SEATTLE, Aug. 30—The steamer Admiral Watson of the
Pacific-Alaska Navigation line was sunk while tied up at her
pier through a collision with the steam schooner Paraiso, which
rammed, into the Watson, apparently the cause of the accident
being a dense smoke which was prevaliant at the time. The
Paraiso pulled off undamaged, but the Watson was injured to
the extent of $50,000. A longshoreman, C. Millmoe, who was
working on the boat at the time of the accident, was killed, out
side of a few slight injuries, and a ducking no one else was in
jured. The accident created a great deal of excitement on the
waterfront, and attracted a large crowd of sightseers.
The officials of the company announced this morning that
work would be strted at onde to raise the Watson and that as
soon as she was repaired she would be put back on the run to
Southwestern Alaska. In the meantime the Admiral I’arragut
will be transferred by the company to the Alaskan run, and1
every effort will be made according to President Alexander to
expedite the work of raising and repairing the Watson.
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The freighter Edith, owned by the Alaska Steamship Com
pany, left Ellamar yesterday with 2,800 tons of copper con
centrates, and when forty-seven miles east of Cape St. Elias, at
6 o’clock this morning, sent out a distress call by wireless, the
supposition being that her cargo shifted and the vessel was
badly listed.
The steamer Mariposa, due here at 8 o’clock this morning,
picked up the call while off Point Johnson and immediately
started back to where the Edith is. The flotilla of torpedo boat
destroyers were in Sitka waters this morning when the distress
signal was heard and are now on their way to the scene. As
these boats make more then thirty miles an hour they should
reach Cape St. Elias late this afternoon.
Several unsuccessful efforts have since been made to get in
communication with the Edith by wireless, and nothing definite
as to her position can be learned until the Mariposa reaches
her.
When the Mariposa reached the Edith at 2:30 o’clock this
afternoon the latter boat was in a precarious position, but still
afloat. She had a bad list to port and most of the crew had
taken to small boats and were picked up by the Mariposa,
which is standing by until other assistance arrives.
The freighter Edith, with its cargo of copper concentrates,
was abandoned last night at 8 o’clock, forty-six miles east of
Cape St. Elias, Captain McMullen, being the last person to he
taken off the vessel. She had a fifty degree list, due to the
cargo shifting, with a heavy southeast swell and, a fresh wester
ly wind blowing. The vessel was sinking rapidly at the time,
with fifteen feet of water in the engine and fire rooms, and it
was only a question of a short time when the Edith with its
$150,000 cargo would drop out of sight. The steamer Mariposa,
which went to the rescue yesterday afternoon, stood by long as
there was any necessity and finally came on to Cordova, bring
ing the Edith’s crew of thirty-eight men, who are now here
and will return to.Seattle on the Northwestern tomorrow
night. x
Captain McMullen gave the following particulars of the
wreck of the Edith:
“The vessel left Latouche on Saturday last at 4 p. in.,
bound for Seattle, via the inside passage, to pick up canned
salmon on the way down, loaded with 2,000 tons of concentrates,
446 tons of sacked concentrates and 300 tons of copper ore, all
loaded at Latouche. The vessel appeared to be in fine shape,
leaving Latouche, passed Hincliinbrook at 11 a. m. Sunday.
Strong northerly wind was blowing, with south easterly swell.
Passed' Cape St. Elias at 10:20 Sunday night. Wind haulded
to northeast, with heavy southeast swell running. Edith was
moving along without any trouble, at a speed of about six knots
an hour. About 6 o’clock Monday morning vessel suddenly
listed over to port at an angle of thirty-five degrees. Immedi
ately turned the vessel around to seee if I could straighten her
up with seas and decided to run back to Cordova or the nearest
port of safety, where the cargo could be trimmed to straighten
up the ship. Vessel was listing more all the time, the port rail
being under water and seas breaking over the hatches fore and
aft, making it impossible to take them off to trim cargo. Ves
sel being in such a precarious condition sent out wireless dis
tress calls, with the idea of having her towed to port. No
response was received from any one, so presumed our call was
not heard. Proceeded to swing out the life boats in case of an
emergency; the davits of the port life boats broke off twe feet
from the deck, carrying one of the crew overboard into the
sea. I then stopped the ship to pick up the man who was
pulled' in over the port rail, practically all in and injured, owing
to the davit falling on him. On account of the heavy rolling of
the sea this boat was smashed to pieces against the ship’s side.
“At 11 oclock Monday morning the vessel appeared to be
listing more and more and taking in water in the engine room.
Steamer Mariposa came along about 3 p. m., when a tow line
was passed aboard and Edith taken in tow. Vessel was sinking
rapidly and the tow-line parted about three hours later. 1 was
taken off the Edith at 8 p. m., being the only person on the
vessel at that time, and the ship abandoned'.”
The Edith was 276.4 feet long and had a depth of 27.4 and
a breadth of 37.3. Her gross tonnage was 2,369 and net ton
nage 1,495, and was built in Sunderland, England, in 1882.
She has been in the northern service for a number of years,
being owned and operated by the Alaska Steamship Company.
LONDON, Sept. 3—Officials high in the service of the gov
ernment declared that the rumors of peace negotiations pend
ing have no foundation. In the actions and statements of the
British government no member is willing to he quoted neither
will he enter into a discussion of the peace rumors which gain
ed such wide circulation. The Associated Press is authorized
to make explict denial of the whole affair.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3—The United States will make no
further effort to secure peace among the warring European
countries until it receives some assurances that it will be a wel
come mediator to both the Allies and Teutons. Because Austria
is in close touch with the Vatican the officials here interpreted
the Pope’s message as an indication that the Germanic powers
were willing to discuss peace. Another movement, without
i similar assurances from the Allies, will not likely be taken,
although President Wilson’s original offer of his services to
wards securing peace still stands, and he will do anything pos
sible'to bring about this result, if agreeable to all parties con
cerned.
The government had determined not to make public the
full text of the Pope’s message at present, but from the ab
stract of it which has been given to the newspapers it is ap
parent that Germany, Austria and Turkey are not averse to
discusing terms of peace. One of the knotty questions that
will prove difficult for any peace arbitrators to unravel will be
| the question which England will submit, of making Germany
| pay for the lives and property lost in the submarine attacks
! on unarmed merchatmen. Germany’s position is that these
| ships and lives were lost in justfiable war operations, and
■ it is doubtful if Berlin will submit to any plan peace whereby
she will be made to pay for the these attacks. It is possible that
; t his trouble may be got around' by submitting it to the court
of arbitration at the Hague. This does not mean that the
principle of allowing submarines to attack such vessels without
! first warning them will be submitted to arbitration, as it is
[expected that the allies as well as the United States would take
the position that on that point there was nothing to arbitrate.
A dispatch which was received from Berlin today, with all
the tone of being inspired says that Von Bemstorff will be
given extraordinary powers in the negotiations between this
country and Germany and that the final determination will
probably be left to his discretion. When it is understood that
Bernstorff throughly appreciates the American point of view
in regard to submarines, and his warm friendship for this
country is also considered, it may be seen that an amicable
settlement of the whole troublesome question is almost assured.
The German ambassador has always been fore than eager to
prevent any break between his country and America.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1—The English pound sterling is
rapidly falling in value and its weakness is surprising the fin
ancial experts who never predicted so great a slump as it has
shown of late. This morning it was quoted as low $4.50, a de
crease of 11 cents within the last two days, and a full ten cents
lower than the irreducible minimum which was set, below
which it would not be profitable for England to buy goods in
this country. The situation is the cause of the gravest anxiety
amang American manufacturers and business men, and the
effect on American exports, which are now leading the world
for the first time in history will be disastrous.
If the decline in the value of the English money standard
continues unchecked, it will result in tens of thousands of
American workmen being thrown out of employment, as fac
tories will be closed, which are now working night and day
supplying commodities to Great Britain, and which would con
tinue to do so under normal conditions of exchange, as long as
the lasts. It is feared that England will be forced to cancel
some of her large war orders placed in the United States, and it
is confidently predicted that further orders will be definitely
discontinued while the pound' value is sinking.
It is said on Wall Street that the pound value is bound to
go much lower and in that event English buyers will undoubt
edly refuse to bear the heavy burden of exchange. The situa
tion is critical as England will be forced to seek a cheaper seller
for her war munitions. In .America she is now paying top
price and the exchange situation means that in addition to that
she must pay an eveessive premium.
BROWNSVILLE, Sept. 3—Aniceto Pizanos and a band
of thirty Mexicans, who burned the railroad trestle near here,
continue at large and are getting more daring in their depre
dations. The horses and other property of ranchers is being
stolen and thes outlaws have terroized the entire country.
Murder has now been added to their long list of crimes,
having kidnapped two Americans and then shot them. They
were Earl Donaldson a farmer, and J. II. Smith, an engineer,
who were captured twelve miles north of here. A general alarm
was sent out and nothing will be left undone to apprehend the
greasers. American cavalrymen started in pursuit and killed
one Mexican, and the chase is being continued until the whole
band has either been captured or disposed of.
The county officers and a posses of armed citizens also
started out on the trail of the murderers and in a desperate
battle last night succeeded in killing three of the bandits.
There were no casualities among the Americans.
QUEENSTt )WN, Sept. 3—A German submarine torpe
doed and sunk the British ship William T. Lewis, bound from
Everett, Wash., to Sheerness with a cargo of lumber. The
crew of the vessel was saved.
BERLIN, Sept. 3—A dispatch from Sofia brings the news
of the sinking of a British transport and a large loss of life.
The transport struck a mine off the entrance of the Dardanel
les and immediately sank, all on board going down with the
vessel. Those lost were twelve hundred and fifty soldiers,
three hundred and twenty officers and the ships crew of three
hundred.
LONDON, Sept. 3—Turkey is bending every effort to
force Bulgaria to remain neutral in the war, but apparently she
is not meeting with much success, although the allies have had
no assurance as yet that she will join the war on their side.
BERLIN, Sept. 3—The latest information from Grondo is
that the Tuetons captured three thousand Russians when they
attempted to retreat from there.
NEW YORK, Sept. 3—It is stated on good authority that
Great Britain has obtained a preliminary loan of from fifty
to a hundred million dollars to tide that country over its press
ing financial obligations and at the same time check the down
ward trend of the exchange until the Mammouth credit loan
could be floated' here.
LONDON, Sept. 4—Advices received today from Petro
grad admit that the armies of the Czar in the north are re
tiring to the banks of the Divina. In this section a desperate
struggle lias been progressing to protect Riga and the Petro
grad railway. The Russians have shown greater stubborness
here than at any point in Poland, and the losses in the fighting
have been heavy on both sides. Riga is still in the hands of
the Russians, although the Teutons have steadily improved
their positions here. North of Vilna, where the Germans have
been able to make but little if any progress, the offensive move
ment of the Grand Duke is still under way. In some portions of
the line they have even succeeded in gaining ground, forcing
the Teutons to retire to presrve their alignment in their most
advanced positions.
LONDON, Sept. 4—The negotiations between the Balkan
powers in the effort being made by the allies to bring Bulgaria
into line on their side, are proceeding satisfactorily to the par
ties concerned. The question of what territory Serbia should
cede to Bulgaria will soon be definitely setteled, as King Peter
announced today that Serbia’s answer to her allies on this
matter was practically completed and would be presented short
ly. The finjil draft will undoubtedly be favorable to Bulgaria
and therefore pleasing to the allies. Bulgaria demands all of
Serbian Macedonia, and this was whfft she was originally en
titled to under the first Balkan treaty.
DUNKIRK, France, Sept. 4—All
along the French front, preparations
are going steadily forward for the
winter campaign. In the trenches the
greatest possible degree of care is
being taken to protect the men, not
only against attacks, but also against
the rigors of weather.
Tar is being extensively used where
ever the intrusion of water is likely
to occur, the effort being to make the
trenches as nerly water-tight as
possible. Drainage of various kinds is
being provided, and concrete is being
freely used to provide weather proof
shelters.
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OPIUM DEALERS
SELECTED BT
LOTTERT
WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 4—Appli
cation has been made for the pardon
of Mrs. Mary Powell, who convicted
for the murder of Miss Estella Albin
on the Hall farm near Bowers’ Beach.
The application for pardon is backed
by the W. C. T. U. Mrs. Powell is the
oldest female in the prison at New
Castle Workhouse and is serving a life
sentence. She is 60. Miss Albin was
supposed to have committed suicide
and they so reported; when she was
laid out for burial Mrs. Powel kissed
her and was a sympathetic mourner.
Attorney General Ward and detectives
investigated the case and she was con
victed. Jealously was the motive.
She made several confessions and
these were used against her. Many
sensational scenes marked the trial
when she broke down and wept.
Among the witnesses were her hus
band and a girl of 13 who was the
states principal witness.
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WRECK KILLS
200 PEOPLE
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4—The State
Department received advices from its
agents in Mexico today, telling of a
train wreck which occurred about two
hundred miles east of Mexico City.
The killed number two hundred, in
cluding many women and children, and
the injured are several hundred more.
There were no Americans on the train.
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SUBMARINES
QUINCY, Mass., Sept. 4—The Fore
River Shipbuilding Co., at this place
has completed a number of sub
marines under contract with England,
but the American government will not
allow the little vessels to be delivered
until the war has ended as it would be
considered a violation of neutrality.
The navy Department has detailed
American officers and crews to tak<
chage of the ships in the meantime.
LOCAL NEWS ITEMS OF THE WEEK
What Is Transpiring In and About Cordova
MONDAY.
Rev. J. L. McBride left yesterday
for Anchorage.
Miss Frances Hedges has accepted
a clerical position with the Northern
Drug Company.
Mrs. E. S. Florey went to Valdez
yesterday for a short visit.
W. E. Dunkle left on the Evans
yesterday for Valdez.
Mrs. Tom McKinney, of McCarthy,
was a passenger on yesterday's steam
er for Seward.
R. L. Tillman, a sign painter from
Juneau arrived in Cordova yesterday
on the steamer Evans.
Road Commissioner Ed. Wood has
returned to Valdez. Bids for the
building of a trail to the cemetery and
the old town, for which work $1,600 Is
available from the forestry funds, will
be opened Septemberl.
Word was received from our former
townsman. A1 Lund, In yesterday's
mail. He Is at Nelson Lagoon, in
Bering Sea, engaged In building can
neries and will not get through with
his work this fall as he expected and
will not now return to Cordova until
next February or March.
Prof. F. G. Davis, superintendent of
the Valdez public schools, accom
panied by his wife, greeted Cordova
friends yesterday, on their return
from a several month’s trip to the
states.
W. B. Sprague, purchasing agent
for the Alaska Steamship Company,
was a Northwestern passenger for
Latouche. He is accompanied by his
wife and will later return to Cordova
and make a trip over the railroad ■
line.
TUESDAY
Mrs. M. V. Lattin and daughter
Marie came down from McCarthy on
today’s train, en route to Juneau.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamprey and three
small sons were among the arrivals on
the Mariposa. They will locate here.
Mr. Lamprey brought a Ford auto [
with him.
Chas. Cochran and wife have returned i
from a several month’s trip to the |
states.
Fred Anderson and wife and two
daughters arrived today from Wash- 1
ington state and will make Cordova!
their home. Mrs. Anderson has j
leased the Borden building where shei
will conduct a millinery store.
D. A. Mosser wrenched his shoulder !
last night and is housed up in conse-1
quence.
Miss Celia Burroughs, of Leander, J
Cal., was an arrival on today’s steam
er to accept a position as teacher In
our public schools.
Mrs. Thos. S. Scott and little'
daughters Mary and Jane returned to-j
day from an extended visit to Seattle.
The collier Promethus arrived in
Cordova this afternoon and expects to
remain here two months, making re
pairs to the naval wireless station at
Whitshed. She carries a crew of 400
sailors and about forty civilians, and
has a complete machine shop aboard.
The Promethus is 450 feet long, with
a tonnage of 12,585. She was built at
Mare Island, Cal., In 1906, has a speed
of sixteen knots and coal bunker
capacity for 1,576 tons.
The steamer Mariposa arrived In
port about 8 o’clock this morning with
the following passengers:
For Cordova—Miss Celia Burroughs,
Fred Anderson and wife, Miss H. An
derson, Miss M. Anderson, W. H.
Webb and wife, Mrs. T. S. Scott and
child, C. Cockran and wife. Mr. and
Mrs. Lamprey and 3 children, C. Phil
lips and W. A. Conroy.
For Valdez—Mrs. O. A. Hall, Miss
H. M.Kaher, Annie lianell, M. Skir
van, A. Busher and wife.
For Latouclie—Or. W. A. Brown.
For Seward—Mrs. C. I~>. Meyer and
son, Miss Wedd, Mrs. Choin, Helen
Chevin, J. Corson, Mrs. G. Corson, G.
Wnring, A. Nicholas.
For Anchorage—J. E. Uihlein, E. J.
Uihlein, Blanche Shox, Lucy Mathews,
Miss C. Oslund. Mrs. J. Jnckson, W.
G. Stevens, L. P. Byrus, J. C. Telmas,
Ora Clare, M. L. Peters, C. Armstrong,
P. C. Birdsall, S. Carney.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Webb returned
on yesterday’s steamer from an ex
tended trip to the states.
Attorney S. S. Smith, of Worthing
ton, Minn., was in town yesterday on
his way to Anchorage, Mr. Smith ex
pects to re turn to Cordova in the near
futrue.
WEDNESDAY.
A train left for Chitina and Fair
banks this morning.
Horace Leach returned last night
from an extended stay at Seward.
Miss Lena Hess, of Seward, was in
town last evening on her way to San
Francisco to attend the fair.
Mrs. L. R. Baird and daughter, Mrs.
Annette B. Fyler and son Baird will
leave for Seattle on the Mariposa.
Frank R. Townsend and August
Thiel were among the outgoing pas
sengers today on the Northwestern.
Art Cloninger returned from Valdez
last night, bringing back with him the
liquor license for the Alaskan hotel.
Edward P. Harwood returned last
night from the westward, where he
was employed in the forestry service.
Miss Mildred Ashland, formerly of
Cordova, was a passenger from Sew
ard on the Northwestern for Seattle,
where she will attend the Queen Anne
high school.
W. B. Srague, purchasing agent for
the Alaska Steamship Company, ac
companied by his wife, arrived from
the westward last night and are regis
tered at the Windsor hotel.
F. E. G. Berry, a well-known min
ing engineer who has spent some time
in the Copper River valley, left today
for the states. He is very optomistic
over the future of this section.
We have been advised that the tele
phone rate from Seward to Anchor
age is $2.50 for ten words;official busi
ness free and no rate is quoted the
press.
Alvah Eames left Seattle last night
on the Alameda for here.
Oscar Larson and bride are return
ing to Cordova on the Alameda.
ALASKA
STEAMSHIP CO.
Fast and commodious steamers sailing between Seattle, Ketch
ikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway, Cordova, Valdez, Seward and
SHIP CREEK, via INSIDE PASSAGE
Sails from Seattle— Sails from Cordova—
August 13.ALAMEDA.August 23
August 20.NORTHWESTERN.August 29
Regular freight service for Ketchikan, Juneau, Sheep Creek,
Treadwell, Douglas, Cordova, Ellamar, Valdez ard Latouche. Explos
ives, S. S. Seward. 8. S. Seward, 5th; 8. S. Latouche, 15th; 8. S.
Cordova, 25th of each month.
This company reserves the right to change schedule of steamers
without notice.
Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Bldg. Baggage
or freight will not be received at the dock later than one hour before
sailing time.
F. B. TRACY,
General Agent
T. J. TALLENT,
Ticket Agent
COPPER RIVER & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY
Good Passenger and Freight
Service to Interior Alaska
For Rates and Other Information Apply
DEPOT OFFICE