dewey, Queen.
Through Tickets to All Parts of the United States and Canada.
Right Reserved to Chance Schedule of Steamers Without Notice.
FOR'FULL PARTICULARS APPLY
W. A. NOURSE, Agent. Empress Building.
•-. .... - ,m~ «■„
FOR GENERAL TEAMING, BAGGAGE
TRANSFERRED, AUTO SERVICE,
COAL AND WOOD.
ALASKA TRANSFER
COMPANY
UNEXCELLED WAREHOUSE FACILITIES
For Storing and Insuring Baggage,
Mdse and Household Goods.
Office—Northern Hotel Building. Phone 85.
f NORTHERN MEAT MARKET 1
—..........- -- .- .-. !•>
|j Wholesale and Retail Dealers in iji;
1 FRESH BEEF, PORK, VEAL, MUTTON AND PRO- If
y. VISIONS |
•S Particular Attention and Prompt Service Given to orders from
*;
Mining Camps, Roadhouses and Interior Points
| HALIBUT and Other Fresh Fish of all Kinds Will be I
Kept in Stock When Available.
SMITH & GLASBRENNER, Props. |
Vli S
Sixty Steam Heated Rooms Eletrie Lighted
Hot and Cold Water in Every Room
With or Without Bath.
Cordova House
H. C. ROSS, Proprietor.
Headquarters for Railroad and Mining Men
Satisfaction Guranteed
Rates Reasonable
> --■■■_ —-— -.
x* _ •:*;
| Foos Gas Engines i
| 4 to SCO Horse Power
General Electric Motors |
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Pelton Water Wheels I
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