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MEMBER ASSOCI VTED PRESS_PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEIT SU1NUAI
V«L *, No. M SEWARD. THE GATEWAY TO ALASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, l’JLL_1 1..
SANGUINARY BUT INDECISIVE BATTLES RAGED
RUSSIA GIVES LARGE TERRITORT
TO JAPANESE EOR HEAVY GUNS~:r:r..
EXCHANGE ISLAND FOR GUNS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26. -The Japanese embassy
here announces that Russia has ceded to Japan the north
ern half of Sakhalin island in exchange for heavy guns
which Russia evidently needs badly in the present war.
The southern half of the island was ceded to Japan at the
close of her war with Russia. The news is taken here to
mean that Russia is by no means so well equipped for the
war as the world had been led to believe.
LONDON’S REPORT
LONDON. Dec. 26.—Christmas passed without a truce
by any of the warring nations. Petrograd reports today
that the Russians have resumed the offensive at several
points in Poland ami that they have captured eleven thou
sand prisoners. The Austrian army is still making a
courageous effort to strike down the valley of the Nida
river in the direction of Cracow. British observers think
this movement will be too late of the Austro-German at
tack on the center has been checked as reported. Hinden
burg still keeps his bulldog grip on the Vistula and seems
at present ta be making a movement towards Warsaw
from Thorn in the western part of East Prussia.
TWO DAY’S FIGHTING
PARIS, Dec. 25.—It is officially announced that in
termittent fighting has been proceeding in Belgium. The
allies have made progress along the whole front in France
and Belgium but the gains are slight.
PARIS. Dec. 2G.—'The official announcement this
morning shows that fighting went on to some extent on
Christmas Day but a heavy fog which settled over
Flanders interfered with the operations. Counter attacks
made by the Germans have been repulsed at various
points. All the fighting took place near the sea and at
Perthes. It is also announced that the French have made
further progress in upper Alsace.
PETROG RAD’S REPORT
PETROGRAD, Dec. 25.—On the left bank of the
Vistula the Germans have been hurled back from one of
the positions they had occupied. This position was on the
* right bank of the lower Bzura. They have been reinforced
at another point and are continuing their attack on Soch
aczew. They are also trying to debouch from Bolimow.
To the east of Skierniewicz their night attack was repuls
ed with heavy losses. They have launched several fruit
less attacks to the west of the river Rawka and are vig
orously resisting the offensive of the Russians on the
north bank of the Pilica. In East Prussia and around
Przemysl and the Carpathians no essential changes are
noted
THOUSANDS OF BRITISH DIE
BERLIN, Dec. 26.—It is officially announced that the
Germans have scored a big success over the British and
Indian troops at St. Hubert. This success was reported
before but the facts can be better judged today by the
later reports arriving from the front. Nineteen officers
and eight hundred and eighteen British soldiers were cap
tured. Fourteen machine guns, twelve mine throwers and
much other war material fell into our hands. The enemy
left more than three thousand dead on the field. So fright
ful were their losses that the British asked for a cessation
of hostilities to bury their dead while our losses were com
paratively slight.
ZEPPELIN MAKES RAID
NANCY, France, Dec. 26.—A Zeppelin airship flew
over this city early this morning and dropped fourteen
bombs. Two persons were killed, two were wounded, sev
eral houses were slightly damaged but no public building
was struck. When the bombs began to drop quite a panic
was created but the work of the Zeppelin was not at all
so effective as had been expected. It is supposed that this
was a trial raid made on a city close to the German border
for the purpose of testing the effectiveness of airships of
p, that kind with the future general air raid on London or
Paris in view. The members of the government in Paris
have taken special precautions to guard against attacks
by Zeppelins. Special guns have been mounted near the
Elysee and other government buildings.
FIERCE FIGHTING IN POLAND
PETROGRAD, Dec. 26.—It is officially announced
I this morning that the Germans who succeeded in forcing
their way across the Bzura river south of Sochaczew have
been driven back after suffering heavy losses. It is also
announced that the German attacks in the region of Boli
mow have resulted in failure. In the region of Lodz, on
the Pilica river and to the south of that locality stubborn
fighting continues. Along the entire course of the Nida
river and to the south of the Vistula fighting is progres
, sing under conditions favorable to the Russians.
BERLIN ON POLAND
BERLIN, Dec. 26.—1The official news today about the
eastern field of war is that Russian attacks in the vicinity
of Lotzen were repulsed and we took a thousand prisoners.
In North Poland to the east of the Vistula the situation
remains unchanged. We have ceased our attacks on the
Bzura river and on the right bank of the Pilica to the
southeast of Tomaszow our offensive movement has been
successful. Further to the south the situation remains
| unchanged.
SEIZE ITALY’S COPPER
i
ROME, Dec. 25.—Several cargoes of copper consign
ed to Italy have been seized by British and French ships
but the British and French governments have now
promised the Italian government to release the cargoes
if Italy pledges that she will not permit the copper to be
exported to Germany or its allies. The Italian officials
say that this pledge will be given as all the available cop
per can be used in Italy ami there is no necessity for ex
porting it.
FROM VARIOUS QUARTERS
LONDON, Dec. 26.—Reports have come through
Rome that the Turks have gained some successes in Asia
(Minor where they are opposing the Russians. Constanti
I nople and Berlin say that a million Turks can be placed in
the field as soon as arrangements have been made to have
them properly equipped. The British government has
given out no late intelligence as to the reported intention
of Turkey to invade Egypt but the people here seem to
assume generally that the Turks will certainly make the
attempt by way of the Suez canal. The khedive of Egypt
has been in Berlin for some time according to the latest
reports although it is difficult to understand how he got
there from Constantinople where he was reported to be
at the time Turkey entered the war.
PETROGRAD, Dec. 25.—The Russians are still using
the Julian calendar and Christmas is still thirteen days
distant. Petrograd’s first Christmas without vodka has
been marked by less feasting and carnival making. The
winter has been comparatively mild and the river Neva
is still unfrozen. The Christmas spirit has been over
shadowed by the spectre of war. In every large square
and open space are gathered detachments of new recruits
to the army. All of them are clad in fur caps and long
overcoats as they are trained. The religious ceremonies
of the season will be practised with a greater fervor than
usual as the war has created a more intensely devotional
spirit amongst all the people.
LEIBNECHT DRAFTED
PARIS, Dec. 25.—Dispatches from Switzerland say
that Dr. Leibnecht, the famous socialist and the only
member of the reichstag who voted against the war cre
dit, has been enrolled in the army to put a stop to his op
position to the war. It was at first thought to place him
on trial for treason but this idea was abandoned although
his action made him detested.
MASQUERADE PRIZES.
The prizes for the Firemen’s Mas
querade ball will be on view in the
| windows of the Gateway office. As
! the days go on it becomes more evi
j dent that the affair will be one of the
j pleasantest ever held anywhere.
BRINGING MAIL.
Elgin Vaughan is bringing in the
j !
Hope and Sunrise mail and Colonel
Revell is following with the Iditarod
mail. Both are expected today.
BIRTHDAY FOR MISS HAWKINS.
Miss Virginia Hawkins, one of the
most popular young ladies in town,
celebrated Christmas and her birth
day simultaneously yesterday by act
ing as hostess to some other fair de
butantes in the persons of Misses
Alice Daggett, Marit Eide, Patsy Ray,
Geraldine Hickey and Gladys Green.
The young ladies dined at a table
which stood about fifteen inches above
the floor but which was leaded down
with a splendid banquet.
TROUBLED.
MANILA, Dec. 2G.—An abortive at
tempt at rebellion was made by the
Filipinos in Manila and its environs
on Thursday but matters are again
quieted down. Eight of the ringleaders
have been arrested but it is apparent
that the rising was started by men
who were not gifted with the ability
to be dangerous. The party was mostly
composed of persons who implicitly
trust the word of Antonio Kicarte the
revolutionist who conducts a continual
propaganda from Hongkong where *.e
was banished by the American govern
ment.
MOOSE HAVE FINE TIME
The Seward Lodge of the Loyal
Order of Moose held their Christmas
tree last evening and later had a royal
time until the small hours of the
morning. All the children received
prizes and the grown up children
danced and feasted. A feature of the
evening’s fun were some musical sel
ections and some selections that were
by no means musical but helped to
create a merry atmosphere. The
Moose hall was crowded to the doors
but yet much of the culinary creations
of George Kosmos were left over. The
affair was so thoroughly successful
that it is evident a new Moose build
ing will have to come before another
Christmas.
A PLEASANT XMAS EVE.
Christmas Eve was spent in a most
enjoyable manner by those who were
lucky enough to be present at the
Christmas tree at the Methodist
Episcopal church on Christmas Eve.
The children were made happy by
an abundance of pretty gifts and a
very nice program was rendered.
FOR MODERN
SCHOOLS HERE
- #
WICKERSHAM GETS TO WASH
INGTON AND TELLS OF
NEW PLACES.
WASHINGTON,D. C. Dec. 16.—Del
egate James Wickersham of Alaska,
arrived in this city today aftor sev
eral weeks absence in that territory
mwhich he was re-elected to the posi
tion he now occupies by on over
whelming majority at the territorial
election in November.
Mr. Wifkersham has announced his
intention to immediately prepare a bill
for the organization of a modem
school system in Alaska.
LONDON, Dec. 25.—As an answer
to the recent charges that football
players are paying too much atten
tion to their game and too little to re
cruiting, it is announced that plans |
have been completed for sending to
the front a battalion ,1,100 men com
posed entirely of football players both
amateurs and professionals.
Another newly organized battalion
is to be composed entirely of men
whose height is less than the official
standard, recently reduced to 5 feet
3 inches. Members of this “Bantams
Battalion”are to receive a special dis
pensation from Lord Kitchener.
M. Roberts, mayor of lerre Haute anc
democratic candidate for governor ol
this state in 1906, was arrested today
with several others on the charge ol
election fraud during the election just
passed. The specific nature of the
charges has not yet been made public
The other men elected are all pro
minent in one way or another but
principally in politics It is said by the
papers here that the alleged offenses
are very serious and that very strong
proofs have been secured against
Roberts and some of the others. The
standing of Roberts was very high
all over the state and in his own city
it was particularly so. He and his
friends declare that their arrest is
due to political animus and that they
can easily prove that they were gruilty
of no illegalities.
FIFTY TWO BELOW
ZERO IN VERMONT
Seward Has a Far Warmer Climate
Than Many of the States.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.—An ex
tremely cold wave now holds the whole
country in its grip from the Missis
sippi river to the Atlantic. The Dec
ember temperature records have been
broken in many places but Barre, Ver
mont, beats all records with a temper
ature of fifty two below zero. Ex
tremely cold weather extends as far
south as Florida. Temperatures be
low zero are recorded from New Eng
land, interior New Y'ork, West Vir
ginia, Michigan, Illinois, Northern
Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota
and North Dakota.
JAPANESE LOWER HOUSE
PUT OUT OF BUSINESS,
Rejected Proposal to Expand the
Army and the Government
Dissolved it.
TOKIO, Dec. 26.—The imperial diet
was dissolved today because the lower
house rejected the proposals of the
government for army expaiv-ion. The
proposals were voted down by a large
majority and this fact is regarded
here as marking the beginning of a
movement favoring a curtailment of
military power.
GENERAL KELLY KENNY DEAD
LONDON, Dec. 26.—Sir Thomas
Kelly Kenny, formerly adjutant gen
eral of the British army, died here
last night. He gained distinction dur
ing the Boer war but had retired be
cause of having passed the age limit
BERTHA SAILING CANCELLED.
Agent Wayne Blue has received
notification that the sailing of the
steamship Bertha has been cancelled.
A big crowd of people took ad
vantage on Christmas Eve of the
splendid turkey dinner provided, ac
cording to custom, by Leo Margules
at the Northern. The Northern Christ
mas dinner has now become a most
popular institution evidently.
~The Mariposa was scheduled to sail
from Seattle on the 24th. The Seattle
correspondent was probably celebrat
ing and forgot to send the passenger
list today.
The regular dance of the Seward
Dancing club will take place this even
ing in the railroad building. An un
usually large attendance is expected.
: VILLA SCARES
; BUSINESS MEN
e
HINTS ABOUT EXECUTION 01
THE WEALTHY AND GETS
t
? MONEY.
5
EL I’ASO, Dec. 25.—Julian Medini,
t
a blacksmith, has been appointed
e
governor of the state of Jalisco by
l
Villa and replaces Miguel Dieguoz, a
carpenter, who was appointed by Car
i
ranza. During a recent visit to
i
Guadalajara Villa sought a popular
loan of a million pesas. The major
r
part of this loan will be provided by
the church party which is gratified
at the re-opening of the churches
, which had been closed by Carranza.
In addressing the business men Villa
» said that if the funds were not raised
another French revolution would re
sult when men such as those he was
' addressing might fall by the guillo
' tine. The reports coming here say
■ that the business men took the hint
■ and are contributing.
i ____
PRESIDENT SPENDS A
REAL CHRISTMAS DAY.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.—The
president arose early’ this morning to
personally' direct the Christmas white
house festivities for his little grand
1 niece Anna Cothran. In the library'
1 was a large Christmas tree and there
the family gathered before breakfast
to exchange gifts. Afterwards Mr.
Wilson dispatched automobiles tilled
* with gifts to the poorer parts of the
city. He did not attend church, saw
p *
very few callers and transacted only
the smallest amount of work.
: MEXICANS QUIT
: FOR GENL. SCOTT
1 -
1 AMERICAN OBJECTED FIRING
r
BULLETS ACROSS THE
BORDER.
3 NACO, Dec. 26.—General Mayor
tena, commanding the Villa forces that
! were besieging Naco, Mexico, has de
' parted for the southwest as a result
of a conference with General Scott,
chief of staff of the American army, •
who objected U the firing of bullets
across the border. General Hill, the
I representative of Carranza, remains
in occupation of the town but Mayor
tena decided that it would be better
to let him stay than to incur the dis
. pleasure of the United States govern
, ment. General Scott has a large force
. of troops here and it is generally as
i sumed that he has received instrue
. tions to cross into Mexico if the Mcx
. icans continue to endanger American
lives with stray bullets.
I German capitalists interested ^n
Copper properties in the Kuskulina
and Kotsina districts are said to be
planning the installation of a smelt
er with sufficient capacity to handle
custom work in addition to the ton
l nage from their own properties.
Letterheads, envelopes, billheads,
cards, posters, announcements of ill
• kinds at The Gateway Job Printery.