The Seward gateway., October 25, 1915, Image 1

About The Seward gateway. (Seward, Alaska) 1914-1917

Image provided by: Alaska State Library Historical Collections

                
-. The Great
The Great AIJ
ALASKAN ALA^AN
DAILY I
____^ LARGEST ALASKAN CIRCULATION
BULGARIANS REPORTED TO
BE RETIRING IN DISORDER
BULGARIANS BROKEN
ATHENS, Oct. 25.—The Bulgarian offensive has
been broken at Voles according to Saloniki dispatches.!
The French and Serbian troops effected a junction at i
Krivolsk and after a severe fight smashed the Bulgarian j
left wing. The Bulgarians are reported to be in disorder
ly retreat.
SAY TEUTONS ADVANCE
VIENNA, Oct. —The Teutonic advance continues
in Serbia despite contrary reports. The Serbs have been
forced across the Palanka river and the Germans have
captured the heights of Petrovatz. They are advancing
on both sides of the Morava river. West of Klovana the
Serbs have been driven out of the mountains and our
troops are also progressing in the Momarow region.
_
FRENCH WIN IN EAST
PARIS, Oct. 23.—Official; The French north of‘
Mesnil by desperate attacks have captured the second line
of the German salient and the slope of Hill 196. The
losses of the enemy were heavy and we took three hun
dred prisoners.
ITALIANS FAIL
VIENNA. Oct. 25.—The official reports today an
nounce that renewed Italian attacks have failed badly.
Whenever the enemy managed to reach an Austrian posi
tion he was driven back and the Austrians delivered
counter attacks. In Serbia the central allies continue to
advance and the Serbs are retreating. In some places
they are fleeing.
GERMANS CLAIM SUCCESS
BERLIN, Oct. 25.—The German official statement
this afternoon claims successes along the eastern front
ar.d in Serbia. West of the Dvina the Russians have been
thrown from their positions. In storming Illutsk we
took three thousand prisoners. The Russians attacked
simultaneously at Vyganofskoye lake but were repulsed.
In Serbia we have thrown the enemy back east of Lucav
ina and have crossed the Danube near Orzova. The
number of Serbian dead left on the field proves their en
ormous losses.
GREECE MAY FIGHT
•ERLIN, Oct. 25.—It is believed here that if the Al
lies continue their pressure on Greece that country will
take one side or the other.
LINER AFIRE
CHARLESTON, S. C., Oct. 25.—The Mallory liner
Colorado is afire off ('ape Romaine and the crew has been
picked up by an unknown merchantman. The liner has
six thousand bales of cotton aboard and the fire is believ
ed to be incendiary.
GERMAN WOMEN RIOT
BERLIN, Oct. 25.—The housewives of this city have
started a riot because of the increase of prices and the
scarcity of food stuffs of many kinds. Large stocks of
butter were seized by the rioting women yesterday.
GERMAN CRUISER SUNK
PETROGRAD, Oct. 25.—A German cruiser has been
sunk by a British submarine in the Baltic near Libau. A
crew of five hundred and fifty-seven were aboard the war
vessel at the time but no details have been furnished as
to their fate.
THOUSAND SOLDIERS KILLED
LONDON, Oct. 25.—In the bombardment of Dede
gatch several civilians and one thousand soldiers' were
killed. The greatest number of casualties amongst the
soldiers occurred by the dropping of some shells in the
Bulgarian barracks while the men were gathered in pre
paration for dinner.
TO BLOW UP SHIPS
NEW YORK, Oct. 25.—It was learned this afternoon
that Fay, the arrested German, had in his possession, be
sides a large quantity of high explosives, a cleverly made
mine which was intended to trail behind the screws of
steamships and explode by a connection of the water with
chemicals. It was strong enough to blow the biggest ship
to atoms.
Fay also had charts of New York Harbor and a fast
motor boat. After his arraignment today he freely ad
mitted that he had come to America in May to try to stop
shipments of munitions but did not execute any plots as
the damage which he was prepared to cause could have
been repaired too easily.
Lane Again to Ask
Development Board
CONGRESS WILL BE I KG El) TO
GIVES ALASKA A NEW
SYSTEM.
WASHIXGTOX, Oct. 24Secre
tary Lane has announced that he in
tends to urge again on congress at
the coming session the advisability
of establishing the Alaska Develop
ment Hoard for the administration of
alTairs connected with the territory.
He has met with some opposition and
with some support in relation to this
Hoard but he still believes the system
would remove many impediments
from the road of Alaska’s develop- I
ment.
MURDERED WHILE BUYING
MUNITION’S FOR ALLIES
Killed in His Own Home and Teuton
Sympathizers Are Suspect
ed or the Act.
CHICAGO, Oct. 24.—Franklin
i
Voorhees, a broker who was engaged
in purchasing munitions of war for
the allied nations, was murdered ir. j
his home here last night. No cause
can be assigned for the act except his
occupation which, it is thought, might
have led sympathizers with the Ger
man cause to take his life.
JOHN BALLAINE
ON THE STAND
EVIDENCE FOR DEFENDANTS
BEGINS IN TOWNSITE
C A S E.
John E. Ballaine took the stand for
the defense at the opening of Court
this morning in the townsite ease.
Depositions were read Saturday af
ternoon on behalf of the defendants,
but Mr. Ballaine is the first witness
for the defense appearing on the
stand at Seward.
Mr. Kay conducted the direct ex
amination of the witness. He pro
duced a letter from Franklin K. Lane,
secretary of the Interior, to the wit
ness, dated September 21st, 1015, in
which the secretary stated that the
United States had no interest in the
suit of the Alaska Northern Railroad
against the Ballaines, and that no
monies or advantage would come to
the United States in the event of the
Alaska Northern winning the said
suit. Attorney West objected to this
letter going in evidence, stating for
his ground that in the contract for
sale between the Alaska Northern
Railroad and the United States for
the road, the Alaska Northern speci
fically reserved the right to prosecute
the present litigation for the benefit
of the bondholders. Judge Brown
said .he understood that the right to
commence this action had been re
served in the contract, but that the
defendants might introduce the let
ter in evidence, and over-ruled the
objection. Mr. Ballaine was then re
ferred to the testimony of Mr. Dow
dle, given in a deposition in Chicago
To Abolish / i strict
Attorney Office Here
That for some reason or another the abolition of the
office of assistant district attorney at Seward is in con
templation by District Attorney Spence is a startling fact
which has become known here. Mr. Whittlesey was ask
ed this morning if the story is well founded and he admit
ted that it was. He has been informed that it is the in
tention to have him transferred permanently to Valdez so
that no assistant district attorney’s office will exist near
er than Valdez or Anchorage if Mr, Spence’s plans mater
ialize with the aid of the department of justice. Indeed
enough is known to state that District Attorney Spence
has already wired the department for permission to abol
ish the Seward office and remove it to Valdez, and if there
is anything to be done it must be done quickly.
It has been suggested that the Gateway should draw
attention to the fact that Seward as the ocean terminal of
the government railroad has the strongest claim on the
office, and it has also been pointed out that meetings
ought to be held for the purpose of drawing the attention
of the department to the real facts before it is too late.
CHARLTON IN
DANGEROUS FIX
REPORT VILLA IS
TRYING TO ESCAPE
COMO, Italy, Oct 25.—The case of
Porter Charlton, who is being tried
for the murder of his wife, is draw- I
ing to a close and his chances look j
very black. The only chance, indeed,
is that the eloquence of his counsel
might secure a mitigation of the sen
tence which under ordinary circum
stances would bo imprisonment for
life.
TACOMA BEATEN FOR
AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 25.—The
White Automobiles, of Cleveland,
beat the Tacoma Tigers today for the
amateur baseball championship of
the world.
TWENTY GIRLS MISSING
AFTER A FACTORY FIRE
PITTSBURG, Oct. 25.—Twenty
two girls are missing after a factory
fire which occurred neaT Alleghany
and they are believed to be dead.
I
EL PASO, Oct. 24.—It is reported
here that Villa is gathering a large
quantity of gold with the intention of
escaping from Mexico to avoid falling
into the hands of the Carranza forces
which have now secured the upper
hand without question.
STRIKE SETTLED
SHENECTADY, Oct. 24.—The
strikers of the General Electric com
pany have accepted a nine and a half
hours day and a five per cent in
crease in wages. They asked for an
eight hour day.
——— ^
DECISIVE MEXICAN
BATTLE IS NEAR
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.—The suc
cess or failure of Villa's revolution
depends on the result of a battle
which is impending opposite Douglas.
Carranza has rushed large numbers
of reinforcements there and the op
posing sides are unusually btrong.
BERLIN SAYS HI
REPULSED IN THE EAST
on behalf of the plaintilF, and testified
in rebuttal to Mr. Dowdle, that he
(John K. Ballaine) did not tell Dow
dle that the townsite belonged to the
Alaska Central Railroad; that Dow
dle did not contribute the sum of $16,
000 to the Tanana Construction Com- !
pany, but instead advanced only the
sum of $3,000. Mr. Ballaine said he
knew nothing of Mr. Dowdle’s bonds
and did not receive them for sale as !
Dowdle stated in his deposition.
Dowdle testified that he had not
started a suit against Ballaine. Bal
laine introduced the process served on
him, in which Dowdle was plaintiff, in
Cook County, Illinois. Mr. West then ■
admitted that suit had been brought j
by Mr. Dowdle against John E. Bal
laine, and stated that he had a let
ter from Mr. Dowdle stating that he
had made a mistake at the time the
deposition was taken.
Mr. Ray then referred to a letter
written to Mr. Oakley by John E.
Ballaine. Mr. Oakley was attorney
for John E. Ballaine. This letter was
objected to by Mr. West. Judge
Brown sustained the objection.
Mr. Ballaine was then interrogated
about the Dowdle case against him
self, and produced a written settle
ment and release from Dowdle him
self. This release read that Dowdle
had no further claim against John E.
Ballaine, the Alaska Central Railroad,
the Tanana Construction Company, or
the Tanana Railway Company. The
consideration received by Dowdle was
stated in the release as $3,500. This
settlement was offered in evidence.
West objected. Over-ruled, and ex
ception taken.
The deposition of R. S. Water,
previously read in behalf of the de
fendants, was next referred to by Mr.
Ray. Mr. Ballaine testified that J.
M. Rankin, an attorney and dealer in
script, of Washington, D. C., was the
man from whom he purchased the
script and handled this matter per
taining to the patents. A certified
check datcl July 20th, 1903, in favor
of Rankin and signed by John E.
Ballaine for the sum of two thousand
dollars ($2,000.00) was introduced in
evidence. This was in payment of
soldier’s homestead script used for
the purchase of the townsite.
The witness then testified that he
kept three bank accounts in Seattle,
one in the Scandinavian American
Bank, which was a joint account with
his brother Frank L. Ballaine; one in
the Puget Sound National Bank,
which was of the nature of a family
account upon which he and his family
drew; and ono in the Washington
National Bank, which was utilized for
his private business.
Mr. Ballaine said he never had
anything to do with the funds of the
Alaska Central Railroad, or used or
handled them.
Two letters from Mr. Rankin to
Mr. Ballaine were read by Mr. Ray,
and introduced in evidence over the
objection of Mr. West. They were of
date 11th and 21st of July, 1903, and
referred to the transactions regard
ing the script used in the purchase of
the townsite.
The patents to the Ballaine home
stead were put in evidence by Mr.
Ray, being numbered 726 North, and
726 South, and proved that the script
purchased was from John D. fisher,
and D. O. C. W. Brcshaucrs through
Rankin, and that Ballaine made per
sonal payments for the same.
Mr. Ballaine then related details
of the organization of the Alaska
Central Railroad Company, and that
Dickenson, Goodwin and Parker
handled all monies of the road. He
related how he first became interested
in the proposition of a road in Al
aska, and that seven engineering
parties were sent out, that the head
(Continued on Page Six)
HINDENBURG REPULSED
BERLIN, Oct. 25.—The news arrived this afternoon
that Hindenburg has suffered a repulse on the eastern
front but the full facts are not known.
ENNOBLED DUMBA
BERLIN, Oct. 25.—It is reported on reliable author
ity that the emperor of Austria ennobled Dr Dumba on his
return home after leaving the United States. Dumba is
the ambassador whose recall was insisted upon by the
Washington government and his ennoblement is taken as
a protest against the action of the American government.
LEAVING DARDANELLES
ATHENS, Oct. 25.—It is reported here that large
numbers of allied troops have been withdrawn from Gal
lipoli peninsula already to reinforce the troops landed at
Saloniki but this has not been confirmed although the
Dardanalles campaign is regarded as doomed if the
Teutons succeed in crossing Serbia. It is the general
opinion in Greece that if the allied nations had agreed to
pay the expenses of mobilizing the Greek army this
country would now be on the of allied side. As matters
stand now Greece seems to be determined to remain
neutral absolutely.
RUN FROM CONSCRIPTION
LONDON, Oct. 25.—Thousands of young men are
now leaving for America to avoid conscription which is
believed to be inevitable. It is the chief question oJ the
day now in British politics. The plan proposed by Lord
Derby to enforce the enlistment of unmarried men first
by conscription is gaining in favor and steps may be taken
to carrv it out soon. Although Asquith has stated in t.ie
house of commons that three million men have joined the
ranks for active service it is evident that the force of the
empire are not yet sufficient to bring the war to a success
ful conclusion.
TO DESTROY MUNITIONS PLANTS
NEW YORK, Oct. 25.—Robert Fay, said to be a
lieutenant in the German army, and a brother-in-law. of
Walter Scholz, was arrested here yesterday on suspicion
of being implicated in a plot to destroy American muni
tions factories and ships carrying munitions to Europe.
It is reported this morning that Fay has confessed and it
is well known that documents have been found on him
showing that he is in the German secret service. Strong
guards are being maintained now over all the factories
making supplies for the allied nations as tlieio is ( 1 \
reason to believe that hundreds of German sympathizers
are plotting for their destruction.
REDFIELD HAS PLAN
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.—Secretary Redfield of the
department of commerce plans to form an “Oversea
Trust Company” to co-operate with the government to
handle exports and to guarantee to the different belliger
ent nations that such exports will not reach the hostile
countries. The plan is intended to secure freedom of the
seas for American goods by giving the bolligeients full
confidence that the goods will be deliver ed at the places
to which they are consigned.
PRESIDENT MARRIED DEC. 20
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25—The formal announce
ment was made today that the marriage of the president
will take place on December Twentieth at the home ot
Mrs. Galt. The ceremony will be a private one, no one but
the members of the two familes being present, and it will
take place in the afternoon.
ADMIRAL DEAD
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 25.—Rear Admiral Manney, re
tired, died here last night of pneumonia.
LIND TO MEET CARRANZA
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.—John Lind has been in
vited to meet Carranza on the border and he will prob
ably consent. Lind was the special envoy of the president
to Mexico some time ago in an effort to get at the real
facts. ____
ALASKA TRADE
INCREASED FAST
SEVEN KILLED IN
TRAIN-AUTO SMASH
SEATTLE, Oct. 24.-—It is announc
ed today that the Alaska trade for
ten months has increased thirty-nine
per cent.
The Arctic Brohterhood will hold a
meeting this evening. A full attend
ance is requested.
DETROIT, Oct. 25.—Mrs. Rachel
Stoldt, her five daughters and Miss
Minnie Engle, a half sister, were kill
ed outright when the automobile in
which they were riding was struck
by a train yesterday. Wm. Stoldt,
the husband and father, was fatally
Injured. #