FIFTH YEAK
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1915.
NUMBER 27
EUROPEAN WAR
< > j
<
LONDON, April 20.—A Gennan submarine torpedoed the
British Trawler Vanilla and in a short time she sank. When
another trawler sought to rescue the crew she was fired upon
and had to seek safety in flight. In the meantime the crew
perished. • - ' \
PARIS; April 20:—Two Turkish torpedo boat destroyers
were blown up this morning. They were passing through a
mine belt which the Russian ships had laid across the entrance
to the Straits of Bosphorus.
LONDON, April 19.—A Turkish torpedo boat destroyer
on the coast of Scio attacked the British transport Manitou,
but in turn was driven ashore by British boats. The Manitou
lost 100 men by drowning, as they jumped into the water as
soon as the transport was attacked.
WASHINGTON, April 19.—Commander Irwin, of the
cruiser New Orleans, who had been ordered to make an investi
gation of the reported activity of the Japanese on the coast o'
Lower California, wired to'the navy department that the
reports that the Japanese were fixing up a naval base at Turtle
bay is untrue.
LONDON, April 17.—The unprecedented activity upon the
part of the aerial arms of the Germans as well as the allies,
give promise that one of the deadly periods of the war is close
at hand. The long talked of occupation of the allies of the
Yytilene Islands is said to be imminent.
LONDON, April 17.—This afternoon German aeroplanes
continue to fly over Selby, near Yorkshire, although bombs
were not dropped.
LONDON, April 17.—The expected night raid by German
aeroplanes on the British Isles did not materialize. A sharp
lookout is being kept over London and other cities.
PARIS, April 17.—Advices received today state that
several bombs were dropped over the city of Amiens, in the
northern part of France. Very little damage resulted to
property and no one was injured.
BERLIN, April 17.—A French aeroplane dropped bombs
over Rottwell, in the effort to destroy the large powder factory
there. Several people were killed as a result of the bomb
explosions, but they did not reach the powder buildings, so no
damage was done to them.
WASHINGTON, April 16.—The report is again being
circulated that certain American firms are shipping sub
marines in sections to Canada.
VIENNA, April 17.—An official statement was issued
today to the effect that the former victories of the Russians iu
the Carpathian mountains have been turned to a final repulse.
The Germans had sent large reinforcements from the western
battle line and East Prussia to aid the Austrians. That their
combined efforts were successful in repulsing the enemy is
officially admitted. The statement given out states that the
most gigantic battle in history resulted in the complete defeat
of the Russians in their attempt to cross the Carpathian
mountains.
ROME, April 17.—Advices received here this morning
state that Bulgaria is about ready to enter the war, on the side
of the ti’iple entente.
PARIS, April 17.—While the Germans were attempting to
retake Leseparges ten men were killed and several were
wounded.
CONSTANTINOPLE, April 17.—A hostile Ironclad that
had been bombarding the outer forts of the Dardanelles, was
seriously damaged this afternoon. Guns from the land did
considerable damage and the vessel was in flames as she
steamed back towards the entrance of the straits.
WASHINGTON, April 17.—The government is not
inclined to credit the reports generally circulated that the
Japanese were arranging to establish a naval base on the
western Mexican coast.
PARIS, April 17.—Advices from Rome indicate that
Italy’s entrance into the war would probably hasten Austria
into making a sudden attack. Preparations are making in
anticipation of this attack.
BERLIN, April 17.—It is reported that this afternoon
Grand Duke Nicholas was shot in the abdomen and seriously
wounded, while in a heated quarrel with Baron Sievers.
BERLIN, April 17.—Ten British officers, including a son
of a former British ambassador, have been sent here to undergo
solitary confinement. This punishment is in a measure a
reprisal for the treatment given by Great Britain of the
> German submarine crews.
VANCOUVER, B. C., April 17.—Foes of England, either
passengers or crews, will be arrested and taken from vessels
calling at Dominion ports.
NEW YORK, April 17.—Former President Huerta of
Mexico, who is still in this city, today denied that he ever gave
the Japanese a naval base in Lower California.
WASHINGTON, April 17.—Admiral Howard has sent the
cruiser New Orleans to Lower California, to investigate the
report of Japanese activities along that coast.
BUDAPEST, April 16.—It is asserted that the Russians
lost 50,000 men killed and 10,000 taken prisoners in the
Carpathian mountains since the battle started there in
January.
NEWPORT NEWS, April 16.—Provisions to last four
days have been taken aboard the German cruiser Kronprinz
Wilhelm, the raider which has sunk 14 ships in the South
Atlantic since she sailed from New York last August.
ALASKA RAILROAD
rL
WASHINGTON, April 20.—In an interview today Thomas
Riggs, Jr., a member of the Alaska Engineering Commission,
stated that the construction of railroad from Ship Creek will
tap the main line, which will be an extension of the Alaskr
Northern from its present terminus at Kern Creek, or Mile
72, north toward the Nenana river. He predicts that there
will be great development along the line that will run south
from Ship Creek towards Seward. 9
Mr. Riggs states that in order to get into the Bering River
coal fields the Commission will make a a definite survey from
Mile 38 on the Copper River & Northwestern Railway. This
will provide a means of getting this valuable coal to the sea
board by a government line from the mines and then over
the present railroad to deep water at Cordova, whence it can
be shipped to the states.
Mr. Riggs further made a statement that will relieve any
anxiety that may be felt at Fairbanks. He says that the people
of that city need have no fear that the government will not'
extend the railroad to Fairbanks. No definite location had been
fixed for the line from the Nenana river, because there are
several routes that may be followed and the particular one has
not yet been chosen.
He adds that this summer the commission will continue
its surveys from Nenana to Fairbanks, with a view to sub
mitting- an additional report to the President for the selection
of a road to the Yukon. He says that it is not expected that
the government road will be extended farther to the interior
than Fairbanks, for the present.
WASHINGTON, April 14.—It was announced today from
the office of the Alaska Engineering Commission that surveys
will be made this summer to determine how best to get out the
Bering River coal by rail. Survey parties will be put out
within the next month to do this work. One party will make a
survey from Mile 38 on the Copper River & Northwestern
Railway, and another from Controller bay. A preliminary
survey was made by the engineers last fall from Mile 38 over
a section of the proposed route to Bering River fields. The
short route from Mile 38 is an additional 38 miles via Lake
Charlotte. Another route frpm I£,le 38 is via Katalla, with 55
miles extension. A road previously surveyed by private parties
from Controller Bay to the Bering River fields is 25 miles in
length, but it has been estimated that a breakwater to cost over
$2,000,000 would be necessary at Controller Bay.
WASHINGTON, April 14.—At a meeting of the Cabinet
today the various phases of the Alaska coal question were
considered with reference to supplying the demands of the
navy. It was decided to make a thorough investigation of all
coal districts. That of course includes the Bering river, from
which adverse reports were received from certain tests made.
It has been represented that these tests were not a fair indica
tion of the coal in that field, which Dr. Brooks contends is
almost as valuable as the Matanuska coal, which has been found
to be exceptionally fine for use on battleships. It is confidently
believed by officials in the department of mines that another
test of the Bering coal under more favorable conditions will
result in an entirely different verdict.
SEATTLE, April 14.—This morning the Post-Intelligencer
has a leading editorial entitled, “Cordova, Too,” in dealing
with the announcement made by Geo. W. Perkins at New York,
with reference to the railroad situation in Alaska. The article
in part says, “It means that Alaska will have two great sea
ports for the handling of their business to the interior, and two
great forces of development will work concurrently in the
upbuilding of the rich northern territory.”
The tenor of the article assumes early activity upon the
part of the Morgan-Guggenheim interests in the expansion of
the Copper River & Northwestern Railway. It infers that
soon the two great sections of Alaska, to the east and west, will
be under greater development because of the network of rail
roads that will give access to localities not now easily available.
The prediction is made that Cordova will become a leading
seaport town.
WASHINGTON, April 17.—William C. Edes, chairman of
the Alaska Engineering Commission, not now in the city, sends
word that he would address letters to western senators and
congressmen advising against any encouragement for idle men
to stampede to Alaska. He states that there will be very little
work done this year in the way of railroad construction and
that there will only be need for a comparatively few men. And
these he believes can be largely secured in Alaska. Chairman
Edes has been daily importuned by congressmen to secure
places for constituents and he has been compelled to practically
decline all of these requests. He now wishes the statesmen to
assist him in preventing a useless stampede to the northland,
as he fears a result that would be' embarrassing to the
government.
WASHINGTON, April 17.—Announcement was made this
afternoon by the Secretary of Commerce that on May 1st work
would commence on the construction of a lighthouse and fog
station at Cape St. Elias, situated on the south end of Kayak
Island. For years there was an insistent demand for an
appropriation to establish this safeguard to navigation for the
vessels that run particularly to Prince William Sound ports.
Now that provision has been made by Congress to do the work,
it will be rushed with all possible speed.
EH OF 1 tit
LONDON, April 16.—The greatest excitement prevails
over the loss last night of the Netherlands steamer Katwick.
She was bound from Baltimore to Rotterdam, loaded with
corn and consigned to the Netherlands government. While
anchored at the Northhinder lightship in the North Sea, a
submarine, supposed to be German, approached and began
sending torpedoes without any warning into the steamer.
Boats were immediately gotten out and the crew was saved,
but they had a narrow escape.
BERLIN, April 16.—The government ordered an investi
gation today of the torpedoing of the steamer Katwick.
THE HAGUE, April 16.—This country is stirred to the
highest pitch by the destruction of the Katwick, which is
considered inexcusable. An investigation will be made by the
government regarding the identity and nationality of the
submarine.
LONDON, April 1(5.—Late this afternoon the German
Aeroplanes began dropping bombs on Kent, thirty miles from
this city. Bombs were also dropped on Faversham and
Sittingbourne. Fears are expressed for the famous cathedral
at Canterbury, and it is also likely that London will be
attacked.
LONDON, April 16.—Two Zeppelins visited the east coast
ot hngland at midnight and dropped bombs in several towns,
doing considerable damage to property. A German aeroplane
raid over this city is expected during the day and a sharp
look-out is being maintained.
BASEL, April 16.—French aviators were flying over
towns in Baden this afternoon and dropping bombs, some of
which proved destructive.
PARIS, April 16.—It is reported that last night French
airmen bombarded Meziers and Ostend, both of which towns
are in possession of the Germans.
AMSTERDAM, April 16.—It is understood here that the
German embassy at Rome has asked the Belgium government
whether that country will remain neutral if Germany
evacuates Belgium territory. If this report be true, which is
generally credited, it is regarded as significant upon the part
of Gennany.
liCfME, April 16.—Italy has a million and two hundred
thousand soldiers under arms, with active preparations for
war going on. The soldiers are from 20 to 26 years of age.
NEW CASTLE, Eng., April 15.—Zeppelins raided the
Tyne industrial district last night, dropping many bombs,
but there was no loss of life reported.
LONDON, April 15.—In addressing the House of
Commons today Harold J. Tennant, under Secretary of War,
stated that the total British casualties up to April 11, and since
the war started, aggregated 138,.'147.
LONDON, April 15.—The British steamship Ptarmigan
was attacked last night in the North Sea by a German
submarine. After sending several torpedoes into her the
steamship gradually disappeared from view. There was so
little time for the crew to get off that eleven perished.
WASHINGTON, April 15.—An official statement was
authorized today by the Japanese embassy. In it is charac
terized as preposterous the reports that a naval base had been
established at Turtle Bay, in Lower California. It was
further declared that there never has been any intention on
the part of the Japanese government to locate a naval base or
to occupv any territory on the west coast of Mexico.
CONSTANTINOPLE, April 14.—The war department has
announced that the patrol ships of the enemy has bombarded,
unsuccessfully, the batteries at the exit of the Dardanelles.
Announcement is made that Turkey is well pleased with the
situation.
LONDON, April 14.—The Daily Mail’s correspondent at
Rome wires that after prolonged negotiations, Italy has agreed
with the entente powers to support Servia’s claims to an outlet
on the Adriatic Sea.
LONDON, April 14.—Thirty thousand women have regis
tered themselves for special war services. Six thousand agree
to take the places of men in the armanent factories.
LONDON, April 14.—Parliament reassembled today with
a large attendance. Measures concerning the war and also
the question of prohibition will be first considered.
CONSTANTINOPLE, April 15.—Although the Allies
have renewed their attacks on the Dardanelles they are being
resisted from the land forts with such substantial effect that
the war office last evening gave out very encouraging hopes
that the enemy will never be able to encompass the fall of
Constantinople. .It is pointed out that play after play for the
city was made on the checkerboard of European politics, and,
in 1878, Russian armies advanced to the fortress of the city,
blit it was saved through the machinations of European
diplomatic jealousy—England refusing to permit Slav
agression against the Sultan.
From the day that the Russian army withdrew from its
position, the Constantinople government devoted its efforts to
a steady, constant policy of fortification. The most modern
war machinery, including the heaviest guns and the most
sturdy fortifications, were placed at the Dardanelles, entrance
and at strategic points along the Sea of Marmora, the Bos
phorus and the Golden Horn. The passage of a hostile fleet
through the Dardanelles has been considered impossible.
Geographically, its attack from the west seemed impossible,
even by the heaviest guns of modern dreadnaughts.