The Cordova Daily Times
VOLUME TWO. NUMBER 316. CORDOVA, ALASKA. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1915. ___ PRK’L 'ILN' CENTS
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.—Tin* state department mad<
public this afternoon the official text of the Austrian reply t<
the representations from this country concerning the attack 01
the Ancona. The Vienna government denies the statement o
the affair set out by the United States in its note, and sayi
further that even if this statement of the case was correct, i
would not warrant the placing of the blame for the disastei
^ upon the commander of the submarine, who in no way violate!
international law in his attack on the Italian liner. In regarc
to the culpability of the Austrian government, the note asserts
that even the most rigorous legal construction of internationa
law would in no way place any quota ot culpability upon it.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.—President Wilson commence!
work today on the second'note to Austria on the sinking of tin
Italian liner Ancona by a submarine, and tIn* loss of Americai
lives on the ship. There is no longer any doubt but that tin
crisis has been reached in the relations between this country
and Austria I lungary, and that it will take but little more t<
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. snap the tension. The continuance of amicable relations will
> depend entirely on Austria’s reply to the note now being
i framed by Wilson and his advisers. This note will clearly de
‘ fine the alternative if Austria’s reply is not satisfactory. The
i situation is looked upon as extremely grave, but it will not
prevent the President from starting on his wedding tour to
• night. Lansing is fully acquainted with the President’s view
of the matter, and will be able to express the views of the ex
ecutive if any interpretation should be required.
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NALONIKI, Dec. 18.—The work on the fortifications being
erected here by the allies is being pushed with great vigor, ns
the French and British commanders feel that Germany will
I leave no stone unturned to strike a vital blow before the allies
1 can protect themselves. The need of additional troops is grad
i ually being supplied, as every day sees new transports coming
■ into the harbor with regiments of fresh troops, heavily armed
' and well supplied with artillery. Complete control will be
» taken of the railroad and terminals by next Sunday, as it is
expected tlint by that time all the Greek troops will have been
withdrawn. A report has been received'here that eight batter
ies of big siege guns have arrived in Sofia from Germany, and
will be used in the Bulgarian and German attack on Saloniki.
BERLIN, Dec. 18. The war office officially announces
i.,day that the Teutonic invasion of Montenegro is proceeding
according to schedule, and has met no check so far. The oper
ations to date have resulted in clearing a considerable portion
[of the territory of eastern Montenegro, notably that section
northeast of the Ters river. In the* past five days the Austrian
troops on the west and the Germans on the northwest have
taken in all thirteen hundred prisoners. The situation along
the Russian front has not changed. Very little activity is be
ing manifested by either side, and no engagements of any im
portance have taken place. The weather is severe in Russia,
and the troops on both sides are not anxious to engage in hat
ties, as the cold is particularly trying on the wounded, who
I suffer greatly from frostbite.
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DETAILS OUR NAVAL PROGRAM
Special to The Times By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.—Details of the half billion dol
lar navy building program under the five year continuing plan
recommended to Congress, are contained in tin1 annual report
of Secretary Daniels, have just been made public.
The report shows that for the first time in tin* history of
tin* department, the secretary’s recommendations increase the
expenditures proposed by the general hoard. In this connec
tion the secretary says:
“My recommendation of a five year program embraces
the same number as proposed by tin1 general board in the dis
tribution it made in the five year program of dreadnaughts,
battle cruisers, scouts and destroyers. I recommend 15 fleet
subamrines where tin* general board recommends D, and 1 re
commend 85 coast submarines as against 58 recommended by
the general board. For additional reserve ammunition, my re
commendation is $25,000,000, whereas the general board re
commends $11,000,000. They recommend something more for
other craft. My total for the five years is $502,482,214. The
general board’s total is $490,870,000, a very slight difference
for the five years, though the board’s recommendation for the
first year is much larger than the department’s estimate.’
The five year program for new ships and completion of
those already authorized reaches a grand' total of $502,482,214,
with large appropriations for reserve ammunition and aviation.
It is understood the board recommended a particularly
large program for the first year.
The secretary calls attention to the fact that he established
a precedent last year in making public the report of the gen
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eral board, which he will follow this year at a later date. The
result, he says, is certain to arouse discussion as between the
recommendations of the board and of the secretary, but adds:
‘But discussion makes for knowledge and a wise decision.
The general board is influenced by its professional views,
while the administration takes into consideration the whole
national policy, and does not overlook the question oi national
revenues.”
Following will be the composition of the fleet in 1021,
built or building, if the program is carried out, according to
tin* general board’s calculations, the secretary says:
Battleships, first line.27
Battle cruisers. jj
Battleships, second line.
Armored cruisers. 10
Scout cruisers.18
Cruisers, first class. ,r>
Cruisers, second class. 8
Cruisers, third class. Id
Destroyers ..... .108
Fleet submarines.18
Coast submarines ..15/
Monitors. '*
Gunboats.20
Supply ships. ^
Fuel ships .15
Transports. 4
Tenders to torpedo vessels. 8
Special types. 8
Ammunition ships. 2
The full total of the navy budget for the year is $217,652,
174; all hut $132,280,047 of which will go for ships now under
construction, or to be authorized. The remainder contemplat s
the increased personnel and general running expenses of the
navy afloat and ashore.
The secretary comments at length on the need of battle
cruisers of the proposed 3a knot type. I he events ot the Eu
ropean war are recounted to show the part these craft have
played', and the reasons for including six ot them in tin* build
ing program. As to the battleships of the future, the secretary
savs the suggested vessels are of much greater displacement
[and heavier armament than anything heretofore contemplated
for any navy. Tin* department is now discussing plans for
| ships of 3T;,(MM) tons and armed with 1b inch, or perhaps 17-inch
guns. The secretary says the plan has not yet been approved,
but his estimates are based on ships to cost -18,000,000 each,
which would allow for the increased size.
Secretary Daniels takes another radical step in his report
in urging that the present system of promotion of officers by
seniority be abandoned in favor of promotion by selection. He
goes at length into the results of the seniority system to find
that it produces “stagnation in the lower grades, arrival at
command rank late in life, and a fleeting passage through
command and flag grades, combined with absolute lack of pro
Sessional incentive throughout all grades.” Officers now hold
the grade of captain for an average of two years, he says, and
re rear-admirals for only six months before retirement for
age overtakes them. About 1,600 officers, he states, must pass
through the grades of captain and' rear-admiral in the next
forty years under the present plan.
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The St ■ward Post published the following dispatch under j
a Washington date line:
Claiming to be u committee of laborers acting in behalf
of the railroad employes under the Alaskan engineering com
mission, three men, giving their names as Claus Hotiarth, Don
ald McGreggor and Paul Farland, appeared here today.
They claim that the people of Seward and Anchorage op
pose further work on the railroad under existing conditions,
and are showing copies of the Seward Gateway containing
articles attacking the commission about wages and conditions
in support of their claims.
They say that conditions at Anchorage are such that the
railroad work ought to be investigated by Congress.
On receipt of the above dispatch The Post inquired at en
gineering headquarters here in regard to the men whose names
are mentioned.
B. H. Barnd’ollar, examiner of accounts, has a complete
file of all employes of the engineering commission who have
been on the pavroll since the work started, both here and at
Anchorage, and the names of Hoffarth, McGreggor and Far
land were not among them.
The Post has asked its Anchorage correspondent to inves
tigate the matter, to see whether or not any one there has au
thorized them to file complaints.
It is not probable that much attention will be paid to their
statements, for the secretary of the interior has at ham! the
unanimous endorsement of the commission’s work from civic
and municipal authorities here.
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WEAVING NET AROUND PLOTTERS OF SHIPS.
„ NEW YORK, Dec. 18.—Detectives are gradually disclos
ing the trail of the plotters who hove been making this city and
the surrounding country their headquarters for operations
tending to destroy ships carrying supplies to the allies, by plac
ing explosives on board. Several German residents were ar
rested yesterday accused of complicity in the plot, but the
police have not made known in what way they were connected.
Frederick Schleindel, a clerk, employed by the National City
Bank, was also taken into custody on a charge of larceny. Tic*
police claim that he supplied valuable information to the band
who were seeking to destroy the ships, by purloining cables and
other messages on file in the bank relative to the transporta
tion of supplies for England and France. These messages were
also turned over to the German government, and were used in
directing the German submarines in their campaign against
the British merchant marine.
ALL IS NOT PEACE ABOARD FORD SHIP.
CHRISTIANIA, Dec. 18.—The Oscar IT, bearing the peace
expedition from the United States, headed by Henry ford, has
arrived here, and at present the members have ben put to some
discomfort, as they are unable to obtain hotel accommodations
in this city. The city is crowded with visitors from the coun
jtry. Most of the apostles of peace are still living on the ship,
winch is tied up at the dock. Ford has so far made no definite
announcement of his plans, and will probably wait here until
the delegates from Spain and Switzerland arrive.
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ENGLISH STAR GAZE FOR ZEPPELINS.
LONDON, Dec. 18.—Since Zeppelin raids have become
more the rule than the exception in London and environs, there
has been a marked increase in public interest in astronomy.
Just now the newspapers are filled with discussions anent this
or that star—discussions directly attributable to the fact that
Londoners have acquired the habit of star gazing in the hope
of sighting hostile air craft. Toward 11 o’clock at night the
usual ‘‘Zep. time,” perhaps a third of London looks skyward.
A few nights after the big raid the planet Jupiter, seeming
ly rising in an unaccustomed place, was mistaken toi a Zeppe
lin searchlight. Perhaps a dozen persons made the discovery.
Since then several newspaper articles have appeared, giving
Jupiter a clean bill of health.
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VIENNA, Dec. 18.—A remarkable feat of marksmanship
is reported from the southwestern front, where many of the
famous Tyrolese riflemen are fighting against the Italians. A
troop of the so-called Kaiser Light Infantry, which was fight
ing on the Doberedo plateau, got into a most precarious posi
tion in advance of the Austrian lines. They could not retreat,
as the ground over which they would have to run was tally
covered by the Italian guns. They held their ground for sev
eral days, while suffering greatly for lack of food and water.
The Italian artillery was playing upon them with accur
acy, being directed by means of a post of observers on highei
ground than that held by the Tyrolese. It was regarded as
necessary to get rid of that post, which consisted of eight Al
pini; and' a soldier who had made a reputation for himself in
the Oetzthal as a highly expert poacher, volunteered to under
take the difficult task. Climbing stealthily by night, as it
hunting chamois, he reached a hiding place in easy shot ol the
post, and when the eight Italians began to stir the next morn
ing he quickly picked them off, one after the other.
ITALY HAS NATIONAL ASPIRATIONS.
ROME, Dec. IK.—Premier Kalandra made a speech at
Turin the other day, in which he said two words that summed
up Italy’s purposes in the present European conflict—“nation
al aspirations.” These two words are worth remembering by
anyone who wishes to understand Italy’s role in the present
conflict, and how it differs from that of England, France, Rus
sia and the other parties to the great struggle.
Premier Kalandra spoke at the moment the Balkan situa
tion was absorbing the attention of the world, but he did' not
mention the Balkans. If Kerhia or Belgium or Poland had been
uppermost in the public mind he doubtless would have passed
that over without mention, for the keynote of Kalandra and
Italy in this war is not Belbium or Kerhia or the Balkans or
any other altruistic purpose, but always and distinctly the ful
fillment of Italy’s “national aspirations.”
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LONDON, Dec. 18.—Four classes of recruits, who enlisted
under Lord Derby’s plan, were called to the colors today. The
king issued a royal proclamation ordering the men to mobilize
and prepare for foreign sendee. Another royal proclamation
was issued, placing all tin- recruits on Lord Derby’s roll who
did not enlist for immediate service, on the reserve rolls ot the
army. The government is making extensive preparations to
enlarge the field forces of the British empire, and one of the
next moves of the cabinet is expected to be conscription. Be
fore any of the married men who enlisted under Lord Derby’s
plan will be called out it is practically certain that the govern
ment will conscript all the unmarried men of military age. Tliej
government has decided to defer the training of the eighteen
year old boys, and they were not called to the colors by the de- (
cree today.
HIPPy EVENT IS
BOOKED EOF'
WASHINGTON. Dec. 18. — All the
preparations have been completed for
the Wilson-Galt nuptials, which will
lake place at the residence of the
bride in this city tonight, and every
thing is in readiness down to the
slightest details for the happy event.
Guests have been arriving all day at
the Galt House, and the home of the
bride has superseded the capitol and
the White House as the most Import
*lli ruilMT hi nniiimun luuaj, i nc
house Is beautifully decorated. Po
lice and secret service euards are
present in abundance to ward off
nrankH, and keep the curious in check.
The President visited Mrs. Galt for
a short time today, and after-wards
nailed at the bank and examined pap
ers In his safe deposit vault. He was
busy at work all the aflernoon pre
paring to reply to the Austrian note
on Up' \ncona. and was unruffled aiu.
showed no signs of nervousness over
the wedding. He will dine at the
White House at 7 o'clock tonight, and
Immediately leave for tiro wedding
ceremony. A great number of pres
ents have been received and more are
nonstantly nrrivlng by mail. expresB
ind special messengers.
BASF. BALL WAR
EXISTS
NEW YORK. Dec. 18. — The base
ball meeting which has held sway in
this city, adjourned today without
completing its labors, although all
details for ending the war have been
agreed upon, and the dove of peace
will personally deliver a Christmas
present to each of the magnates, in
the shape of a signed agreement
which will end the ruinous competi
tion in baseball salaries. The meet
ing will reconvene next Tuesday at
the home of Garry Hermann in Cin
cinnati, where the papers will be
signed, and a jubilation held. As soon
as the transaction is consummated
the suit by the Federal league against
the older organizations, alleging vio
lations of the Sherman Anti-Ttruat
Law, which is pending in the federal
court in Chicago, will he dismissed.
President Gilmore, of the Feds, ad
mitted today that his organization lost
three million dollars in the war.
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THE JESTERS AND FRIENDS WILL
DANCE CHRISTMAS NIGHT.
The dance to be given by The Jest
era at the Kagle Hall on Christine",
night promises to be largely attended
as all the young people are lookini
forward to this event with muct
pleasure. There will be no specia
invitations issued, and all who so de
sire are invited to attend.
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ALAMEDA IN PORT TONIGHT.
The steamer Alameda will arriv
from the westward at 5:30 o’cloc!
this afternoon, and as she take
aboard a cargo of copper ore. will u*.
sail for Seattle until some time iv
Sunday morning.
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WILL TAKE SUPPLIES TO SLAT
CREEK.
It is understood that Jack Mille
the Slate Creek placer mining ope.
ator, is arranging for the delivery i
a large shipment of supplies to Sla'
Creek for next season’s operation
The freight will be taken in via Chi
ina. but the horses will go from Vi
dex over the winter road to the is
terior to take the freight to tl
mines,
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