The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1819.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
wtt.t. a. STEEL—Editor*, Manager* and Proprietor*—MASSY O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
SeatUe Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .Von
~ ADVERTISING RATES *►'
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper River district.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1914.
THE HORRORS OP WAR
Ill a guarded discussion of the American army Colonel
W. P. Richardson makes it clear that we are not a lighting
nation and that we differ from European countries in that
we do not maintain a large standing army and do not train
our young men with the idea of ultimately engaging in battle.
While it is the desire of Uncle Sam to have his regulars
well drilled and qualified with a proper understanding of the
requirements of conflict, the Colonel explains that this is done
more with the idea of defense rather than aggression.
He declares that the conditions in Europe are appalling,
almost beyond the comprehension of the average mind. And
he believes that Alaskans and Americans generally have cause
for great rejoicing that they are so far removed from the scene
of bloody warfare.
Already thousands have been mowed down before the
guns and artillery of the contending forces and the fields of
Belgium are now being strewn for miles with the dying and
wounded bodies of untold numbers. And this is only the
beginning, so that we may well appreciate the remarks of Col.
Richardson, who views an indescribable and prolonged scene
of horrors and wanton waste.
But—
If all the warring nations of Europe were tomorrow
to drop hostilities, leave boundaries as they were, forget
reprisals, and turn over to their subjects the vast sums they
have voted for war expenditures, think what would happen!
How many boys and girls would be equipped with educa
tions, who otherwise must straggle along without them!
How many cripples provided with artificial limbs!
How many sick restored to health!
How many discoveries and inventions worked out which
now halt for want of funds!
How many toilers rested and given a fresh start!
How many babies’ lives saved!
How many books written!
How many debts paid!
How many homes made happy!
How many lives would be saved!
How much suffering of maimed and wounded would be
eliminated!
How many destroyed towns and desolated fields would
be avoided!
It would be the easiest thing in the world.
It is simply a matter of saying, “We governments exist
for the real benefit of our peoples, not for the aggrandizement
of officials, nor the satisfaction of ancient grudges, nor even
the glory of our nations.
We are simply great numbers of people, suffering, rejoic
ing, starving, feasting, toiling, learning, living and dying.
“What profiteth it a nation if it shall conquer the whole
world at the cost of the lives and happiness of thousands of
its people?”
And yet there is no power on earth, apparently, that can
dissolve the mob spirit which at present dominates the actions
of European nations, into sane self-consciousness. And so
health and happiness and education and progress will have to
wait until they recover from their madness.
A new Republican Territorial committee has just been
made public by Chairman Herron. Just how it “happened”
is not explained, as no convention or meeting of the committee
has been held for a couple of years. But as the men on the
new committee are all pretty good fellows guess no one will
question very closely as to how or what for they came.
September 1 will be an important day throughout the
world for it will be the occasion of the convening of the
conclave of Cardinals to elect a successor to the late Pope
Pius X.
There seems to be an indication of fate in the report that
the German warship Panther, which was sent to Algeria to
terrify France four years ago, has now been sunk by French
warships.
The new minister to Greece is a Williams College,
professor. He will probably be more wary than to attempt to
straighten out the Albanian trouble on the lines of American
politics.
The Germans appear to be having it all their own way
in Belgium. They are now well on the way to the French line
and have captured one of the sea ports on the North Sea.
Soon Delegate James Wickersham will land on Alaskan
shores and then fhe campaign will be on in earnest.
The organization of those rvial gun-running volunteers
in Ireland must now seem providential.
Some of the numerous prophets of the war, which every
body has been prophesying for many years, should take new
risks by predicting whether Germany, Russia, Austro
Hungary, Great Britain or Servia will be the first to enter the
family of republics. Great Britain, however, already claims
to be the ideal republic.
The House at Washington has been a little slow in
passing the Alaska coal bill. It was predicted for last
Wednesday, but possibly it is tomorrow when the decisive vote
will be taken.
A FAVORABLE IMPRESSION
The Democratic candidate for Delegate to Congress circled
about Cordova last evening, on his way from Southeastern
Alaska to his home at Valdez. Mr. Bunnell made a very
favorable impression and strengthened himself and the Demo
cratic cause among the people with whom he came in contact.
Within a week or two he expects to return and address the
voters in a public meeting. Referring to his candidacy the
Juneau Empire says:
► The progressive principle in Alaska politics in the
political campaign that is now on in this territory is
represented by Charles E. Bunnell and the Democratic
platform on which he stands. His is the candidacy that
offers Alaskans the hope of self-government. He is the
candidacy for Delegate to Congress who would make
real American citizens of the people of Alaska. The
platform on which he stands is the one which proposes
to accept the suggestion of President Wilson, and to ask
Congress and the President for full territorial
government.
And Mr. Bunnell in every right way is the personi
fication of the principle for which he is contending. He
is an Alaskan citizen in all that the term implies. His
life is of the woof and web of the permanent, home
building, commonwealth-constructing phase of Northern
development. He is progressive and constructive. lie
possesses that confidence in the people which is the
essence of democracy. He is able in any company, and
clean above reproach.
A LIFE TO EMULATE
Late this afternoon the will of the> late Pope Pius X was
made public in Rome. In it in part he says, ‘‘I was born
poor, I have lived poor and I wish to die poor. I beg the Holy
See to grant a pension of $60 monthly for life to my sisters.”
This powerful but humble man who accumulated not when he
had millions within his reach, should ever be an example to
the average American whose greed for wealth subordinates
all instincts of fairness or righteousness. If such an idea
should dominate the lives of Americans and the thought of the
almighty dollar was not the predoimnating consideration in
almost all actions, the resultant good would almost be beyond
our comprehension. The Pope who led a life of privation and
sacrifice, died richer in blessings than the multi-millionaire
whose life has been devoted to accumulation and the conse
quent oppression of the weaker. What a world this might be
were the fact reversed and man sought to die poor instead
of rich.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Alfred Noyes, the poet of peace, has written a militant
appeal to British patriotism, but the bellicose Kipling is
strangely silent.
Housewives in the midst of the canning sea-on confronted
with the prospect of sugar going to 10 cents a pound agree
with Sherman.
and proposes to ride over many difficulties on the journey from
Valdez to Juneau.
A woman has been arrested for carrying a revolver in her
stocking. She should be released on the ground that it was
not a concealed weapon.
Some folks do a favor in a way that makes you feel that
they are going to hold it up against you.
We are more likely to favor new fangled ideas and reforms
if they work our way.
Man is in a mighty poor position to say that woman doesn’t
vote intelligently.
There is every indication that before the coming of a new
year President Wilson will have in his hands the report of the
Alaska Engineering Commission. These men are making good
progress in securing surveys of proposed routes for govern
ment railroads and data concerning the probable resources of
the country. It is expected that early in 1915 announcement
will be made of a route selected for the construction of the first
railroad. And that should mean encouragement to the people
of Cordova.
There is some class to A1 White’s campaigning. He is
somewhat of a progressive young man and the old methods are
too slow for him. He is campaigning through part of the
district in an automobile. He wants to go to the legislature,
Evidently John Redmond knew his people when he
predicted that they would support the government in the
present juncture. A German paper but a day or two before had
prophesied that Great Britain with one province disaffected
j would not undertake war. But the atcual results show that
Ireland is as loyal as any other section.
Sir Thomas Lipton’s decision not to race is natural enough.
The world is not giving its attention to peaceful international
contests. The real business is engrossing attention, with stakes
of entire fleets to be won or lost.
When this cruel war is over what will become of all the
reservists who have gone over to the old flags? Of course they
will come back to the Stars and Stripes, those of them who are
lucky enough not to be killed.
By the time the keen interest in the European war
subsides there will be occasion for many a wordy war to be
fought on the baseball diamond at Cordova.
The war correspondents—willing to be—at Washington,
must find it perfectly awful to be marooned in the press
galleries of the Senate and House.
Liege seems to be quite a belligerent point if it takes
160,000 Germans to subdue her, and then she is not subdued.
Austria-Hungary may shortly experience bitter regrets for
hurling the first stone.
Of course if it were not for the vast mass of people who
dop’t know what they are fighting for, the war could not be
fought. It was Heinrich Heine, a German, who wrote that
kings and courtiers had long, long arms and all the people
long, long ears.
The property owners who are putting in their own cement
sidewalks are showing considerable enterprise, and evidencing
their faith in the future permanency of the city.
* . ; ? > ...
<
Why Not Invest? {
<
i
- <
V <
With the building of the government railroad from <
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina <
is assured. 1
<
- 4
i
Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there <
are many desirable ones remaining. <
i
- 4
<
A few months later lots in Chtiina will be held at <
largely increased values. Why not invest NOW 1 <
4
- 4
4
GEO. C. HAZELET, <
Agent Chitina Townsite Company. <
<
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNA
Xo more 'need to carry
STOVES and TINWARE
over the long trail to the
interior, as we are pre- ,
pared to till all orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSHANNA . - ALASKA
Chitina GRILL
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Seivice.
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : * : : ALASKA.
TVTVTTWTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTt: '
*
• • • ’
• •
! 0. ADRIAN NELSON jj
; - !!
: U. S. Mineral Surveyor :
: ::
; CHITINA ■ - - ALASKA jl
!WH»W4»H4»H444»WW I
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
HENRY GESSNER, Prop.
FRESH BREAD, CAKES AND
PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
4-444 4 4 44 4 44444444444444*44
! Chitina |
| Pharmacy!
| 44444444444*4*44444444 ♦
% DRUGS, 4
X STATIONERY, |
X CANDIES, ♦
| KODAK SUPPLIES X
| CIGARS & TOBACCO t
}If you cannot call, write f
us. MAIL orders our X
Specialty. t
\ A. G. MOREY, Prop. |
4444444444444444444444444»
V. t
p33 Let Lewis Help
I "Pointer* for Anuteors” will help you to better I I
I pictures—it’s free. Send us you* films for develop- I I
I ing and printing. Enlarging. Developing 10c roll. I I
I any tize; printing, Ic up. Cash with order. You’ll II ■
I find oar work better. Photo supplies. Dept. S, I |
r I
4W44H* !■»■!■ 4 »H4»W
! GROCERIES, HARDWARE i
; — AND-: = I
I MEAT MARKET 1
We have a big line of Sec- +
• ond-Hand Goods, and can «fr
save you money on your out- £
i fit. Bunk House, with free %.
, Cook House, in connection. ^
| CHITINA HEIGHTS !
• C. A. SIMOXS & CO. £
feed, fuel
and
Lumber
HAV, BRAN. OATS, CHOPS, ^
HOLLER 15 A RLE V
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHIJINA
**********..
HOTEL
; WASHINGTON i!
ANNEX
, • ■
SEATTLE ! !
■ >
__ <»
< >
> New, modern and fireproof. <»
< >
All outside rooms • *
■ >
The most conveniently located j J
hotel in the city. 1 •
Rooms and suites are particu' !
larly large. 1 •
Very desirable for families or | |
parties traveling together. \ ’
RATES MODERATE ;
Auto-bus meets all boats and ! !
trains. Write for booklet. I !
inunmmnn, Prop ^