FIFTH YEAR
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, MARCH 16,1915.
NUMBER 22
EUROPEAN WAR
LONDON, March 15.—Many skirmishes have been held at
the western front, but there is every reason to believe that an
effort will soon be made to drive the Germans from the
positions in which they have been entrenched all winter. It is
expected that there may be weeks and perhaps months of
fighting, but that if the enemy can be driven back and at the
same time be prevented from taking Warsaw and driven from
Poland that the result will have a marked effect on terminating
the war. It was announced this evening that a million British
soldiers are on the firing line stretching across the northwest
of France and Belgium. The forces have been gradually
increased until now the array is formidable and with French
soldiers will likely prove destructive to the plans of Germany.
ATHENS, March 16.—The British cruiser ' Amethyst
sustained heavy damage today in attacking the Dardanelles.
The guns from the forts proved effective, resulting in 20
officers and men being killed with many more wounded.
GENEVA, March 15.—A desperate battle with bayonets is
reported between the French and Germans for the possession
of the heights of Reichackerkopf. The Germans were greatly
outnumbered but they put up a fierce resistance. Before they
retired they had lost 900 killed and 3,000 wounded.
PARIS, March 15.—Late this afternoon violent cannon
ading was reported from the northwest of France around
Dunkirk. It is believed to be a british squadron bombarding
the sand dunes about Nieuport.
LONDON, March 15.—Reports received from Sofia state
that there is continued panic at Constantinople, with the
general feeling that the city must soon fall. The Sultan,
according to the story of refugees who have reached Sofia, has
decided to move his government to Eski Shehr, in Asia Minor.
Dispatches received today from Athens predict the fall of
Smyrnia before the close of the week. The bombardment is
going on at a terrific rate.
LONDON, March 15.—The Admiralty announced Satur
day night that seven British merchantmen had been torpedoed
since the tenth of the month. This morning it was further
stated that the German submarine LF-29 had sunk five vessels
during three days off the Sicily Islands. Later today announce
ment was made that German submarines had sunk British
merchantmen at the headlands of Floroza Hartdale.
SEATTLE, March 16.—Notice has been received here of
an order which is being promulgated by the Russian
ambassador. The Consul here is now calling upon all Russian
reservists in the Northwest and Alaska to report for colors.
LONDON, March 16.—A terrible slaughter among the
Prussians has been the result of the repeated efforts to capture
Warsaw and to prevent the Russians from invading the eastern
part of Germany. It is authentically known that an official
list from the last eight battles gives the Prussian casualties
of killed, wounded and missing at an alarming figure. The
total number, not including those of Bavaria, Wurtemberg and
Saxon, and twenty naval lists, is an almost unbelievable
figure. But the number is officiallv stated to be 1.059,029 men.
VALPARAISO, Chile, Marcli 16.—In the sinking of the
German cruiser Dresden 19 perished and many others of the
crew had narrow escapes.
LONDON, March 13.—It is reported that late today the
Swedish steamer Anna was blown up by a mine off Scar
borough. Most of those aboard succeeded in getting away on
small boats. Only two sailors were lost.
PEKIN, March 13.—The second Japanese squadron,
conveying 30,000 soldiers, sailed this morning for China.
Others are expected to follow.
PETROGRAD, March 13.—Count Witte, Russia’s first
Prime Minister, died at an early hour this morning. He has
taken an active part in all matters concerning the war and his
counsels will be greatly missed.
MADRID, March 13.—There was another outbreak tins
morning at Jenonte. Food has been so scarce that much
hunger and suffering has resulted. In the distribution of
bread this morning the riot became serious and was not
quelled until many had been injured.
ATHENS, March 13.—The long range bombardment of
the Dardanelles continues. Their efforts are directed mainly
toward preventing the Turks from repairing tlieir damaged
forts. The marksmanship of the Turks has greatly improved
under German gunnership. Today six vessels of the allied
fleet are bombarding Smyrna forts, and the result of their
work is being evident in the diminishing return of fire.
LONDON, March 13.—The auxilliary cruiser Bayano,
while patroling the seas was torpedoed off Oorsewall Point,
Scotland. She soon sank and nearly two hundred lives were
lost.
NEWPORT NEWS, March 13.—Five British warships
are patrolling the coast off the Virginia capes. A wireless
received here indicates that they are waiting for the German
cruiser Prinz Eitel Friederich to come out.
LONDON, March 13.—The British army which is leading
the attack on the western front, is still pushing forward,
' despite the stubborn resistance of the Germans. There are
considerable losses on both sides but the Germans are
gradually retreating.
LONDON, March 12.—A secret report sent from Cuxliaven
to the Admiralty at Berlin states that 12 submarines have
bailed to return to their base of operations.
OF IIWST TO lUG
WASHINGTON, March 16.—Late this afternoon Presi
dent Wilson stated to newspaper reporters that he had selected
the route for the government railroad in Alaska. But he
further stated that he could not now make public the decision,
adding that the time for doing this was indefinite.
Asked about the purchase of the Copper River & North
western Railway and the Alaska Northern the President stated
that neither had positively been agreed to.
According to the best information obtainable the Presi
dent is withholding the announcement of location of routes
pending a legal opinion from the Attorney General on some
phases of the existing line or lines which it is proposed to
purchase.
The railway act provides that lines may be purchased at
not more than the price fixed by the railroad commission. The
offer made for the Alaska Northern, the road that the govern
ment apparently desired most, has been rejected by the
Canadian owners.
The Attorney General has been asked to give an opinion
of how far the government may go in acquiring lines by con
demnation. He has also been asked to look into the right of
the President to make an expenditure beyond the amount that
has already been appropriated, although there is not much
hope that this privilege may be exercised.
A report has been received here that the road would run
from Ship Creek to the Matanuska ooal fields and there are
many facts that give credence to this contention. Those
interested in having the road start at Seward recently claimed
that they had positive information that when the President
made his announcement of terminals and routes that he would
designate Seward as the ocean terminal.
Those who are more in a position to know still adhere to
the idea that the President is trying to work out a method by
which his first choice of building the railroad from the west
ward of Prince William Sound mav be carried out. Failing in
that he is expected to select Cordova and the Copper River
! route.
SEATTLE, March 15,—Steamship men are very much
concerned over a probable int^fewmce of traffic. There is
already practically a general strike of longshoremen. This lias
been called because of the insistence of loading vessels coming
here from Vancouver, B. C., where a strike has been on for
some time. All Alaska vessels will probably be included
tomorrow in the general order, and that will seriously inter
fere, at least for a time, with the shipment of supplies to the
north.
•
PEKIN, March 16.—China is becoming alarmed at the
large number of Japanese that are being landed on her posses
sions. Officials of the government stated today that it was
contemplated making an appeal to Great Britain to stop the
armed invasion of China by the Japanese.
WASHINGTON, March 12.—Secretary of the Interior
Lane, in discussing this morning the work of the past Congress
declared that the legislation passed for Alaska providing for
the building of the government railroad and the coal leasing
bill will rank in importance with the construction of the
Panama Canal. When asked whetn.-r any conclusion had been
arrived at with regard to the routes of the railroad he stated
that the matter was still under discussion and that the
President was not yet in a position to make public his views.
He further stated that the report of the Alaska Railroad Com
mission would not be given to the public until the President
transmits it to Congress. That time will not be until next
December, unless a special session should be called in the
meantime. - • . .,
WASHINGTON, March 10.—In administration
circles there is considerable displeasure manifested
over the circulation of numerous rumors concerning
the government’s intention with reference to the con
struction of railroads in Alaska. It is explained that
the delay in making public the report of the Alaska
Engineering Commission and the President’s selection
of routes is due to the congestion of business during
the closing days of Congress, which prevented the
President and Secretary Lane from entering into an
extended consideration of the question. The Alaska
Engineering Commission is marking time and making
preparations for further surveys. It is also playing a
part in the negotiations for the Alaska Northern
Railway. Despite rumors td the contrary these negotia
tions are still in progress. What is being done about
the proposed purchase of the Copper River & North
western Railway only Secretary Lane knows and he
declines to talk until he has conferred further with
President Wilson. It is expected that a positive
announcement must be made very shortly.
EVENTS OF THE BIG W
t CONSTANTINOPLE, March 12.—The enemy is making
slow progress in reducing the forts in the Dardanelles. The
fire of the British warships, while on the whole well directed,
are at times inefficious and does but little damage. The Turkish
fire from the forts is more accurate, frequently causing the
warships to retire.
AMSTERDAM, March 12.—A dispat. •h from Berlin
states that Germany regards the sinking of the American
wheat ship Frye as unwarranted. The zeal of an excitable
captain is given as the responsible cause of the affair.
NEW YORK, March 12.—It is announced that Dupont &
Co. have received sufficient orders for powder, received from
belligerent European nations, to warrant large extensions in
their already extensive plants.
LONDON, March 11.—The bombardment of the Dar
danelles yesterday was long and continuous and done practic
ally by French warships. A fog early set in and it became s>
dense that aviators were prevented from determining just to
what extent damage had been done.
NEW PORT NEWS, March 11.—The crew of the wheat
ship Frye has been released and brought ashore, after an
inquiry by government officials. The German cruiser tlqit was
injured in sending the Frye to the bottom went into the dry
dock for repairs. It is not expected that many days will be
required to put the Prinz Eitel Freiderieh in good shape again.
BERLIN, March 11.—An Engl isli aviator who had been
hovering this afternoon over the town of Menin. now occupied
by the Germans, dropped seven bombs. Seven Belgians were
killed and ten wounded. German soldiers escaped.
LONDON, March 11.—Under cover of heavy fire from the
French artillery the British troops early this morning
captured Neuvchappe, north of the town of Labassee, which is
in the northern part of France. They captured over 1,000
prisoners with comparatively no losses. The Germans have
been holding this localitv for several months past.
PARTS, March 11.—The Ge rmans have met with addi
tional losses, according to telegrams received today. The war
office announces that a mile and a half of the German trenches
hAve been captured by a British attack that extended from the
front of the German positions in Flan.h rs.
WASHINGTON, March 11.—It n.#\ develops that the
J British steamer Chareas, which was sunk in the South Atlantic
I last December by the German cruiser Prinz Eitel Freiderieh,
| was American owned and was on her way to New York to
I secure an American register.
BERLIN, March 11.—A dispatch from Rotterdam states
that the British collier Bethoven, bound for Gibraltar, was
sunk. She struck a mine and it was with difficulty that her
crew was rescued. This was accomplished, however, only two
being drowned.
GENEVA, March 16.-—It is reported here today that the
Sultan of Turkey has taken the notion that he will remain in
Constantinople. The minister of war considers this a fool
hardy decision but is having difficulty in persuading the
Sultan to transfer the capital to Asia Minor.
ATHENS, March 10.—Six British warships, headed by
the superdreadnaught Queen Elizabeth, this afternoon concen
trated their terrific fire on Fort Namazieh, overlooking the
Narrows. It is not believed that it can long resist this
bombardment.
PARIS, March 30.—Operations of the fleets in the Dar
danelles have been generally resumed, and further progress
has been made in advancing into the narrows. The batteries
from the heights of Enkui, from which there has been much
trouble and opposition have been silenced.
LONDON, March 10.—The German submarine U-20, was
rammed and sunk by the British torpedo boat destroyer Ariel
last night. Yesterday the U-20 sunk the British merchantman
Blackwood. The steamships Princess Royal and Tangistan
was also sunk yesterday in the North Sea by a German sub
marine. After the Tangistan was torpedoed it was difficult
for all the crew to make their escape and 37 perished.
NEWPORT NEWS, March 10.—Late this afternoon the
German commander of the cruiser Frederich announced that
the ship Frye had been sunk in the South Atlantic on January
27, because she carried contraband supplies. The master of
the Frye states that his ship was under charter to H. M.
Houser and that she sailed from Seattle on November 6tli last,
with 190,000 bushels of wheat consigned to Queenstown.
WASHINGTON, March 10.—The sinking of the ship Frye
has caused a sensation in official and diplomatic circles, because
wheat is non-contraband. The action of the commander of
the German cruiser in destroying the ship is regarded as a
serious violation of American rights, that may lead to
complications if Germany upholds the action of its officer.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 10.—There was consider
able excitement here today upon the arrival of Gapt. II. H.
Kiehme, master of the Seattle grain ship William P. Frye,
with his wife and members of the crew. They were aboard the
German auxilliary cruiser Prinz. Considerable mystery
attaches to the loss of the Frye. Whether she was sunk by
the Eitel Frederich, another German cruiser, or simply figured
in an ordinary marine disaster will not be disclosed at present.
The Frederich needs repairs and may intern here. She has 326
Russian and French prisoners of war. It is expected that an
| investigation will be ordered by the U. S. officials.