The weekly Alaska citizen., January 21, 1918, Image 1

About The weekly Alaska citizen. (Fairbanks, Alaska) 1917-1920

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Food will win (he War-Don’t Waste It
THE WEEKLY ALASKA| CITIZEN
VOL. VIII. FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, MONDAY MORNING, Jan. 21, 1918. NO. 48
RUSSIA TO SEND DELEGATES TO ALL WARRING NATIONS
BRITISH DRIVE
TURKS BACK IN
FIERCE BATTLE
(Associated Press)
LONDON, Jan. 19.—General Allen
by’s forces In Palestine continue to
press forward against the Turks, ac
cording to advices received tonight.
The British war office tonight made
an official announcement stating that
the British forces have advanced
more than a mile on a four-mile
front twelve miles north of Jeru
salem.
The Moslems have been offering
a stiffened resistance to the forces
of General Allenby for the past week,
and are known to have been rein
forced by several regiments of Ger
man soldiers. The superior artillery
Are of the British gunners has ren
dered the Turks powerless to make
any long stand before the British
assaults.
General Allenby reports that sev
eral hundred prisoners were captured
in today’s engagement and a consid
erable amount of war supplies also.
The British are pressing the enemy
back steadily.
Morris Barbettini came in from
Pox yesterday on one of the creek
autos.
Miss Evelyn Houck went out to
Pox yesterday afternoon for a week
end visit.
Steamer s Steward
Arrested For Spy
SUSPECTED OF CONNECTION
WITH PLOT TO BLOW UP
THE ADMIRAL SCHLEY
(Aspnriptprl Press'
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Jan.
19.—Leo Michaelis was arrested
here today and detained as an
enemy alien. It was reported
that he was suspected of con
nection with a plot to blow up
the steamer Admiral Schley, on
which he was steerage steward.
Federal officials ran across the
plot to destroy the steamer, and
I the work was supposed to have
I bee. i done by some member of
the crew. Michaelis, suspected
of being a German citizen, was
at once arrested. He furnished
a satisfactory explanation to the
offlclal8 and has been released
from custody. As an enemy alien
he will, however, be barred from
holding his place on the Admiral
Schley. - I
RESTRICTION ORDER BRINGING
RELIEF TO CONGESTED ROADS
IN EAST; MANY SHIPS CLEAR
(Associated Press)
WASHINGTON. D. C., jan. 19.—The national fuel ad
ministration announces that the fuel restriction order has
resulted in a marked improvement in the coal famine situa
tion. The second day's operation of the order has proven
that it was based on sound reasoning, and the benefits ac
cruing therefrom worth the sacrifices which the country
has made.
The conservation order has resulted in many houses
being warmed, hundreds of ships have been supplied with
fuel neressarv for them to make the trin across the Atlantic
and return, and the congestion of railway transportation
has been relieved to a limited extent.
The government expects that each succeeding day that
the order is effective will find the situation improving pro
portionately greater. The railway situation will show a much
more marked improvement during the remaining three days
than it has during the first two.
EMPTY CARS MOVING
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 19.—The administration
tonight shows that the transportation congestion throughout
the east is being cleared with even greater rapidity than had
been counted on. The bunker coal has been unloaded in in
creasingly large quantities. A few empty cars began to
move back to the mines yesterday, and hundreds of others
followed today.
It is now believed that the coal question has been solved
by the ^uel administration. With the sidings cleared of
loaded cars, and these hauled to storage places and unloaded
and returned to the mines, it is thought that many mine1
will be able to turn out their full capacity, and thousands of
miners who have been idle for many weeks will resume work.
GOTHAM SITUATION IMPROVED
NEW YORK, Jan. 19.—The local coal famine situatior
is greatly improved as the result of the first two days’ opera
tion of the national fuel administration’s restriction order.
The most marked improvement has been in the bunkering
ships situation. It is reported that the sailings during the
past twenty-four hours have exceeded the arrivals for the
first time since the bunker situation became alarmingly acute.
The domestic supply is also improved, a greater supply being
received than for months.
FEARS ALLAYED
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 19.—The fears of many
of the nation’s lawmakers that the coal restriction order
would result in a great national calamity have been allayed
by the events of the first two days’ operations. The vast
beneficial effects which have been noted in both the coal and
the railroad situations have convinced many former doubt
ers of the wisdom of the action.
The order is by no means as drastic as was at first be
lieved. Many plants have been exempted from the order
on account of their importance to national existence, and the
order is working out to the satisfaction of nearly everyone.
UNLESS DEMOCRATIC PEACE SECURED
RUSSIA WILL RESUME WAR PROGRAM
(Associated Press)
PETROGRAD, Jan. 19.—The organization of the constituent assembly meeting
here today was completed late this afternoon, and it is declared that the assembly should
immediately issue a call for a conference of all the entente nations for a thorough con
sideration of war aims. The assembly will probably take this up the first thing Mon
day morning.
M. Tchernoff, a leader of the right wing of the social revolutionists, was elected
as chairman of the assembly against an opposition of the Bolsheviki element, which with
drew from the meeting and will probably take no further hand in the deliberations. It i
possible that the radicals will now make an attempt to break up the assembly, but it is not
thought probable, as it is supported by the great majority of the Russian social revolution
ary party.
REDS KILL FIVE
PETROGRAD, Jan. 19.—The constituent assembly opened its first session yester
day, with President Sverdloff, of the central executive committee of the congress of work
men's and soldiers’ delegates, presiding. The threatened demonstrations against the Bols: c
viki control of Russia were confined to parades of small groups of men and women.
No serious disorder was noted. One group of paraders composed of soldiers anc
peasants was fired upon by a Red Guard, five of the paraders being killed and twelvi
wounded. This effectively put an end to the demonstrations. A1 he Bolsheviki are as
semblling a large force so that any attempt to overthrow its power will be met with se
vere measures.
nAr f'TTT't r T 1/ T rvl^T?T^ A
Swift Plant Burns
In Rio De Janiero
AMERICAN PACKING HOUSE LOS
ES HALF A MILLION DOL
LARS IN A BIG FIRE.
(Associated Press)
RIO DE JANEIRO. Jan. 19.—
Swift & Company’s big Brazilian
plant was completely destroyed
here this morning by a fire of
what is believed to have been
of incendiary origin. The loss is
estimated at half a million dol
lars, and it will be several
months before it can be replaced.
None were lost In the fire.
The delay which will be caused
by the loss of the plant is far
more serious than the actual
monetary loss incurred. It is be
lieved that the fire is the result
of a German plot seeking to in
jure the packing industry of
ouuLii rtiuemid. uus w«i» out?
of the largest plants in South
America and produced millions
of dollars' worth of meat pro
ducts annually.
>5 HUNS DROWN
WHILE ON PASS
_
(Associated Press»
BERLIN, Jan. 19.—An official state- j
ment issued this morning by the1
German war office declares that 25
German soldiers were killed and a
similar number injured in a train j
wreck last night. The wreck was j
caused by three passenger coaches j
falling into the Nahe river. The
washout of a large dam caused the
accident.
The cars fell from the track into
the flooded river and were complete
ly submerged. Fifty men were in
the cars, and twenty-five managed to
fight their way out of the wreckage
and make the shore. All of the sol
diers were on leave of absence from
the front and were enroute home
for a short visit to their families.
Ben Simson, the Nenana merchant,
is in town on a business trip.
V IIVI
LONDON, Jan. 19.—The Bolsheviki members of the constituent assembly were dt
fcated in the first real test of strength this morning when their candidate for chairman c
Pi^a-isemhly was defeated by a large vote.- The Red element composing the left win,
of the social revolutionary party immediately withdrew from the meeting.
A wireless dispatch from Petrograd states that the Bolsheviki members were pn
pared to force their candidate upon the assembly, but were unable to do so in the fac
of the overwhelming majority of their opponents. The defeat of the Bolsheviki candi
date is believed here to be a repudiation of the radical element by the mass of Russia
people.
MORE BOLSHEVIKI TROUBLE
UNDATED.—Another halt is reported between the Russo-German peace negotia
tions. Advices received in London state that the Germans are apparently trying to force
the Russians to break off negotiations definitely, on a minor question, so that the Ten
tons can cast the blame on the Russians, thus strengthening the German government’s
hand at home.
The Bolsheviki-Rumanian relations are still at a breaking point, and actual hostili
ties may be forthcoming within the next few hours. King Ferdinand, of Rumania, whose
arrest has been ordered by the Bolsheviki, is reported to be under the protection of tlu
entente allies.
GET BACK IN WAR
PETROGRAD Jan. 19.—The sentiment of the constituent assembly, while ii
favor of a democratic peace which will insure a permanent peace to all the world, is foi
war if the Teutons will not agree to this. Chairman Tchernoff said: “If Germany re
fuses to grant a democratic peace, Russia can help by holding the German armies in tin
east, while a final decision is reached on the western front. We are ready to do this il
peace negotiations bring unsatisfactory results.”
The session of the constituent assembly today was stormy, many wordy debate:
being indulged in. Decrees awarding peasants specified land grants were adopted. /
proposal to send delegates to all the warring nations to arrange for a world peace wa;
also adopted. _
ITALIANS BEAT
TEUTON ATTACK
ON WIDE FRONT
(Amc)ntH Prchsi
ROME, Jan. 19.—The Teuton lead
ers have apparently determined to
make another serious effort to break
through the Italian lines on the lower
Plave river, and have launched sev
eral serious assaults there in the
last week. The latest one of these
was driven at the Italian ' positions
Friday, and was repulsed with con
siderable losses, a number of Teu
ton prisoners being taken.
The attack was made on a wide
front by great masses of enemy in
fantry. The Italian gunners had the
range perfectly, and tore great gaps
in the enemy ranks with artillery.
Under a murderous machine gun fire
the Teuton forces wavered and re
treated to their positions without
ever entering the Italian lines.
WINTER WEATHER
UNDATED, Jan. 19.—The only in
fantry activity of any importance
chronicled during the last twenty
four hours was the Teuton assault
on the Italian lines on the lowei
Plave river front, where they were
repulsed without difficulty. The oth
er Italian and Prench fronts have
settled down to the usual wtntei
routine. Intermittent artillery duels
are reported from all sectors, and
several trench raids are reported.
DEMAND BETTER
DISTRIBUTION
FOOD SUPPLIES
(AMincialftl rr*H»*l
LONDON, Jan. 19.—For the first
time since the beginning of the war
several serious food demonstrations
were reported today. In several
places many workmen paraded in
demonstrations demanding a bettei
system of food distribution. Appeals
were made to the government tc
relieve the situation so that there
would be sufficient supplies in all
places.
In some towns it is admitted that
women waited hours before food
shops and were finally sent home
empty-handed, unable to secure sup
plies. This condition Is being re
lieved tonight by the food director
It Is not caused by any shortage in
food supplies, but by a failure ol
the distribution system to meet the
existing conditions.
There was no disorder at any ol
the demonstrations, and when the
appeals had been made to the au
thorities the workmen dispersed with
out being forced to do so. In nc
place was there any semblance ol
rioting.
Albert S. Carruthers, a former rest
dent of this city, is reported to have
joined the aviation corps on the
Ontslde.
SHIP OWNED BY
UNNATURALIZED
GERMAN SEIZED
(AFFOclatert Press)
NEW YORK, Jan. 19.—The plea
sure yacht Joycuse; which is be
iieved to be the property of Emi
j Kleuge, a German residing at Engle
| wood, N. J., was this morning seized
by United States marshals. The of
I ficlals state that the yacht was equip
| ped with a powerful wireless outfli
which would be able to communi
cate with vessels far out at sea.
The vessel is built of steel and
could be very easily converted into
an auxiliary war vessel, without any
great expenditure or labor. It hat
recently been cruising along the At
1 lantlc coast with no apparent des
tination and no purpose which could
jbe discovered, it was the mysteri
ous cruising which aroused the curl
losity and suspicion of the authori
ties.
| Kleuge has been a resident of Am
erica for several years, bift has never
been naturalized. He ipas aboard
the vessel at the time of the seizure.
The Joyeuse was manned entirely
by a Swedish crew, not an Ameri
can or Englishman being on board.
The government will probably con
fiscate the vessel, and Intern Kleuge
as an enemy alien until the end of
the war. (
PRUSSIANS ARE
BACKING RULER
IN HIS CUIIUS
(Associated frees)
HERNE, Jan. 19.—By an over
whelming vote, the Prussian chatn
her of lords today reaffirmed the
exclusive right of the German em
peror to makj war or peace. it
also expressed the hope that :he
government’s peace terms will safe
guard the kaiser’s rights and secure
terms commen-ura e with the sacri
fices of the Ge man p-ople In carry
ing on the war.
This action of the Prussian cham
ber Is merely anot'vr indication that
the German mmtary n’- .> are con
vinced that they ere (irmly seated
in the saddle and mean to keep a
close grip on Germany until the
very last breath. It Is an expression
of the continued belief in tin- divini
ty of the appointment of the kaiser
as ruler of Germany and 'he right
of Germany to make war in any
manner prescribed by him. and
peace according to the dictates of
the government and not the wishes
of the common people.
BRITISH PLANES
(Associated Press ■
LONDON, Jan. 19.- An official an
nouncement made tonight by the war
office states that a large squadron
of British airplanes attacked and in
flicted heavy losses on a marching
column of German infantry. The
enemy was located by a British
scout plane and several bombing ma
chines were summoned for a con
certed attack.
The British planes descended to an
exceedingly low level and dropped
hundreds of bombs on the closely
formed lines of the enemy. After
the bomb supply of the British fly
ers had been exhausted, the ma
chine guns were turned on the ene
my and terrible execution was done.
Hundreds of the enemy were killed.
None of the British planes were
damaged.
Word has been received that Cap
tain Vaughn Taylor, . son of It.
Taylor, of this city, has been ph
on the staff of the major general
charge of one of the big train
camps In Alabama.
CERTAIN SHORT LINES WILL
BE RELEASED SHORTLY FROM
OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT
(Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 19.—New development
n the government’s operation of the nation’s railway sys
ems were announced this afternoon by Director Genera
..icAdoo before the senate interstate commerce committee
t hese were the probable extension of government opcratioi
o include inland waterways, including canals, and the release
of certain short lines which it is thought are not necessan
to carry out the administration’s plan of unification.
Director General McAdoo was called before the senate
nterstate commerce committee to explain tully the plan oi
,overnment operation of the railways and make clear the
purpose of the administration’s railway legislation which is
now pending in the senate.
He stated that it was not the intention of the govern
ment to keep the lines which are unnecessary to the govern
ment’s program nor would it be necessary to compensate
those lines which are not taken over. He also said that if
l should develop that the operation of the canals is neces
sary they, too, will be taken over. He added that govern
ment operation will also be extended to inland waterways.
It has already been determined, he said, to release a num
ber of local short lines from government operations, as it
has been found that they could be handled as efficiently by
private owners as under government authority.
In concluding, Mr. McAdoo urged the committee to ac
complish the speedy passage of the administration’s railway
bill clearing the way for floating $10,000,000,000 worth c
bonds by the government before the end of the presc t
fiscal year.