FOURTH YEAR.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1914.
NUMBER 47
PARIS, Sept. 8.—The French and English are engaged in
a fierce battle with the invaders, that is in progress this
afternoon east of the capital. They have taken many prisoners,
including a battalion of German Infantry and a company
serving rapid firing guns. They have alsp captured many gun
carriages. Paris was optimistic this afternoon although there
was some surprise to find that the Germans had been able to
travrse nearly the entire Champigny country. This however,
does not shake their confidence as to the outcome of the great
battle which is now being waged. And it is stated that after
all the maneuvers the battle is being fought on ground selected
by General Joffre. The famous turning movement of the
Germans has finally resulted in a battle, the formation of
which puts their own right in jeopardy. Yesterday’s advance
of the allies left wing proved, as far as may be inferred from
official news, that the army of Paris is acting as an independent
force holding the convex side of a curved battle line, and being
free to menace communication of the enemy.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—The French war office says that the
allies last evening advanced so that their troops came into
touch with the German forces which are covering the River
Ourcy country towards the southwest. The main body of the
German right wing was encountered which resulted in an
engagement that was to the advantage of the French. It is
believed that there was considerable loss of life.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—Dispatches received early this
morning from Paris state that there was a general action
proceeding east of Paris from Manteuil Le Hadouin to Verdun
and Bellines, which spreads for a distance of 120 miles off
Bellines. The engagement follows a general action started on
the line through Manteuil Le Hadouin 25 miles northeast of
Paris to Meoux, Sezanneand, Vitry, LeFrancois and extending
to Verdun. Thanks to vigorous action of the French troops,
strongly supported by the British, the Germans were compelled
to start retiring. They had advanced on Saturday and Sunday
into the region below Coulommiers and Lafere, about 30 miles
distant from Paris.
LONDON, Sept. 8.—A dispatch from Berlin last evening
says that the Germans were attacking the forts of Nancy, and
that the Emperor and his general staff were watching the
operations. Nancy is in F/ance and near the Vosges mountains.
LONDON, Sept. 7.—For spmje unexplained reason the
Germans are delaying their attack on Paris. Yesterday their
gradual retreat for some little distance north occasioned much
speculation, but it is believed that soon there will be a con
centration of the Kaiser’s invading army, which is believed to
be made up of 20 army corps and eight divisions of cavalry,
numbering approximately 2,400,000 men. They may be waiting
for reinforcements before beginning the assault on the outer
defences of Paris.
PARIS, Sept. 5.—The city remains in a state of great
suspense. Tonight it was stated that there had been but little
fighting during the day. The war office announced that the
most important strategical movement of the war was now
taking place within 20 miles of the northern outer fortifications
of the city. A straight attack upon Paris has evidently been
abandoned, as the German columns are veering off to the east
and south.
PARIS, Sept. 5.—The officer in charge of the Bordeaux
war office reports that in Lorraine and the Vosges mountains
the Germans and French have been fighting, with alternate
success. There are large forces on both sides and the French
are determined if possible to keep the enemy from moving on
toward Paris from that side. Farther up in the northern part
of Elsass Lothringen and in the province of Luxemburg the
Germans are accumulating a vast army with the intention of
making a gigantic attack on the French towns of Chalons and
Verdun, the former town being 85 miles due east of Paris.
Farther north, near the Belgium line, the French town of
Mauburge is resisting a prolonged bombardment by the
Germans.
LONDON, Sept. 5.—The Daily Mail’s correspondent at
Gordes, a French town near Beauvais, which is 35 miles north
of Paris, wires that a fierce and bloody battle was fought in
that neighborhood. While the Germans were successful in
their advance they were repulsed so often that their total
losses were near 200,000, while the allies lost but 40,000. The
correspondent declares that the figures named are a conserva
tive estimate of the German losses, which are placed at 10
per cent of their fighting numbers. He declares that it is
because of sheer weight of superipr numbers that the Germans
have pushed forward through France, going some days at the
amazing rate of 20 miles per day. He adds that the Germans
have shown no superiority in artillery maneuvering, but that
the rapidity of their advance has been due largely to their use
of automobiles as a means of transportation for artillery and
ammunition.
LONDON, Sept. 5.—Dispatches received by the Daily
News from Copenhagen state that dispatches have been
received there from Berlin, which indicate that the Germans
are sending large forces of troops eastward to meet the
Russian advance. It is expected that a big battle will be
fought, as the Germans realize the importance of checking
the march of the Russians least they get so strong and close
1»o Berlin that it might be necessary to withdraw troops from
that part of the army that is seeking to capture Paris.
ROME, Sept. 3.—A new Pope has been chosen in the
person of Cardinal Della Chiesa. After the bell had rung and
the great doors to the Sistine Chapel had opened the Senior
Cardinal Dacon appeared and addressed the waiting crowd
thus: “I announce to you a great joy. We have as Pope the
most eminent and most Reverend Della Chiesa, cardinal of the
Holy Roman Church, who has taken the name of Benedictus
XV. Cardinal Chiesa was assistant to Cardinal Merry del Val,
secretary of state. The selection was made on the ninth ballot.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.—The Alaska coal leasing bill
passed the House this afternoon and will now go to the Senate.
The friends of the northland are jubilant, as are also the;
supporters of the administration, as this measure was on the
program urged by the President.
It is expected that this measure will open up to develop
ment some of the 16,000 square miles of coal bearing ground in
Alaska, of which 1,200 miles are claimed to have workable
coal beds, of which 12 per cent is anthracite. There are also
valuable bituminous areas, the most important field being the
Bering river.
In the bill just passed the United States reserves to itself
5,120 acres of this field and 7,680 acres in the Matanuska field.
The leased lands are to be divided into blocks of 40 acres each,
and in no case exceeding 2,560 acres in any one block and these
blocks will be leased through advertising and competitive
bidding. The leasing, it is hoped, has been made in such form
as to permit the most economical mining of the coal.
Provided the combined areas do not exceed 2,560 acre:-:,
there may be new leases for additional lands. There may be
also a consolidation of leases within the 2,560 acres limitation.
The Secretary of the Interior will fix the royalty which shall
not be less than 2c per ton, and the royalty will be turned into a
fund for the benefit of Alaska. The lands withheld for the
United States will be for the purposes of the army, navy, and
other government uses. It is expected that the Senate will
make some changes and conferees will adjust the differences.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.—The indications now are that
the real Alaska coal leasing bill which will finally become a law
will not be the bill which is now being considered by the House
and which was favorably reported by the committee. Many
objectionable features have been brought out and even the
friends of Alaska declare that the bill in its present state is not
a workable measure. There are too many provisos in it which
wcould tend to frighten capital and which gives too much power
that would be wielded by bureau clerks. The bill will
undoubtedly pass the House on Thursday, but the real coal
leasing bill will be made in conference. It is known that many
senators do not favor the House bill, and the bill that wall pass
the Senate will contain many changes. Secretary Lane at first
thought the House bill a workable measure but after Falcon
Joslin and other good Alaskans pointed out to him several
objectionable features he believes that it should be amended.
But rather than have any delay in the House he has favored
its passage there with the idea that the bill when it comes from
conference, after the Senate passes its bill, will be a greatly
improved measure. The prospects are now bright for the
enactment of this measure into law before many days. The
administration has favored early action and since the war it
has been easy to convince both members of the House and
Senate that the bill should be enacted without delay.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.—A cable received this after
noon at the Turkish embassy states that Turkey has not
declared war on any country and that she will remain neutral.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7.—Late Saturday afternoon
Delegate James Wickersham left Washington for Seattle,
where lie will take a steamer for Alaska. Previous to his
departure he was asked concerning his opinion of the Alaska
coal leasing bill which had .just been passed. He said he
believed there would not be a single entry made under the
administration leasing bill, but that it could be tried between
now and the time for the opening of the government railways
to the coal fields, and if it be found impracticable that it could
then be amended.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.—“No German ports are
blockaded and there is nothing to hinder ocean traffic between
neutral countries and Germany.” This is the statement made
this morning by the American ambassador at Berlin and
transmitted to the department here.
ANTWERP, Sept. 3.—It was officially stated that Zeppelin
airships continue to fly over the fortifications. This morning
seven bombs were dropped, several striking the Red Cross
hospital buildings and wounding twelve persons.
PARIS, Sept. 3.—During the night there was a spirited
fight between French and German aeroplanes over the city.
Five machines were engaged, but the Germans were finally
driven off. It developed later that one of the enemy’s machines
which had participated in the fight was brought down by a
French shot near the town of Compiegne. Two of the officers
were killed and the machine was badly damaged by the fall.
PEKIN, Sept. 2.—The Japanese have landed 15,000 troops
from 18 transports at Lungkow, and not Tsingtau as was at
first reported.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.—Secretary of Treasury McAdoo,
in addressing the House committee on Merchant Marine this
afternoon, asserted the right of the United States to buy
merchant ships for neutral use from any nationality that she
sees fit.
LONDON, Sept. 4.—In a dispatch from Rouen, France, the
correspondent of the Chrpnicle says that French authorities at
Paris are considering the surrender of the city to the Germans.
This would be done in order to avoid the destruction of
property from the artillery fire. It will be consented to, the
correspondent declares, in case the outer line of the defense
of Paris is passed by the invaders.
The great exodus of population from the French capitol
continues to the south. Tens of thousands, chiefly women and
children, have taken advantage of free transportation placed
at their disposal by the government. This is done for the
purpose of clearing Paris of all elements that might hamper
military operations. Most of those leaving are going either to
the south or the west of France. The military governor of the
city has put at the disposal of non-combatants 15 trains of 25
cars each. They will run today, tomorrow and Sunday to
convey refugees to points outside the military zone.
NEW YORK, Sept. 4.—The steamship Mauritania has just
arrived at Liverpool and it is stated that wireless messages
caught by the vessel indicate that the Russians are now going
to the assistance of the allied forces fighting Germany in
Belgium and France. They state that 72,000 Russian soldiers
have been transported from the northern Russian province of
Archangel, on the White Sea, around by the Arctic Ocean, ancl
landed at Aberdeen, Scotland. From there they will be taken
by special trains to other British ports and sent across the
English channel to the sea coast of Belgium, landing at
Ostende. It is believed that it is the intention to rush allied
forces into France and attack the German rear. Even though
the latter capture Paris, it is likely the plan of the allies to
quickly gather an immense army and try to annihilate her
forces remaining in Belgium and some parts of France.
LONDON, Sept. 3.—Late this evening dispatches are being
received indicating that one of the greatest battles ever fought
has just taken place, leading from Lemberg, Galicia, on the
south of Russia. It resulted in a decisive and perhaps over
whelming defeat of the Austrians. The battle line extended for
over 100 miles. It is estimated that nearly 1,500,000 men were
engaged in this bloody contest. Eight hundred thousand
Russians were pitted against 600,000 Austrians. According to
a dispatch received from Rome the Russian embassy there has
been informed that the Austrians lost 100,000 men and
thousands of cannon in their defeat near Lemberg. Reports
from Petrograd tell of the entry of the Russians into Lemberg
and of their wonderful victory. The losses of the Russians are
not given but it is expected that they run up into the many
thousands, but not nearly so great as the loss of the opposition.
PARIS, Sept. 3.—This morning the Germans were within
30 miles of the outer fortifications of Paris, and they are on
the advance. It is taken as an inevitable fact that they cannot
be checked and as a consequence there is great excitement in
the city. There is a feeling, however, that the strong fortifica
tions will be able to withstand a long siege. General Gallieni,
commander of the army defending the city in a proclamation
issued this afternoon states that the government had been
moved to give an impetus to the defense. This evening the
President and his cabinet departed for Bordeaux, where they
will establish the temporary capital.
PARIS, Sept. 23.—At midnight the government issued a
proclamation stating that the seat of government would be
transferred temporarily from Paris to Bordeaux, which is in
the southwestern part of France and near the sea coast of the
Bay of Biscay. The near approach of the enemy was the cause
of the request made by the military authorities for the change.
The Germans continue toward the city and the fact that the
allies have not been able to check their advance is taken to
mean their arrival soon in the country surrounding this city.
The center line of the French army is defending the main
approach to Paris.
ROME, Sept. 3.—A telegram from Nish, Servia, states that;
a big battle has been waged at Jadar. 140,000 Servians,
defeated 200,000 Austrians. There were many killed and
wounded, but details are not given.
PARIS, Sept. 2.—The war office has announced that in
order to accept battle under more favorable conditions the
troops of the left wing of the French army is moving towards
the south and southwest. This announcement has given rise
to all kinds of reports about the army being defeated and
making a hasty retreat.
LONDON, Sept. 2.—That Turkey will declare war almost
any time now is taken as an accepted fact. Various matters
lead to this belief and with the idea that Turkey will soon be
alligned with Germany a request has been made by Great
Britain to the United States that her interests be cared for in
case of the declaration. It is expected that the American,
minister at Constantinople will be instructed to act for Great
Britain.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.—Dispatches received by the
British embassy announce the incorporation of several German
officers in the Turkish army. This is regarded as a forerunner
of the intervention of Turkey in behalf of Germany. Its*
meaning is also taken to indicate an immediate allignment of
Italy and Greece with their allies. The Turkish minister gave
out a statement today mentioning the community interests
between Bulgaria and Turkey.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.—The British embassy has
received a message from London in which General Gallieni is
quoted as saying that the Germans have thrown their entire
strength against the French lines defending Paris, but without
making the slightest impression. This wire would indicate
that the Germans are close to the city. A previous wire from
a correspondent at Paris states that the allies were retiring!
slowly.