FIFTH YEAR
CHITIXA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23,1915.
NUMBER 19
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BERLIN, Feb. 23.—It was reported late this afternoon
that the American steamship Carib had been sunk by a mine
off the German possessions in the North Sea. She carried
cotton for Bremen. There was no mention made of the fate
of the crew. -- ~ -
LONDON, Feb. 23.—The Germans have again caused
destruction on the high seas, and British vessels were the
victims. The steamships Highland Brae, Hemisphere and
Polaro, and the sailing ships Sumatra and Wilfred, were all
sunk in the Atlantic ocean bv the cruiser battleship Karlsruhe.
The information was received yesterday of the destruction.
LONDON, Feb. 23.—The Norwegian steamer Regin, laden
with ccal for Bordeaux, was this morning torpedoed and sunk
off Dover. Efforts to save the crew were successful.
LONDON, Feb. 23.—The Russian tenth army is now
standing at bay along a line of the Narew. Bohr and Nieman
rivers, which is just within Russian territory.
BREMEN, Feb. 22.—The American steamship Evelyn,
laden with cotton on her voyage from New York to Bremen,
struck a mine off Borkum Island, North Sea. and was sunk, ft
was with difficultv that her crew was saved.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.—William T. Fee. consul at
Bremen, made an official report ot the blowing up oi the
Evelyn. A conference immediately followed between Presi
dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan. The latter then issued
directions to Ambassador Walter H. Page, at London, and
Ambassador James W. Gerard at Berlin, to make exhaustive
inquiries concerning the blowing up. While the announcement
caused considerable of a sensation in officialdom it is conceded
informally that if the cause of the sinking-was a mine, there
will probably be no ground for diplomatic action upon the part
of the United States.
LOXDOX, Feb. 22.—Many heartrending stories of the
dire poverty throughout Belgium are heard daily. The rich
and poor have been affected and the number of destitue is
alarming.'1 Even in court circles there is great distress. This
was illustrated, on Saturday when the Queen of Belgium
borrowed a quarter of million dollars on her jewels.
LOXDOX, Feb. 20.—Another marine victory is reported
for the Germans. The British steamship Cambank was tired
upon by German submarines. The torpedoes soon took effect
and the vessel was sunk off Holly Head. This location is in
the Irish sea. about 75 miles out of Liverpool.
LOXDOX, Feb. 20.—The Norwegian tank steamship
Belvidge, on her way from New Orleans was sunk yesterday off
Dover. It was reported that she had struck a mine. Investi
gation has proved that this was incorrect. The Admiralty
announces that the steamship was torpedoed by German
submarines and was sunk because of that reason, jind that she
did not come into cantact with mines.
COPENHAGEN, Feb. 20.—The Norwegian steamship
Bjorke was sunk by a mine in the North Sea. She had no
passengers and it was only with the greatest difficulty that her
crew was saved.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.—Another protest has been
received at the state department. This time it is from Ger
many and Austria. They have just lodged a charge that
submarines are being built in the LTiited States for Great
Britain. It is explained that the vessels are being built here
and then shipped in parts to Canada, where they are to be set
up and completed.
WASHIXGTOX, Feb. 20.—Secretary of State Bryan has
received the text of Great Britain’s reply regarding the raising
of the American flag on her vessels while in the war zone. It
states that while commanders of British merchantment will
not be ordered to use the American flag, yet it will be difficult
to stop the practice entirely.
PEKIN, Feb. 20.—Discussion continues of the demands
made on China, and gradually these are being made public. It
was learned today that one of the important requirements of
Japan was that no island, port or harbor on the Chinese coast
be ceded or leased to a third party.
THE HAGLTE, Feb. 19.—Netherlands has announced that
if any Dutch vessel is sunk in the war zoue Germany would be
held responsible. It is reported that Zeppelins are doing close
patrol duty overhauling vessels in the war zone and compelling
all to disclose their identity.
LONDON, Feb. 19.—There has undoubtedly been a hard
’ fight in the province of Bukowina, to the east of Hungary. The
Russians had previously captured most of the territory but all
reports now agree that the Austrians have again regained
control of the province bv driving out the enemy.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.—The Standard Oil Co. steamer
Onek, bound for Bulgaria, is reported as having been seized in
Malta channel, off Sicily, by British warships.
LONDON, Feb. 19.—The British government announced
late this afternoon that (he steamer Wilhelmina would be held
subect to the decision of the prize court.
DIPPE, Feb. 19.—This piorning without any warning a
^ German submarine torpedoed the French merchantman
Dinorah. She was lying off this city unsuspecting the presence
of the enemy when the torpedoes began to hit her sides.
LIVERPOOL, Feb. 19.—The Norwegian tank steamship
Belvidge, from New Orleans, struck a mine off Dover this
looming. Soon she began to sink but efforts to get off the crew
were successful.
s
V 1
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.—It was announced this morning
that the report of the Alaska Engineering Commission had
been completed and that it was now in the hands of the
President. The latter however has intimated that he will not
make public the report or announce the route selected until just
before adjournment of Congress on March 4, or possibly not
until just after. Impartial observers here are largely of the
opinion, from various “leaks,” that the President has now
decided on the route. And it is generally believed that the new
government railroad will run from Seward to Susitna, with a
branch line to the Matanuska coal fields, on through Broad
Pass to the Tanana River at the mouth of Nenana.
The Senate passed the civil sundry bill on Saturday
evening. There had been good reaspn for the administration
| to hope that the $2,000,000 passed by the House would be
j raised to four or five million. But when Secretary Lane
! started for the San Francisco exposition a week ago he
expressed a fear that the effort to raise the amount would not
be successful. There was no attempt made to increase the
amount in the Senate on Saturday. If Secretary Lane had
hoped to purchase both the Copper River & Northwestern Rail
way and the Alaska Northern, as there are many evidences
that he did, there are many things to indicate that he had not
won President Wilson entirely to his way of thinking.
It is bluntly apparent that the President has been affected
by the campaign to purchase the Morgan-Guggenheim railroad,
because of the opposition that it has brought forth. However
it is not yet certain that the purchase of both roads has been
dropped. It is regarded as significant that Tom Riggs, a
member of the Engineering Commission, spent several days
here last week and was consulted by representatives of the
President.
bmce the failure of the Senate to increase the railroad
appropriation it is now accepted that the only railroad con
i struetion this year wall he from the westward into the
j lY’atanuska coal fields. Work will first start at Ship Creek, and
i if the Alaska Northern is taken over reconstruction work will
I also commence on that line. The starting- of a new national
bank at Seward bv the Harriman interests, to be used as a
government depository, is a significant move that lends color
to the report of construction in the western part of Prince
I William Sound. Sidney B. Gordon, the confidential stenog
rapher of Comptroller of the Currency John Skelton Wliliams,
i has resigned his position to become assistant cashier of the
Reward National Bank, of which Jos. W. Harriman, cf New
York, is president.
!
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.—There is every reason to believe
that the various needs of Alaska will be more favorably and
generously considered by the Senate than they were by the
House. The sundry civil bill, which passed the House a few
; days ago, is now being considered by the Senate appropriations
committee. In it are various appropriations for Alaska, which
i are being increased by the committee.
The coast survey appropriation has been raised to $225,000.
This will permit $60,000 instead of $40,000 being spent for wire
I drags to be used in locating obstacles to navigation in the
i Alaskan inland waters. It also insures the placing at work next
j summer of two parties, instead of one as was contemplated
! under the House bill.
The above work lias been strongly urged by Secretary
Redfield, who secured the co-operation of the Pacific Coast
| senators and representatives to aid hi min a fight for the larger
] appropriations. He has also been successful in securing a
! larger amount for the maintenance and protection of Alaska
J fisheries.
The recent report of Dr. E. Lester Jones, deputy commis
j sioner of the Bureau of Fisheries, who spent five months last
season in Alaska, was a strong factor in having the committee
; raise the Alaskan appropriation from $60,000 to $75,000. It is
also provided that $5,000 of this amount shall be immediately
j available after the passage of the bill.
SAX FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.—This city is today all agog
with excitement, which started last night and has’ seen no
cessation since. At daylight the whistles from every quarter
broke the quiet of the early morn and the populace began to
get astir. Later there was a series of artillery salutes and the
people began to throng the streets. The great day for which
such elaboratae plans had been made was here. And in a short
time it seemed as though all San Francisco was pressing
towards 1 an Ness avenue. A line was formed, headed by
Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane, as a representative
of President "W ilson. IV ith him were Governor Johnson,
Mayor Rolfe, and President of the Exposition Moore. A move
was then made toward the vast area covered by the buildings
that go to make the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
Arriving at the grounds all these gentlemen made appropriate
addresses and then a button was touched at Washington by
President Wilson and at 9 o’clock the wonderful $50,000,000
exposition was on in full swing. People scattered in all
directions and thronged the various buildings. And there was
much to see as 41 foreign nations, 43 states and 3 territories
were represented in exhibits that were novel and interesting.
EVENTS OF THE ~
COPENHAGEN, Feb. 23.—It now seems certain that there
is about to be an attack made on Turkey, 'l'lie Russians are
concentrating large forces at the seaport town of Odessa, in
readiness so that they can ship them by steamer across the
Black Sea to Midi ah. From there they would go overland and
make an attack on Constantinople.
I HE HAGUE, b eb. 23.—There is a feeling of great
uncertainty throughout Holland lest war be declared. Germany
has not replied to the Dutch note of protest concerning the sea
zone. '1 lie delay is considered ominous.
PARIS, Feb. 19.—In addressing the Chamber of Deputies
lalst night the Premier gave some idea of the intentions of his
government when he declared, “France is determined to bring
restoration of normal conditions in Belgium by driving from
her territory the devastating enemy that has wantonly killed
and laid the land in ruin. It is also the intention to retake the
piovincos of Alsace ami Lorraine. I liese former provinces of
France were taken by the German empire in the war of 1870,
but a large part of the people have since remained loyal to
France.
M ASI1TXGT0X. I* eb. 19.—The fear of complications
because of Germany s stand ori its war zone proclamation has
caused much apprehension in official Washington.
PARIS, Feb. 19.—The cancellation of sailing vessels has
caused much apprehension and anxiety upon the part of a large
number of Americans who are marooned here. Scores are
anxious to return because of the urgent call of business.
Ambassador Page at London has been appealed to.
LONDON, Feb. 19.—During the past twenty-four hours a
severe storm has been raging over the North Sea. In spite of
the storm many Zeppelins have been flying about searching for
food laden ships headed for England.
M ASHINGTOX, Feb. 19.—The state department has been
ad\ ised that all travel between England and the continent has
been suspended by order of the British admiralty.
BERLIN, Feb. 18.—A reply has been cabled in code by
Germany, in answer to the protest upon the part of the United
States. It is stated that Germany is friendly but firmly main
tains . - announced positon with reference to its war zone
I proclamation, in the North Sea, which is now effective.
Geimany recommends that the I nited States send warships
to convoy vessels through the war zone, with the under
standing that the vessels so guarded shall carry no war
supplies.
YORK, Feb. 18.—The steamship companies here
I opeiating trans-Atlantic liners have been advised from London
! that swift British and French torpedo boat destroyers will
i meet all threatened steamships flying the flag of any of the
| allied countries, and escort them into port.
HAMBURG, Feb. 18.—There is a well authenticated
report that the Kaiser is soon to return from East Prussia and
go to Heligoland. The lattre is a German base of supplies on
an island in the North Sea and not far from the mouth of the
River Elbe, on which Hamburg is located. It is said that from
this vantage location the Kaiser will personally direct the
submarine blockade that it is expected will be made effective
and disastrous.
BERLIN, Feb. 18.—The Emperor, who is now at the front
in East Prussia, has wired word that the Russian prisoners
are to be set free. The question of feeding these men is
becoming a serious one.
TOKYO, Feb. 18.—Information has been received here
that there is a revolt among the British Hindu soldiers at
Singapore. It is said to be serious.
BERLIN, Feb. 17.—Reply has been made by Germany to
the l nited States protest against the war zone proclamation.
The document has been handed to Ambassador Gerard but its
contents will first be made known by the American government.
HA\ RE, Feb. 17.—Another British collier has been
destroyed by a German submarine. It was the Dulwich and it
was off Cape Delaheve when attacked by the submarine. The
crew was able to escape but the collier soon went to the bottom
of the sea.
BUENOS AYRES, Feb. 17.—Several British steamships
have been sent to the bottom by some German warships. The
names are not known, but the meagre information comes from
the German steamship Spolger, which is now headed for this
city. She lias on board the crews of several of the sunken
vessels.
LONDON, Feb. 17.—Battles are again fiercely raging
between the allies and the Germans in both France and
Belgium. The French and British have been massing their
forces and are now making vicious attacks on the enemy. The
German war office has sent out a statement that the attacks on
their forces are being repulsed, but advices here indicate that
the Germans are gradually being forced from their positions.
BERLIN, Feb. 17.—In the recent Mazurian Lake battles,
both sides lost heavily, but the enemy suffered most. Over
50,000 Russians were captured toward the end of the engage
ments.
BERLIN, Feb. 17.—There has been a renewal of hostilities
in the province of Bukowina, east of Hungary. The Russians
had made great inroads in both Galicia and Bukowina. This
afternoon it is reported that the Russian army in Bukowina
has been enveloped by Austrians, hemming in large forces
between the city of Petroutz and the river Sereth.