FIFTH YEAR
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16,1915.
NUMBER 18
EUROPEAN WAR
FALMOUTH, Feb. 11.—This morning the cargo of the
American steamer Wilhelmina was seized here by British
authorities. This action was taken in accordance with a
decision of the foreign office, and the cargo is to go to the prize
court. The cargo of the Wilhelmina was consigned to an agent
of a St. Louis commission house in Germany. The statement
is made that every effort will be put forth to prevent the food
from getting to the German army.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.—The state department has con
cluded that the Wilhelmina case must be allowed to take its
normal course. This involves going to the prize court, because
of the issues raised by Great Britain’s contention. That
country maintains that Germany has justified the seizure of the
Wilhelmina’s cargo by its decree which warrants the appro
priation of home grain supply.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.—The United States has warned
Great Britain that the general use of the American flag by
British vessels will be viewed with grave concern here.
Germany has also been warned that the destruction by Ger
many of any American vessels in the newly prescribed war
zone would lead to serious complications. The above is the text
of two notes that were sent last night by the state department
to Great Britain and Germany. It is said that they expressed
much more emphatically than had been generally known, the
displeasure of the United States.
BERLIN, Feb. 16.—An official statement issued today
expresses the belief that Great Britain, in order to bring con
flict between Germany and neutral powers, will purposely
sink one or more neutral ships. They will take advantage of
the war zone proclamation to seek tojielp their cause. Notwith
standing all of Great Britain’s reputed command of the seas
reports indicate that the food question in the United Kingdom
is forcing itself upon public attention. The General Federa
tion of Trades Unions lias issued an appeal to the government
to take over all wheat supplies as has been done in Germany.
ROTTERDAM, Feb. 16.—The Chamber of Commerce this
afternoon received a note from the German Chancellor to the
effect that the German submarines were unable to distinguish
between British ships, and neutrals. The Chamber was advised
that all merchantmen! rnn tire risk of destruction if they entor
the war zone.
LONDON, Feb. 16.—According to present expectations a
prohibition against breadstuffs destined for Germany will b ,
formally proclaimed by Great Britain either tonight or
tomorrow. It is also stated that government retaliatory
measures against the threatened submarine agencies will go
into immediate effect.
BERLIN, Feb. 16.—A report received here today from
Sofia tells of what is believed to have been a political act that
has caused much consternation there. Last night a masked
ball was held, attended by the most exclusive society of the
Bulgarian capital. When all was at its gayest there was an
explosion of a bomb, resulting in the wildest disorder and the
most intense excitement. Two members of Sofia’s aristocracy
were killed and ten others were injured.
LONDON, Feb. 16.—Reports concerning the engagements
in the west and the fight between the Russians and Germans
indicate that neither side has gained much advantage during
the past 24 hours. The Germans have retained their slight
advance in western Belgium.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—The German Ambasador this
afternoon presented to the state department a note from his
government. It announces that Germany is ready to consider
receding from its announced intention of attacking British
merchantmen if Great Britain will withdraw its efforts to
prevent foodstuffs from going to Germany for the civilian
population.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.—There has been a general
discussion today of the reply to the American note sent by
Germany m the matter of the zone proclamation. More of the
contents were made public. The reply contained this signifi
cant expression:
BERLIN, Feb. 13.—The war office announced that British
aviators had again dropped bombs along the Belgium coast. It
is stated that these caused considerable damage to the civilian
population, but that they resulted in only slight military losses.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—Norway, Sweden and Denmark
* have protested to Germany against the sea war zone that has
been established. They contend that it is a serious menace to
commerce.
BERLIN, Feb. 13.—The Russian aggressive movement
which has been under way a couple of days in the Mazurian
lakes district, has had a complete check. General Von
Hindenberg withdrew a large part of his men in the Warsaw
district and made valiant battle against the enemy. The result
was highly satisfactory and this evening the Germans are
generally celebrating the big victory that they have just won
against the Russians.
^ BERLIN, Feb. 13.—The Russians massed some of their
forces in the north and again on the Vistula River near the
Russian line. They then assayed to make a drive against the
towns of Koenigsburg, on the Gulf of Danzig, and Thorn, on the
Vistula. The Germans put up a fierce resistance and drove the
enemy from German territory. Some dispatches describe the
^retreat of the Russians as very near a rout.
DO MUD DM 1ET
WASHINGTON, Peb. 16.—Another instance came to
light yesterday indicating that the government includes in its
railway plans for Alaska the taking over of the Copper River
& Northwestern Railway and the Alaska Northern. George
Rublee, of New Hampshire, was yesterday afternoon appointed
as cotinsel for the Alaska Engineering Commission. It was
learned that this attorney has already been examining the title
claimed to be held by the parties who last September offered
to sell the Alaska Northern to the government. Others have
since claimed to control this railroad. There is no question as
to the title to the Cordova railroad, but it has been considered
necessary to have consul to look into various legal aspects of
a transfer to the government in the preliminary arrangements
that must be agreed to. The new appointee is said to be a
brother of the late Wm. A. Rublee, who was consul-general to
Hongkong when he died in 1910. After announcement was
made of the appointment of counsel, Senator James A. Reed,
Democrat of Missouri, while debating over the trade commis
sion bill, branded Rublee as “a tireless lobbyist.”
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—There is a growing feeling
that it is the intention of the government to purchase both the
Copper River & Northwestern Railway and the Alaska
Northern. It develops that when Secretary Lane recently
concluded his testimony before +he appropriations committee
he made this significant statement: “ft is not contemplated, at
least not in m3' mind, to build a railroad competing with either
of the existing railroads in Alaska, unless we find that they are
not reasonable as to terms.” That is regarded as a pretty
broad intimation {hat the government intends to buy.
I
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.—Alaska railroad construction
was in danger yesterday afternoon in the House of Represen
tatives. A strong effort was made to cut out the appropriation
oi $2,000,000 that was favorably reported in the sundry civil
bill. It was contended that the finances of the government
were not in such condition as to warrant the commencement of
extensive railroad construction in Alaska. *
A spirited fight against the' appropriation was led by S. J.
Tribble, of Georgia. He was ably assisted by James S. Daven
port, ot Oklahoma, Frederick H. Gillette, of Massachusetts, and
dkas. L. Bartlett, oi Georgia. Gillette and Davenport are
members of the Appropriations committee. All these men, with
the exception of Davenport, sought to strike the entire
$2,000,000 from the sundry civil bill. Representative Davenport
was willing to allow $1,000,000 to remain.
The appropriation was ably defended by John J. Fitz
gerald, of New York, chairman of the Appropriations
committee; William C. Houston, of Tennessee, chairman of the
Territories committee; James R. Mann, of Illinois, the Repub
lican floor leader; William H. Stafford, of Wisconsin; Swagar
Sherley, of Kentucky; J. A. Falconer and Jas. W. Bryan, of
Washington; James Wickersham, of Alaska. The latter made
a particularly strong speech in favor of retaining the
$2,1)00,000 in the bill. When the vote was taken to eliminate
the appropriation the motion lost.
It is expected that the oppositon will make another fight
in the Senate. In the meantime if the administration should
receive sufficient assurances of support it is indicated that an j
effort may be made to seek to have the appropriation raised
to $5,000,000. This, however, is not considered very likely.
This afternoon the House passed the sundry civil bill,
carrying appropriations of $126,000,000, of which amount
$2,000,000 is for the Alaska railroad with over $700,000 addi
tional for Alaska purposes as follows:
Construction of two vessels for the coast service, $289,000;
additional wire drags to be used in locating obstacles to navi
gation in the inland waters, $35,000; for the care and protection
of the fisheries, $29,000; maintenance of the seal rookeries and
expenses incident thereto, $65,000; additional sum necessary to
continue the construction of the public building at Juneau,
$75,000; education of the natives, $200,000; maintaining the
reindeer and for game and liquor regulation, $40,000.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.—The friends of Alaska are
doomed to another temporary disappointment. Nearly every
day for a week past there has been an expectation that the
report of the Alaska Engineering Commission would be made
public. Today it was stated from authoritative sources that
the report would not be completed and forwarded until the
sundry civil service bill had been disposed of.
This bill carries a provision for the appropriation of
$2,000,000 to start railroad construction in Alaska, which sum
will be used during the ensuing year, there having been serious
oppositon to granting any larger appropriation at this time.
Until this bill is out of the way the report of the Alaska
Engineering Commission will not be given to the public.
On Monday next Secretary of the Interior Lane will leavo
for San Francisco, to represent the President at the formal
opening of the Panama exposition. He is not expected back
until the end of the month. It is now generally believed that
the presentation of the engineers’ report will be deferred until
the return of Secretary Lane.
The administration is hopelessly entangled in the fight
over the effort to pass the government ship purchase bill.
EVENTS OFJE BIG UR
OTTAWA, Feb. 15.—Last night the appearance of three
hostile aeroplanes, flying in the direction of Ottawa, were
reported to Premier Ried. He immediately gave warning to
the people and the lights in the Parliament building, the mint,
and the governor general’s residence were doused. The
example was followed in all homes and other places and it is
believed that this precaution saved some damage, as no bombs
were dropped.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—Count Von Bernstorff, ambus
sador from Germany, called on Secretary Bryan under instruc
tions from Berlin. He stated that if Great Britain does not
permit the steamship Wilhelmina to go through to Germany
the latter country will take steps that may prove dangerous
to American shipping.
“If such a deplorable situation should arise the German
government can readily appreciate that the United States
government would be constrained to hold Germany to a strict
accountability for such acts of their naval authorities. Also to
take any step that it might consider necessary to safeguard
American lives and property, and to secure to American
citizens a full enjoyment of their acknowledged rights on the
high seas. Great Britain has been notified that a full measure
of responsibility will lie placed upon her for the use of the
American flag.”
THE HAGUE, Feb. 12.—Henry Van Dyke, minister to the
Hague and also to the Duchy of Luxemburg, has appealed to
the authorities at Washington to stop the Germans from
tampering with his mail and interfering with his official duties.
PETROGRAD, Feb. 12.—The Russians are more than
holding their own in Poland. The terrible loss of life sustained
by the Germans in their efforts to dislodge the enemy have
proven most discouraging to the Kaiser, it is reported. The
evacuation by the Germans yesterday resulted in the Russian*
following the retreaters and administering more punishment.
The battles continue in the Carpathians, with large losses on
both sides, but the Germans are being driven from many of
the mountain passes.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.—A message was today received
from Ambassador Morgenthau from Constantinople, which
confirms the sinking of the American steamship Washington.
It occurred during the bombardment of Trebizono.
5 MUTDEN, Netherlands, Feb. 12.—The British steamship
Laertes, arriving from Java, had her funnel deck shot away by
a German submarine flying the Dutch flag.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.—Tn official circles considerable
significance is given an episode that occurred yesterday
aboard the Mayflower. Viscount Sutemi Cliinda was present
at a dinner given in honor of Admiral Dewey. Many other
notables were aboard. Cliinda is not only Japan’s ambassador
to the United States but he is the representative from that
country to the San Francisco exposition. Tn replying to the
friendly expressions of Secretary Bryan and Secretary Daniels
the Ambassador said that Japan looked to the United States
to settle all troubles. Many of those present interpreted this
remark as applying to the European war.
PARIS, Feb. 11.—Petrograd has confirmed the reports
that the Germans have had a set-back from their advantage
ground southwest of Warsaw. They were compelled to give
way before the terrible onslaughts of the Russians. Early this
morning the Germans were compelled to evacuate Lodz. With
their stores, offices, commisariat and transportation facilities
a hasty removal was made to Kalisz, which is on the western
border line of Poland.
BERLIN, Feb. 11.--The sinking of the American steam
ship Washington in the Black Sea by Russian warships, was
reported this afternoon in semi-official advices from Constan
tinople. The report states that the Washington was sunk while
flying the American flag in the harbor of Trebizondsi.
NEWT YORK, Feb. 11.—The Cunard steamship Orduna,
arriving in port last evening, admitted that while crossing the
Irish Sea the American flag was thrown to the breeze.
PETROGRAD, Feb. 10.—Advices received here this after
noon indicate that by their advance toward Nadvorna and
Kaloza the Austrians and Germans are threatening the Russian
forces in this quarter with the alternative of isolation or com
plete evacuation of the province of Bukowina, in Austria
Hungary. This advance in the Carpathian mountains is being
made in great forces, as reinforcements have been arriving.
The Russians, however, are making a fierce resistance and do
not concede that they can be cut off from supplies and rein
forcements. The battle promises to be a long one.
GENEVA, Feb. 10.—A Zeppelin and its entire crew were
missing for four days. But now it is learned that the airship
was precipitated into the North Sea off Denmark, while a fierce
storm was raging. The entire crew was drowned when the
craft reached the water.
LONDON, Feb. 10.—Great Britain has arranged with the
United States to appoint quartermasters and paymasters on
American going vessels to act as neutral wardens for British
prisoners of war in Germany. The latter country is considering
the proposition.
BERLIN, Feb. 10.—American Ambassador Gerard and a
party of Americans attended a theater last night and were
very much annoyed. The audience was composed almost
entirely of Germans and they launched a tirade against the
United States for permitting the exportation of arms. The
Ambassador and his party retired.