The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chltuiu. Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL, Editor and Proprietor.
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Dally Alaskan
Seattle Office: 661 Colman Building.
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SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .» -50
Six Months . 2.00
One Year ... 3.60
advertising rates
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper Rive: district.___
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1914.
ALASKANS SHOULD BE THANKFUL
It is sincerely to be hoped there is not a single person in
Cordova—in fact, in all of this great territory of Alaska—who
cannot recall many things which happened and some, perhaps,
which did not happen during the past year, they may be
thankful for tomorrow. Among the material things on the
list which are probably the most important as involving the
welfare of the greatest number is the emancipation of the
territory by the passage of laws by Congress providing for
the building of railways and for the opening of lands to
settlement.
What other material things have the people here to be
thankful for in this season of thank-offering? More easily
might one answer the question: “What is there of which we
.should not be thankful?”
Many people will tomorrow sit beside tables from which
arise the savory odor of the national bird, the turkey, and give
devout thanks for a square meal, without knowing or thinking
of the origin of the day or of its significance—a day changed
in observance but little after unnumbered centuiies since the
time of primitive man. Others here in the great Northland who
can’t get turkey will have moose or caribou or mountain sheep
or wild fowl; while those far removed from the busy haunts
of man and from home and those near and dear, will feel a
tightening of hearstrings as they sit down to the plain fare of
the sourdough. But the spirit of Thanksgiving will be over
all in some degree.
In another column Rev. James McBride, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, has enumerated some of the things, both
spiritual and material, Cordovans have reason to be thankful
for, and we recommend a careful perusal of his reflections.
Here’s a seasonable toast to friends and patrons of the
Daily Alaskan, and others:
Here’s hearty hope you may not be
Of those forgotten quite;
But may your plate return well piled
With dark meat and the white.
AEROPLANE AND THE CENSOR
Brigadier General Scriven, in his annual report as chief
of the army signal corps, say the European war has shown
that the aereoplane has made war a game that is played
openly, with the cards on the table, aerial reconnaissances pre
venting concealed movements or surprises and eliminating
inferences.
If this is the military impression the layman must
naturally immediately inquire what then is the necessity for
the censorship? If the aeroplane has accomplished the elimi
nation of inference, of surprise and concealment in the actual
area of hostilities, what danger can there be in the trans
mission of what everybody on the firing line knows to the
people at home, hundreds of miles away from the scene of
action ?
The only excuse for the censorship has has been the pre
vention of news that would aid the enemy. But if the enemy
already knows the news and has obtained it much more
quickly and directly than by waiting for it to be obtained from
the press reports in the foe’s country this pretext becomes
ridiculous. General Scriven’s view would reduce the whole
censorship theory to greater absurdity than it has brought
upon itself in practice, which had hardly been regarded as
possible.
MESSAGE OF GOOD CHEER RECEIVED
One of the most significant, encouraging and pleasing bits
of news the people of Cordova have heard in a long time is
that contained in the Daily Alaskan’s dispatches today,
quoting William C. Edes of the Alaska Engineering Commis
sion in reference to the purchase or lease of the Copper River
& Northwestern Railway by the government. While Mr. Edes
cannot and does not speak with authority for either Secretary
Lane or President Wilson, the recommendations of himself and
his colleagues will have great influence in final determination
of routes. The dispatch contains encouraging promises of
bigger and better things for this city as well as for the entire
territory, and will tend to brace up those who were becoming
discouraged by long waiting for something to turn up; they
may now prepare to join the crowd and aid in the turning—
to prepare to do more and talk less.
There are thirty-four Americans who officially have a
yearly income of $1,000,000 each; but Cordova isn’t mentioned
in the income tax assessment list as the residence of any of
them. It would be interesting to know what their unofficial
incomes are, for it is presumed the overage millionaire, like
Mr. Common Citizen, has one set of figures for the assessor
and tax gatherer and another for his own private use.
This war bulletin, delayed both by censors and in trans
mission, reached us bv the erapevine line vestei'dav: The
Democratic partv. having suffered a severe and rtrnlnnvnd !
bombardment along its whole front, culminating in a general
assault upon its trenches on November 3rrt boo follow bach in j
good order on a new line of defenses, and dug itself in.
GERMANS PRESENT THEIR CASE
Claiming the Germans have been grossly misrepresented
in the press of the world since the outbreak of the war, ninety
of the leading scientists, educators, artists and other promi
nent men of that country have attached their signatures to an
open letter, “To the civilized world,” presenting the German
side of the case. They deny that Germany is guilty of having
caused this war; but the preponderence of evidence is against
them. They may believe the statements of their great “war
lord,” but belief appears to be overshadowed by fact in this
case. Their assertion that the Kaiser “has for years endeavored
to maintain universal peace” doesn’t square with the facts as
given to the world both by the German press and that of the
present allies. Following are extracts from the letter:
“As representatives of German science and art, we hereby
protest to the civilized world, against the lies and calumnies
with which our enemies are endeavoring to stain the honor of
Germany in her hard struggle for existence—in a struggle
which has been forced upon her.
“It is not true that Germany is guilty of having caused
this war. Neither the people, the government, nor the “Kaiser”
wanted war. Germany did her utmost to prevent it; for this
assertion the world has documental proof. Often enough during
the 26 years of his reign has Wilhelm II shown himself to be
the upholder of peace, and often enough has this fact been
acknowledged by our opponents. Nay, even the “Kaiser,”
they now dare to call an Attila, has been ridiculed by them for
years, because of his steadfast endeavors to maintain universal
peace. Not till a numerical superiority which had been lying in
wait on the frontiers, assailed us, did the whole nation rise to
a man.
“It is not true that we trespassed in neutral Belgium. It
has been proved that France and England had resolved on such
a trespass and it has likewise been proved that Belgium had
agreed upon their doing so. It would have been suicide on
our part not to have been beforehand.
“It is not true that the life and property of a single
Belgian citizen was injured by our soldiers without the bitterest
si If defense having made is necessary; for again and again
notwithstanding repeated threats, the citizens lay in ambush,
shooting at the troops out of the houses, mutilating the
wounded, and murdering in cold blood the medical men while
they were doing their Samaritan work. There can be no baser
abuse than the suppression of these crimes with the view of
letting the Germans appear to be criminals, only for having
justly punished these assassins for their wicked deeds.
“It is not true that our warfare pays no respect to inter
national laws. It knows no undisciplined cruelty. But in the
east, the earth is saturated with the blood of women and
children unmercifully butchered by the wild Russian troops;
and in the west, Dum-Dum-Bullets mutilate the breasts of our
soldiers. Those who have allied themselves with Russians and
Servians, and present such a Shameful scene to the world as
that of inciting Mongolians and Negroes against the white race,
have no right whatever to call themselves upholders of
civilization.
“It is not true that the combat against our so-called mili
tarism is not a combat against our civilization, as our enemies
hypocritically pretend it is. Were it not for German mili
tarism, German civilization would long since have been
extirpated. For its protection it arose in a land which for
centuries had been plagued by bands of robbers, as no other
land had been. The German army and the German people are
one, and today, this consciousness fraternizes 70,000,000 of
Germans, all ranks, positions and parties being one.
“We cannot wrest the poisonous weapon—the lie—out of
the hands of our enemies. All we can do is to proclaim to all
the world, that our enemies are giving false witness against
us. You who know us, who with us have protected the most
holy possessions of man, we call to you:
“Have faith in us! Believe, that we shall carry on this
war to the end as a civilized nation to whom the legacy of a
Goethe, a Beethoven and a Kant, is just as sacred as its own
hearths and homes.”
“AFRAID OF GUGGENHEIMS”
The problem of opening the last big American frontier by
railroads, government owned or government controlled, is
now before Congress. The present administration has under
taken the task. Aside from the commercial benefits that may
accrue, the question of government control of railroads is on
trial.
Therefore, at the start, the government cannot afford t.o
be swayed by sentiment, but must decide on routes and termi
nals upon merit alone, and choose the routes which will give
the country the largest measure of benefit|
We repeatedly hear that the administration may not want
to lease the Copper River & Northwestern because of the
Guggenheim cry that might be raised. That cry worked havoc
with one administration and those looking on the political
sides of things fear it might injure the present administration.
To give heed to any such fear is to foredoom to failure
government transportation in Alaska. For our part we
believe that President Wilson and Secretary Lane will not
hesitate to deal with the Guggenheims or any other interests,
if they honestly believe that the purchase of any existing lines
is necessary to promote the welfare of Alaska. It is a business
proposition pure and simple, and fraught with too much
importance to the present and future generations to allow
sentiment or politics to dictate the policy of the government.—
Juneau Dispatch. *
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“The twilight sleep has .come to stay,” is the heading of
an article in a Seattle paper describing a new painless treat
meant under which the patient remains conscious. It might
work in snmp eases in ^Ordova. bu+ ^b^f is rnost nodded her''
is something which will put the pessimists and knockers into
a dreamless sleep until spring—by that time they may be able
to see the error of their wavs and ioin the majority in th•*
effort to build a bigger and a better Cordova.
Why Not Invest? %
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With the building of the government railroad from ^
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina ^
is assured. ^
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Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there f
are many desirable ones remaining. <
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A few months later lots in Chtiina will be held at ^
largely increased values. Why not invest NOW? <
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GEO. C. HAZELET, ^
Agent Chitina Townsite Company. <
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TIN SHOP |
IN SHUSHANNA;
j
—
No more need to carry
STOVES and TINWARE
over the long trail to the
interior, as we are pre
pared to fill all orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSHANNA - - ALASKA
Chitina GRILL
Good Eats fop Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Service.
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
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I; 0. ADRIAN NELSON ii
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: U. S. Mineral Surveyor :
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:: chitina * - - Alaska ::
■ !h*»w»H4*wh»w*»hw
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
HENRY GESSNER, Prop.
FRESH BREAD. CAKES AND
PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
»»♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦A ,
j Chitina j j
j Pharmacy j
4 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»+»+t4»»»»+++»» 4
l DRUGS. |
X STATIONERY, \
J CANDIES, 4
;; KODAK SUPPLIES 4
” CIGARS & TOBACCO t
< ► a
o I
- ► A
•• If you cannot call, write t
•• us. MAIL orders our $
” Specialty. 4 •
ii=— I
:: A. G. MOREY, Prop, j
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P55553 Let Lewis Help
‘Pointers for Amateur*” will help yon to better IQ
pictures—it’* free. Send u* your films for develop- |||
ing and printing. Enlarrinf. Developinf 10c roll. |||
any size; printing. Jc up. Cash with order. You'll ||l
find oar work better. Photo supplies. Dept. S. )||
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[*♦«♦«■■ ■.. ■ .1 ■
e hotel
[ WASHINGTON i
annex
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; SEATTLE !
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; New* “txlein and dreproof. I
[ All outside rooms <
| The moat conveniently locates ;
! hotel In the city. •
! Rooms and suites are par ticu
larly large.
, Very desirable for families or ]
, parties traveling together. '
RATES MODERATE
I Auto-bua meets all boats and !
; train.. Write f„r booklet 1
l.J H- DAVIS. Pron