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, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
• WTT.T- A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—HARRY O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
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Riven- Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper P.lve: district. __
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1914.
ALASKA WINS A VICTORY
Alaska is on the march to development. Another strong
advance was made this afternoon at Washington. The large
army of patriots in the House of Representatives fired a volley
that reached unto the Bering river and Matanuska coal fields
of Alaska. It was of such strength that it broke down the
preliminary fortifications that have so carefully protected and
nurtured tiiese most valuable assets of the great north. Having
done their duty so well the Representatives are permitted to
rest for a time while the great General Wilson is marshaling
his forces in the Senate. Within a few days it is expected that
the stately warriors in the upper chamber will direct their
heavy artillery against the conservation enemy, and that the
inner walls of the fortification will give way. Then the
combined forces of the Senate and House will make a final
attack upon the enemy and annihilate the last vestige of
opposition that has prevented the mining of coal and the
consequent development of other resources. Although only a
preliminary victory was won by Alaska today it is expected
to be fairly complete within a short time now. After the
Senate passes a coal laesing bill, the differences between their
measure and the one passed today by the House will be settled
in conference. Then a stronger and more workable measure
will be agreed upon, which will pass both Senate and House
and be immediately signed by the President.
COMMISSION MAKES GOOD PROGRESS
Lieut. Hears, a member of the Alaska Engineering
Commission, has been with us and is now on a special train
going over the railroad into the Copper River mining district.
After an examination of that section he will visit the Bering
river coal fields, going over the survey that has been made
from Mile 88 to the heart of the district. He will later return
to Cordova and be joined here by the other two members of
the commission. Rapid progress is being made with the
surveys of the proposed Alaska railroads, and it is expected
that they will be complete before the end of October. It will
then take the commission two or three months to formulate
their report and submit it to President Wilson. He and Secre
tary Lane will do the rest, in the way of making decisions.
And then we shall expect that the people of Cordova will have
additional reason for congratulation.
WHO FAYS FOR WAR?
—
"When France surrendered to Prussia in January, 1871,;
aPer a short year of war, and peace was declared May 10, 1871, j
after a conference at Frankfort-on-the-Main, it-was agreed that j
Prussia, which then included the German states by the procla
mation of the German Empire made at Versailles, should take)
over the territory of Alsace, German Lorraine and Metz, and j
France pay an indemnity of 5,000,000,000 francs, or i
$1,000,000,000. With extraordinary celerity the French people!
paid this heavy penalty of defeat and Germany at once piled
the $1,000,000,000 in gold in a tower of the castle of Spandau j
as a war fund, and it is now being used to prosecute a new war!
against France.
What compensation was that huge pile of gold, that blood
money, with the acquisition of Alsace, Lorraine and Metz, to
the people of the new German Empire ? Of course, those who
were left alive shouted, “Long live the Kaiser,” and paeans
of victory were heard in the parks and streets and churches,
but the dead were not brought to life, widows were not given
back their husbands, orphans were not fathered.
And what recompense did France get for her scores of
thousands slain, to say nothing of the maimed for life? A
v"-t war debt, a loss of hundreds of thousands in destruction
of property through all the country from Metz and Sedan to
and in and around paris, a loss of valuable territory, and the
only gain was the fall of a tottering throne and the establish
ment of a republic instead of a vicious empire.
Who will pay for the inexcusable, criminal, international
war now being waged in Europe ?
Any really intelligent person may make a fairish gues«
as to what will happen if this side or that side wins; as to
indemnities and new partition of territory, but at the same
time, any person of ordinary common sense knows that war
never can be paid for. Xo hollow obsequies can compensate
for the mountains of slain. Xo purifying chemies <ian substitute
for the horrid odor of blood any perfume of victory or the
dead flowers of defeat. Xo matter what the terms of so-called
peace, the stench of the charnel house will be over it all.
Several loud blasting noises this afternoon about 4
o’clock gave rise to the rumor that the Germans had gotten
ahead of Congress and were about to open the coal fields of
Bering River, first having bombarded the town of Ivatalla.
Submarines and aeroplanes would be more satisfactory as
opponents in warfare if they gave any advance indication of
whom they intended to hit.
Carranza having become tbe recognized ruler of Mexico,
; he has but little sympathy for the mischievous fellows who
raise insurrections.
Unweildv Russia may finally arrive at the front—if the
front does not move itself too far to the west.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
*
—
When Prussia and Austria combined a half century ago
to despoil little Denmark of Schleswig-Holstein, they did not
dream that a day of reckoning might come. But after the war
is over, if the allies win, the Danes may make a strong claim,
at least for Schleswig, where there are over 200,000 people
speaking Danish.
In a wire received from the interior today it is stated that
the gold output from Chisana during the px-esent season will
aggi’egate over a quarter million dollars. And the prediction
is further made that the camp will be a good prodxicer for many
years to come. All of which soxinxls encouraging.
Recalling and modifying a famous epigram about the
Holy Roman Empire, it is pertinent to remark that Christian
civilization ixx Europe today is neither Christian nor civilized.
A query fi*om the Poles to the Finns of the exact value of |
automatic pi'omises of self-government would bring a reply'
not calculated to put such pledges at a premium.
War and politics are alike in making strange bed fellows.
The spectacle of Russia and Japan bunking together is calcu
lated to shock both.
The “watchful waiting” in Eui’ope is done by the wives
and mothers at home.
The Russians assert that their army is now completely
mobilized, hut there doesn’t appear to be much fighting
evidence of it.
The dogs of war rush into the fighting and at least make
things very lively. The hogs of war stay at home and raise j
food prices.
Crops fell ofF a little during the late hot and dry spell, but j
they are still in excess of the means of taking them to foreign
markets.
Albania declaims its neutrality in all clashes that it cannot
reach. The domestic squabbles in Albania will go on as freely
as evei\
It is to be hoped that if we accomplish an American
merchant marine, real American enthusiasm will follow the
flag. ^
Up to the hour of going to pi’ess this afternoon no word
had been received of the passage of the Alaska coal leasing
bill by the House at Washington.
Belgium’s title to the lightweight championship of Europe
seems pretty well established. But she does not want any more
bouts with such a heavyweight as Germany.
After all. some dark night when Austi’o-Hungaiy is busy
fighting the battles of Gerixxany, Italy might step across the
line and take back the slice which the Hapsbux*gs stole away
and foi’got to return.
In Eui’ope’s ancient wai’s they lasted so long that every
one forgot what they were fighting about. They have improved
on that now since in this one they fell to fighting without
anyone knowing what for.
Some one with a memory recalls that in 1870 American
sympathies wei’e against the French. Inevitable, with the
Mexican Empire and Louis Napolgon’s sympathies for the
Confederates fresh in the American mind.
When any one takes the trouble to remember how
Germany got Kiau-Chau, sympathy with her under Japan's
demand is not over-abundant. But then, bow did all the
Western Powers get Eastern possessions?
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8.—This afternoon President
Wilson issued a proclamation calling upon the people of the
United States to pray for peace in Europe, on Sunday,1
October 4.
LONDON, Sept. 5.—If all reports are true concerning the:
recent successes of the Russians it is scarcely possible to,
exaggerate the importance of the Russian victory in securing i
control of the entire province of Galicia. It is also reported
today that they have captured and now occupy the city of
Cernowiteh, in the province of Bukowina, south of the eastern
portion of Galicia.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.—Word has been received here
that the British authorities have directed that no British
passenger ships plying between England and the United
states shall carry guns.
LONDON, Sept. 4.—Lord Asquith attended a meeting
this afternoon at Guild Hall which was being held to
encourage enlistments. He made an address and declared
that he would rather see Great Britain blotted from history
th.an to be a silent witness to Germany’s triumph of force over
law and freedom.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.—This afternoon President
Wilson again appeared before a joint meeting of Congress and
delivered an address. lie requested that Congress enact
legislation such as would impose a war tax to raise $10(1,000,000
annually. He said that the August revenues had fallen off
nearly $1.1,000,000, due largely to the dec rease in importations
on account of the war. He further added that he did not favor
the issuing of bonds. The message was listened to with much
interest and immediately ideas were discussed as to the best
way of securing the desired result.
ANTIVART r,~- * 7_—Tliis morning a bombardment of
the fortifications of the bay of Cattaro began by a large French
fleet. Cattaro is the chief town of a circle in the Austrian
kingdom of Dalmatia, situated on a ledge of the beautiful inlet
of the Adriatic. It is strongly fortified towards both the sea
and the land.
PARIS, Sept. 2.—The frequency with which German
airships circle about this city is an indication that a strict
watch is being kept on all movements going on here for the
protection of the city in the event of a siege. This morning
•another German monoplane dropped two more bombs that
landed on the streets and did but little damage.
PARIS, Sept. 2.—All French territorial reservists in
France have been called to colors, with the 'idea of largely
increasing the army.
ANTWERP, Sept. 2.—Zeppelin machines have been
bombarding the suburbs of the city this afternoon, but thus
far very little damage has been done.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—A dispatch from Varona says it is
an accepted fact that the Turkish government, headed by
General Aday Adinbey has been installed at Albany. i
Why Not Invest?
With the building of the government railroad from
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina
is assured.
Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there
are many desirable ones remaining.
A few months later lots in Chtiina will he held at
largely increased values. Why not invest NOW?
GEO. C. HAZELET,
Agent Cliitina Townsite Company.
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNa
Xo more need to carry
STOVES and TIN WAKE
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
Qiitina GRILL
.
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Seivice.
* Next to Cliitina Hotel.
CHITIXA : : : ALASK.1
I
0. ADRIAN NELSON
U. S. Mineral Surveyor
v
CHITINA ■ - - ALASKA
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“Pointer* for Amateurs” will help you to better
pictures—it’s free, bend us you. films for develop
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any size; printing, 5c up. Cash with order. You’ll
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AND:
MEAT MARKET
We have a big line of Sec
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HAV, BRAN, OATS, CHOPS,
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Ail outside .001113
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Rooms and suites are particu
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Very desirable for families or
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