FOURTH YEAR.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1914.
NUMBER 29
WASHINGTON, April 22.—This morning President
Wilson gave out a disptaeh that he had received last night
from Vera Cruz. It states that marines and sailors had been
landed from the battleships Utah and Florida and the gunbdWt*
Prairie. They seized the customs house without any particular
opposition, but immediately after the Mexicans opened up with
rifle and artillery. The Prairie shelled the Mexicans out of
position, although desultory tiring continued from the house
tops and the streets. We continued to hold the customs house
and-that section of the city in the vicinity of the consulate. Our
casualties were four dead and 20 wounded.
WASHINGTON, April 22.—Secretary Daniels estimates
that 200 Mexicans were killed by reason of the bombardment
of Vera Cruz. He says that the United States intends to
inaugurate no further offensive steps at present. The first call
for volunteers will take iu every militia regiment in the United
States. He further states that Admiral Henry T. Mayo steamed
from Tampico for Vera Cruz this morning with the vessels
under his command.
WASHINGTON, April 22.—President Huerta has made a
request that Nelson O’Shaughnessy. secretary of the embassy
at Mexico City and since the resignation of Ambassador
Wilson, the charge d’affairs, be withdrawn at once.
VERA CRUZ, April 22.—Admiral Charles J. Badger,
commanding the Atlantic fleet, arrived this morning with five
battleships.
WASHINGTON, April 22.—It was not until 3 o’clock this
morning that definite action was taken by the Senate on the
war question. Extremists made a hard fight for more
arbitrary measures, but finally most of the members were
brought around to the view of the administration. By a vote
of 72 to 13 the administration resolution was adopted,
declaring that the “President is justified in the employment
of the armed forces of the United States to enforce his
demands for unequivocal amends for affronts and indignities
committed against the United States.” As this resolution is
slightly different from the one adopted by the House it wa*
sent to the House for ratification and was adopted soon after
the House went into session today.
WASHINGTON. April 23.—General Carranza, who is
designated as the president -c-f the republic by the 0.institu
tionalists. has directed a note to President Wilson, in which he
declares that the seizure of Vera Cruz was a violation or
national sovereignty with Mexico, lie invited the United
States to suspend hostilities and * withdraw their forces,
suggesting that the Constitutionalist government should
receive demands for reparation of offenses committed by
Huerta. This note was received by the state department at
midnight and created considerable of a sensation. The
President had retired but he was awakened and told of the
situation. He immediately directed that the embargo against
shipping arms into Mexico from the north be at once restored.
WASHINGTON, April 23.—This afternoon President
Wilson issued a statement of comment on the note of General
Carranza. In part he says, “1 wish to reiterate with the
greatest earnestness the desire and intention of this govern
ment to respect in every possible way the sovereignty and
independence of the people of Mexico. But we are dealing
with facts. Wherever and whenever the dignity of the United
States is flouted by international rights or the rights of its
citizens are invaded, or its influence is rebuffed where it has
a right to attempt to exercise it, this government must deal
with thos actually in control, as it is dealing now with
General Huerta.”
WASHINGTON, April 23.—General Lake, the national
commander of the Army and Navy Union, has ordered the
organization of a “reserve of trained and disciplined men” to
respond to any call for volunteers for Mexico that the
government mav make.
WASHINGTON, April 23.—The request of the President
for an appropriation of $500,000 for the purpose of bringing
Americans out of Mexico, was granted by the House late
yesterday afternoon, without a dissenting vote.
LONDON, April 24.—A dispatch received late today from
Mexico City, states that Huerta has issued a proclamation
calling upon all factions to colors and granting amnesty for
united resistance against the United States. The dispatch
states that the proclamation was received with the greatest
enthusiasm and that for a time there was great excitement on
the streets. Mexicans swashed around with great arrogance
crying against the Americans. Two of the latter who were
found on the streets were stabbed.
MEXICO CITY, April 24:—(By refugee train to A era
Cruz, Friday—Mobs of excited Mexicans are trampling the
stars and stripes and threatening American pedestrians. The
position of the Americans now remaining here is regarded as
critical and at any hour violence may be done them.
SAX ANTONIO, April 24.—A long distance telephone at
2:30 this afternoon says that the Mexican federals at Xeuvo
Laredo, which is on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, have
fired the town and were directing their shots across the river
into Laredo, Texas.
'WASHINGTON, April 24.—Admiral Badger, in charge of
the Atlantic fleet now at Vera Crnz, has requested permission
of the department to capture all Mexican gunboats and vessels
earn ing troops or ammunition for aid of the Mexican
?eATolution.
WASHINGTON, April 24.—Announcement has
been made of the location of townsites withdrawn in
connection with the building of the government rail
roads in Alaska. These withdrawals were made on
Wednesday by President Wilson, upon the recom
mendation of Secretary Lane. It is stated that the 14
tracts of land have a natural value for townsite
- purposes, and are so distributed as to provide localities
for settlements along three possible railway routes.
The locations are given as follows: Passage Canal;
Placer Creek on Turnagain Arm; Ship Creek;
Matanuska, near the mouth of the river of that name;
Susitna Junction, on east side of the valley where
officials say the junction would naturally be when the
roads are located; Talkettna; Healy Creek; Nenana;
Chena Crossing; McGrath; Tazlina Junction; McCarty;
Washburn; Point Mackenzie, Point Campbell, Point
Possession, all of Fire Island, in Cook’s Inlet.
From the dispatch received from Washington it is
apparent that the President is giving serious consideration to
the route as recommended by the Alaska railroad commission
and running 313 miles from Chitina to Fairbanks. Three
townsite locations have been withdrawn on that line. The first
is Tazlina Junction, 58 miles out from Chitina, and where the
Tazlina rivfr from the westward runs into the Copper river.
The next is McCarty, 231 miles from Chitina, and where the
Delta river flows into the Tanaua. The third is at Washburn,
or Delta. 264 miles from Chitina. These withdrawals
substantiate the report that Secretary Lane is negotiating with
officials of the Copper River & Northwestern Railway officials
for that railway. It is authoritatively stated that the owners
of the road have submitted three different propositions to the
secretary, and have put the matter in such a way that the
government may make practically any reasonable arrangement
for the purchase, lease or traffic arrangements with the railway.
The withdrawals to the westward would indicate that a
line would run to the Susitna valley and Iditarod with a
branch into the Matanuska coal fields. At present the Alaska
Northern runs 72 miles from Seward to a point on Turnagain
Arm. One of the withdrawals is Passage Canal. This is at
the head of Portage Bay in Port Wells waters. By driving a
tunnel 2r-> miles through the mountain directly back of the
canal and building a railroad 12 miles on a level grade, the
present railroad could be reached at Mile 62, at the head of
Turnagain Arm. The next withdrawal is farther up the Arm
at Placer Creek. Proceeding north on Knik Arm a townsite
is reserved at Ship Creek. Following a branch line into the
coal fields a townsite is designated at Matanuska, near the
mouth of the river by that name. Continuing on the trunk
line from Seward into the Iditarod country a withdrawal is
made at Susitna Junction on the east side of the valley, where
Washington officials say would be the natural junction when
the roads are built. Continuing on this route the next with
drawal is McGrath, at the headwaters of the Kuskokwim and
not far from Iditarod City.
Three points on Fire Island are withdrawn. This location
is at the head of Cook’s Inlet, to the east of which is Turn
again Arm and to the north Knik Arm. It is a question
whether the island is to be used for fortification or for a naval
coaling station. Fire Island would not be accessible for more
than seven or eight months of the year, as the ice forms there
in the late fall and remains until April.
Another withdrawal is at Talkettna. Ilealy Creek. This
we find with some difficulty in locating. There is a Talkeetna
river that runs into the Susitna river near its headwaters,
while there is a Ilealy river a little north of Tanana Crossing.
That the President contemplates building a branch south
from Fairbanks into the Nenena coal fields is evident from the
fact that he has made a withdrawal at Chena Crossing, which
is ten miles from Fairbanks, and at Nenena. which is on the
river by that name.
SEATTLE, April 25.—I nder a Washington date line the
Seattle Times publishes to story to the effect that President
Wilson and Secretary Lane are seriously considering Passage
Canal, at the head of Portage Bay, as a terminus for one of
the government railroads in Alaska. It mentions M. J.
Sullivan, of Cordova, as the discoverer of Passage Canal.
ALASKA RAILROADS TO BE
OPERATED BY ELECTRICITY
WASHINGTON, April 23.—Although there is
considerable excitement in the different departments
over the war probabilities, Secretary of Interior Lane
continues to keep the Alaska problem before him and
is proceeding with the work falling to him in the
preliminary arrangements for the government railroad
construction. It has just been intimated that the
secretary is planning to have the entire Alaska
railroad system operated by electricity. He plans that
power can be generated from the mountain streams
on the coast and in the interior from the coal secured
from the Nanana coal fields, about 35 miles distant
from Fairbanks.
GENERAL FUNSTON IN COMMAND
WASHINGTON, April 28.—The cabinet held a session
this afternoon and measures were discussed looking to an
avoidance of war. It was announced, however, by Secretary
Garrison that the mediation proposals will not affect the orders
given to General Fred Funstou. He has been instructed to
immediately land his forces at \ era Cruz, and to assume
supreme command of all the land forces. Admiral Fletcher
will return to his flagship, withdrawing all marines and blue
jackets. Such marines as are detached will become part of
Funston’s command. The general will take charge of directing
governmental affairs at Vera Cruz.
^ ERA CRLZ, Apri 1 28.—-Admiral Fletcher is determined
that business here shall be conducted with facility and expedi
tion. When business interests fail to appreciate this fact and
throw obstacles in the way of accommodating service the
admiral steps in and takes hold. This morning he seized the
piers, yards and buildings of the terminal company, in order to
facilitate the resumption of business. This is operated by
British concern and a protest was immediately made to
British Admiral Craddock. He put the matter up to the
foreign office at London, where admission was made that
i Admiral Fletcher was within his rights.
WASHINGTON, April 28.—I)r. P. Ezequiel Rojas,
minister of Venezuela, and a member of the governing board
of the Pan-American Union, has cabled Huerta’s formal
acceptance of mediation to the Spanish Ambassador Senor Don
Juan Riano y Gayangos.
WASHINGTON, April 24.—The President is awaiting
announcement of the purpose of Huerta and Carranza before
his complete military plan is developed. The President has
made it clear that no blockade has been declared, and that
before any such step is taken foreign governments will be
notified.
GALVESTON, April 24.—Four transports carrying the
Fifth Brigade sailed this afternoon for Vera Cruz. The
brigade broke camp at Fort Crockett at daylight and moved
to the transports.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 24.—This afternoon 3,000
officers and men under General Pershing were entrained for
the Mexican border.
EL PASO, April 24.—This afternoon General Villa
informed George C. C'arothers, special agent of the state
department, that he declines to be dragged by anybody inro
war with the l nited States. Smiling and throwing his arm
around Carothers shoulders, Villa said, “Why all Europe
would laugh and say that the little drunkard Huerta had
drawn us into a tangle at last.”
WASHINGTON, April 24.—A brigade of infantry and
some artillery, under command of Gen. Frederick K. Funston,
was ordered to embark on four transports from Galveston for
^ era Cruz, there to render aid to the marines and bluejackets.
WASHINGTON, April 24.—Admiral Fletcher reports the
arrival at Mexico City of GOO American, British, German and
Mexican refugees. They come from the surrounding country.
A ERA CRUZ, April 25.—The El Dictaman, a newspaper
published here, says that four Americans have been killed by
mobs in Mexico City. Three were taken from a street car
and shot while the other was taken from the Y. M. C. A.
and put to death. It also states that seven Americans are held
at Orizaba, a city between here and the capital, and that four
of them were certain to be executed.
lOki 0, April 25.—Tn a statement this afternoon Premier
Okug said, ‘“ 1 he situation in Mexico has no direct interest t»>
us. It war is declared Japan will observe a strict neutrality.”
M ASHING ION, April 25.—This afternoon Secretary of
State Bryan telegraphed General Carranza, advising him to
remain neutral. At the same time he assured him that the
American government intended to withdraw its forces from
Mexico when reparation had been made for the offenses
committed by Huerta.
Jl AREZ, April 25.—Late this afternoon General Villa
addressed the following to the American people: “Mv personal
wish is that America continues the blockade at Vera Cruz and
other Huerta points. If America does this we are sure to have
the Constitutionalist army in Mexico City soon. And then I
solemnly promise America that I will see to it that drunken
Huerta otters full apology to the great friend of the masses, the
American people in the United States.”
WASHINGTON, April 27.—President Wil son announces
that he has accepted the offer of Brazil, Argentina and Chile
to use their good offices to bring about a peaceful and friendly
settlement of the difficulty between the United States and
Mexico. The offers were submitted formally to Secretary
Bryan, who in turn laid them before the President.
^ ER ACRUZ, April 27.—Tired of quibbling with the civil
authorities regarding the form of government to be main
tained, Admiral Fletcher has placed the city under martial law.
A ERA CRUZ, April 27.—This afternoon General Fred
Funstou and the I ifth Brigade landed. They immediate!v
started to work and have outposts extended several miles.
Men are entrenching and mounting machine guns.
WASHINGTON, April 27.—The impelling undercurrent
in the Senate and House has been for unequivocal declaration
for war, but this has been tempered somewhat by the accept
ance of mediation, though the administration holds out but
little hope of success by mediation.
VERA CRT Z, April 27.—Refugees of all nationalities who
have reached here assert that scores of American women with
babes and children were turned back and not permitted to
leave Mexico City. Thirty Americans made their escape by
posing as British subjects and taking assumed names.