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THE ALASKA DAILY EMPIRE "ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME' VOL. IX, NO. 1315. JUNEAU, ALASKA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1917. PRICE TEN CENTS AMERICANS IS GERMANY ARE HOSTAGES WAR BREACH IS WIDENING HOURLY WAR CLOUDS IN PRESENT CRISIS SEEM LOWERING Hopes That Hostilities Can Be Averted Have Been Almost Swept to One Side. SUB WARFARE IS CAUSE California Torpedoed and Sunk without Warning Is Charge Made by the Commander. WASHINGTON. Feb. S? Today will probably develop whether the steamship Califor nia case will constitute such overt act as will move the President to ask Congress to declare war. WASHINGTON. Feb. 9. ? The Breach with Germany is growing wider hourly and the hope that hos tilities can be avoided have been al most swept away. The German's submarine campaign of rathlessness is developing with fury. However, on the basis of reports received on the destruction of the California and other ships, so far it is stated authoritatively, that none of the cases constitutes an overt act which will lead to war. Consul Frost reported this morn ing that forty-one on the Califor nia are still missing. WAS SUNK UNARMED. Washington. Feb. 8. ? The j sinking of the California, of the British Anchor Line, bound from New York for Glasgow, off the Coast of Ireland, was reported to the State Department late yesterday in a dispatch from Consul Frost at Queenstown. The report then said there was one life lost and "twenty hospital cases."' During the night and early today further particulars were received. The captain of the California is re ported to have said that the steamer was fired upon without warning, two torpedoes being fired at a distance of only 300 yards from the vessel. The greatest of excitement pre vailed and although the life boats had been swung out. ready for any emergency, lives were lost by the boats being overturned. Several boats were also swamped by the suction of the steamer going down, the boats not being able to make a wide clearance, so suddenly did the California answer to her death doom. LOADED WITH MUNITIONS-* New York. Feb. 8.?The Califor nia sailed from New York on Jan nary 29 with thirty-one passengers. No Americans were aboard, accord ing to the agents of the line here. The line received a cable message saying that there were 160 surviv ors of the California out of a total of 215 persons aboard. She carried a crew of 174 and was commanded by Captain John T. Henderson. The California was armed with one gun mounted astern when she left here the officials of the line said. They did not believe there were any Americans in the crew. (Contlnuec on Pasrc 3.) T STOCK quotations f NEW YORK. Keb. 8.?Alaska Gold closed yesterday at 7%. Alaska-Juneau at 7%. American Zinc at 36%. Butte & Superior at 45. Phino at 52%. Ray at 25%. Utah Copp?r at 107 Vz. Copper metal was quoted at 30. J ?> <? ?> '!? ? ?> ?> ?> ?> ? <? ?> ?> ? >> ? <? NOMINATING PETITIONS ? ?> MUST BE ON FILE ON * ;? OR BEFORE FEB. 15 * ! * ?> | Petitions nominating candl- <? ' dates tor Representative in ? the Territorial Legislature to ?> <? be voted for March 6th must * be filed with Clerk of the ?> ?> Court J. \V. Bell on or before ? ! ?> February 13'h?one week from ? j ?> today?in order to insure hav- ? i v ing their names printed on the ? j ?> official ballot. The election * will be conducted in accord- ? j ?> ance with the regular Alaska * > ? election law. and the Austral- ?> ' ?> ian ballot will be used. ?> ! + The date for the end of the t ; period for filing nomination * ! ?> petitions was set for Febru- + J-> ary 15 in order to give time ? I ?> for the distribution of ballots ?> j <? and other election supplies 4* j <? among the several precincts. ?> j* Nominating petitions must 7 ; <? contain the names of 100 elec- ?> I ?> tors. ?> CHORUS GIRL AUTO RIDE IS A DEATH RIDE .NEW YOHK, Feb. 8.?Robert Bar-1 ber, or the IJarber Steamship Com \ pany. was killed and two chorus | girl companions were fatally injured early this morning on Riverside Drive when the Barber car crashed into a J limousine being driven by Mrs. Bes sie Abbot Storey, the opera singer, j Mrs. Storey was injured slightly. Slippery pavement and high speed j was given as the cause. MARIPOSA LEFT I FOR NORTH THIS FORENOON EARLYi SEATTLE. Feb. 8.?The steamer Maripo.-a sailed at nine o'clock this morning with tho following aboard: Bishop R. 0. Crimont. Walter Roon ig. W. P. ,Thompson and bride. A! vin Goldstein and P. Corrigan. The Mariposa has 174 passengers aboard for various points including sixty for the Carlisle Packing Company. ALASKA COMPANY TO APPOINT NEW j OFFICIAL SOON: ? - SEATTLE, Feb. 8. ? A traveling. freight and passenger agent for Al aska will be named in a few days by President K. W. Baxter of the j Alaska Steamship Co. .lust who will i be given the position is not known hero today. The Alaska Steamship j Company has had no official of tho kind in the north, bat several gen-1 eral agents, with certain districts, have looked after the freight and: passenger business with the resi dent agents at the various port3. FIRST LEGISLATOR FROM OUT-OF-TOWN ARRIVES Frank P.. Cannon, of Knik, who was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives by a large ma jority at the recent election, arrived i on the Northwestern from the south ; where he has been visiting and is at1 the Hotel Zynda. Mr. Cannon is the! tirst out-of-town member of the Leg islature to arrive in Juneau. IS SENTENCED TO FIFTEEN MONTHS FOR "HUSH" CRIME SEATTLE, Feb. 8.?John \V. Rob erts. former deputy sheriff of King County, recently convicted of a frau dulent crime, securing "hush" money from a New Orleans man. and im personating a U. S. official was to day sentenced to fifteen months at McNeil's Island by Federal Judge Jeremiah Neterer. THREE MILLION GERMAN-AMERICANS PLEDGE SUPPORT TO THE UNITED STATES IN CASE OF WAR WITH KAISER PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 8.?Pledges of loyalty to the United States in the event of war with Ger ! many were made early today by the German-American National Alliance, which claims a membership i of 3.000.000. These pledges resulted at a meeting of delegates frcm twenty-eight States who were j hastily sunmmoned here by Dr. Hexamcr, the president of the Alliance. Stockholm, Feb. 8.?Sweden and other Scandinavian nations have decided to unite in a joint protest to Germany over the latter's submarine blockade and ruthless submarine warfare. Grave food short ages are threatened in Norway, Sweden, Holland and Denmark as a result of Germany's intensified sub : marine blockade. There arc expressions of deep anxiety in the newspapers of all those countries. A con ference of kings of the various nations will be called, according to rumors, to discuss the situation. Tokyo. Feb. 8.?Japan will send a "Mission of Sympathy" to Europe within the next two months to convey to the Entente Allies assurances of continued friendship and good will. It is planned to raise j a fund of $1,500,000 for disrtibution among Europe's war sufferers. CURSES A JUDGE I AS SHE IS LEAD OFF TO PRISON Woman Accomplice of the Former German General Consul at 'Frisco Goes to Cell. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb, 8. ? *l'll pray for your death. Judge, as long as there is a breath left in me.M Mrs. Margaret Cornell, convicted with Franz Bopp, former German consul general, on a charge of vio lating American neutrality shouted at Federal Judge Hunt today as she was being led from the court room on her way to San Quentin prison to serve a sentence of one year and a day. Bopp extended his hand to Mrc. Cornell but she refused to take it. Judge Hunt gave Bopp until to-j morrow morning to raise S25.C0C bail. C. C. Crowley, of the German con sulate. waived his right to bail and will be taken to McNeil's Island to morrow to serve a two-year sen tence for complicity. GOVERNMENT IS IN MARKET FOR I 500 AEROPLANES I WASHINGTON. Feb. 8?It was! announced this afternoon that the government is in the market today for the immediate delivery of 500 j aeroplanes. BLIND ALASKANS IN SEATTLE START MOST PROFITABLE CONCERN SBATTLE, Feb. 8. ? (Jeorge K. Holmes and John Moran, both of whom lost their sight mining in Al aska. have opened a machinery op erated broom factory and are doing a thriving business In this city. ALASKA BOAT IS LOST; MISSING NINE DAYS Power Boat Progress Is Among Missing; Craft Arrives at Seward After Hardships. i SEWARD. Feb. 8?The schooner Harold Blekum tailed Into the bay this morning with Capt. W. Kohlis [ter and wife, and the crew of seven sa'e after a terrib'e trip from Seattle. They report the power boat Pro-: grces which was towing them f.-om | Seattle to Seward has been missing j since Jan. 31st. She was last seen [covered with ice when the tow line ; broke off Cape Ohmaney. On the Harold Blekum everything novablo was carried away except the sails which were down. She! drifted 250 miles in 48 hours and arrived off Seward three days ago but was unable to get in on account of the thick weather. The captain's wife, who is the daughter of Dr. J. P. Sweeney, of Seattle, has traveled with him all over the world and says it was the most frightful trip sho ever exper-; icnced. Capt. Kohiicter asks steamers! to watch for the Progress and wire' if she is found. AMERICAN BOAT FIRED UPON BY BRAZILIAN SHIP RIO dc JANERIO, Feb. 8.? The American steamship Evelyn was fired I upon by the Brazilian battleship Minesgaraes on account of a misun-i dcrstanding of signals, it became, known here today. The Evelyn was not damaged, but returned to the harbor to dear up the misunderstanding. THE EMPIRE?All the News All the Thnc, When It Ih News. Weather Conditions as Recorded Dy tne u. s. weainer ? Bureau. LOCAL DATA BAROMETER TEMP. HUMIDITY WIND VEL. WEATHER 8:00 a. m 30.17 30 97 N. 1 Clear 2:00 p. m 30.14 40 79 S.E. 5 Clear CABLE REPORTS FOR 24 HOURS ENDING AT 8:00 A. M. TODAY YESTERDAY | TODAY Temp. Temp. \ Highest 8 p. m. Juneau 45 42 | Dutch Harbor .. (Missing) Eagle -8 28 Nome 28 Sitka 40 Tananu G 4 Valdez 50 34 PortlRnil 58 56 | San Francisco. .. 64 60 | Seattle 42 42 ! Prccip. Lowest 8 a. m. Lust 24 8 a. m. Temp. Temp. Hours Weather ::o 30 146 Clear 26 30 Cloudy 24 30 1.06 38 " 40 Cloar 42 4 2 Cloudy 36 38 Cloudy . ~ x J P. T? * O _ _ Low barometric pressure is advancing easiwwu irom ucriug oeu and the temperatures are mild for the season throughout the Ter ritory. The pressure distribution would seem to indicate that 110 unseasonably cold weather is probable in this vicinity during the next 36 hours. M. B. SUMMERS. Meteorologist. TRIP TO ALASKA OF CONGRESSMEN NOW LOOKS GOOD Seattle Attorney From Washington Says That Lawmakers May Come North. SEATTLE, Feb. 8? E. C. Hushes, ihe prominent attorney, returned to Washington, I). C., last night and to day stated that lie believed that the prospects were excellent for a Con gressional delegation of twenty or more members visiting Alaska this coming summer. "Alaska is a big tiling now in the eyes of the law makers," said .Mr. Hughes, "and many of the Congressmen and Senators want to learn about things first hand." INDICTMENTS TO i STAND AGAINST SEATTLE MAYOR; Federal Judge Refuses! to Quash Indictments of Hodge, Gill and Beckingham. SEATTLE, Feb. 8.?Federal Neterer refused this afternoon to quash the indictments of the Federal Grand Jury against Former Sheriff Robert Hodge, Mayor Hiram Gill and Chief of F'olice Charles Rcckingham. Judge Neterer set March 6th as the date for the trials. ? The Federal judge also refused to permit Gill and Rockingham to have separate trials. WANT GUNNERS OF NAVY TO MAN THE AMERICAN BOATS NEW YORK. Feb. 8.?While main taining that they have reached no decision regarding arming their ves sels, officials of the American line announced today they are anxious to get In touch with ex-gunners of the United States navy. WASHINGTON, Fob. 8.?The Amer ican liner St. I.ouis xylll not be given a convoy if she decided to sail for England, through the German submar ine zone, it was announced at the State Department today. BLACK SHEEP DANCE. The Black Sheep of Thane have complete arrangements for their big dance which is to be given in the big mess house at Thane tonight. Special ferry boats have been char tered to leave Juneau at 8:30 o' clock with the guests from Juneau. Special music has been arranged and delicious refreshments will bo serv ed by thu Black Sheep to their invit ed guests. The Alma will be the ferry leaving at 8:30 and returning after the dance. Today's News Today?in Empire. ? JAM&S V GERARD ? Recalled United States Ambassador Who Is Being Held by the Germans with Other Amer- I icans as Hostage. GUNS FOR THE PROTECTION OF NEW YORK SENT WEST POINT. Feb. 8.?All avail able six-inch seigc guns at this place have been ordered shipped to New York today for use at the forts around that city for protection. ORDEBCRUfSERS TO STOCK FOR A 9 MONTHS SEIGE SEATTLE, Feb. 8.?All armored cruisers at the Puget Sound navy yard received instructions from Washington this afternoon to im mediately take stores and provisions aboard for full commission at sea for nine months. fourteen sent to bottom in past 24 hours NEW YORK. Feb. 8.?Fifty-nine ships have been sunk by submarines or mines, according- to a compilation of cable reports since the blockade took effect. Fourteen vessels with a tonnage of 29.997 were lost late yes terday and last night. London, Feb. 8.?British steamers St. Ninian and Corsician Prince were sunk today off Land's End. The survivors were landed. Seventeen of the members of the two crews | are missing. wirelSsnews of steamers is put under ban WASHINGTON. Feb. 8.?Secre tary of the Navy Daniels today ordered that no more wireless re ports of the position at sea of Am erican vessels will be given. WOMAN*NAMED 7N "LEAK" CASE GIVES UP HER EVIDENCE WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.?Mrs. Vis county tho woman named by Thomas I^awson as having told him about the "leak," gave her information to the House committee In executive ses sion. ALL AMERICANS BEING HELD BY GERMAN NATION Ambassador Gerard Who Is Still in Berlin Is Detained With All Others. WHAT GERMANY WANTS Von Bernstorff and Crews of Interned Boats Are to Be Promised Free Conduct Home. BERLIN, Feb. 8.?The German government will not permit United States Ambassador James W. Gerard and officials of the American embas sy or any American citizens to leave Germany until it has received infor nation that safe conduct has been granted German Ambassador von Bernstorff and his staff. Ambasador Gerard announced to day that he would not leave Berlin jnless all American correspondents and other American citizens could leave also. GRANT SAFE CONDUCT. Washington, Feb. 8. ? Advices have been received here that France will grant safe conduct to the German Ambassador, H. von Bernstorff. Washington. Feb. 8.?Great Brit ain has granted safe conduct to Bernstorff stipulating that he must touch at Halifax to have his papers examined. This afternoon it was divulged that the United States had insisted trom both the British and French governments that they grant safe conduct to the German ambassador who has been handed his passports. DETENTIONS ARE CONFIRMED. London. Feb. 8.?The German government will require guarantees that von Bernstorff and the men on ill the German ships in American ports be permitted to leave the Unit ed States, before allowing Gerard and other Americans in Germany to depart, according to the Copenhagen Politikcn, as quoted in a Reuter dis patch. This information, the Politiken says, is contained in telegram sent by Gerard to the American legation at Copenhagen. All Americans in Germany, in cluding those captured by the Ger man raider in the South Atlantic and taken to Germany on the Yar rowdale, are detained as hostages. An Exchange Telegraph dispatch (Continued on Pr.go Eight) * T STEAMER MOVEMENT I and Mail Information I I NOW BOUNO NORTH Jefferson is northbound with ! three days' mail. Should be (Juc Sunday. Prince Albert will be due from the south Friday morning. Brings no mail. Mariposa saied from Seattle at 9 o'clock this morning. Has ' 1 day's mail. 1 SCHEDULED SAILINGS I | Al-Ki Is scheduled to sail from I Seattle tomorrow night. Admiral Evans is scheduled to j sail Feb. 15th. Princess Sophia is scheduled to 1 sail from Vancouver Saturday i night. SOUTHBOUND SAILINGS Alaska Is scheduled to sail | southbound at 4 o'clock this ' afternoon. OTHER SAILINGS Northwestern sailed westbound ' last night shortly after mid-| night. | 4- *