The weekly Alaska citizen., February 04, 1918, Image 1

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

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He Who Wastes a Crust of Bread Prolongs the War
THE WEEKTY AT, ASK A CITIZEN
VOL. VIII.__FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, MONDAY MORNING, Feb. 4, 1918. NQ.50
I
TWO AVIATORS
ARE SENTENCED
FOR LONG TERM
(Associated Press'
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 2.—Two Brit
ish aviators have been sentenced to
serve ten-year terms in German pris
ons at hard labor for dropping hos
tile proclamations over German
towns. The aviators were members
of a British squadron which recently
flew over a number of German towns
dropping proclamations to the work
ing class of Germans showing the
allied aims and revealing the duplici
ty of the German military leaders.
The two aviators were brought to
earth by German flyers and tried
before a military court. Thousands
of proclamations were dropped. An
account of the incident was pub
lished in full in the Berlin Tages
Zeitung, a copy of which has just
been received here.
REPRISAL DEMANDED
LONDON, Feb. 2.—Great indigna
tion is expressed throughout the
country over the action of Germany .
in throwing two British aviators in i
prison for long sentences because
they dropped proclamations hostile
to the German government over sev
eral German cities. The newspapers
in this city are a unit in demanding
that reprisals of some kind be taken
by the British government for this
outrage. It is suggested that German
aviators captured by the British from
raiding parties over England be treat
ed as criminals. - «
BREAK PLANNED
BY ARGENTINA
(Associated Pr«-ssl
BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 2.—It is i
now believed that Argentina is plan-1
ning to break relations with the
German government. The necessary
steps will take probably about one
month.
All preparations are being made
to this end, and, while President
Irlgoyen has made no official an
nouncement, it is believed that he
has decided to line up with the al
lied nations. The military attaches
at both Berlin and Vienna were yes
terday ordered to return home im
mediately. Other actions are being
taken which indicate that Argentina
is about to break with the Huns.
Such a step will receive the ap
proval of the great mass of people
of the republic, who are strongly
pro-ally in their sentiments.
AUSTRIANS ENDEAVORING TO
DESTROY SERBIAN PEOPLES;
40,000 DIE FROM STARVATION
(Associated Press)
ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS IN NORTHERN
ITALY, Eeb. 2.—Information brought back from Austrian
prison camps by exchanged Italian prisoners indicates that
the Austrian government is making a systematic effort to
wipe the Serbian race out of existence. The Italians also
bring word of extreme cruelty being practiced upon all pris
oners held by the Austrians.
Great indignation was aroused by the recital of the bar
barities committed by the Austrians. The condition of the
returning captives, many of whom have undergone severe
injuries and all of whom are unfit for further military ser
* vice, beggars description. The ill-effects of the treatment
received have severely undermined the health of the men,
and their lives are greatly shortened thereby.
The Italians say, however, that their condition is noth
ing when compared to the Serbian prisoners in camps where
they have been held. This treatment is not practiced in an
isolated camp, but in several, as prisoners from different
camps report the same conditions. The Serbs are confined
in iron cages and given the same treatment as dangerous
wild beasts. No one ever enters the cages. Food is thrown
through the bars to the prisoners in the scantiest of quanti
ties and of the most inferior quality.
The Italians assert that between 30,000 and 40,000 Ser
bians held by the Austrians have died from starvation, and
many thousands more will suffer from the same fate unless
they are speedily released. It is a plain, systematic cam
paign of extermination which is being carried out by the
Austrian prison camp officials under the authority of the
Austrian government, the exchanged prisoners declare.
GERMANS CLAIM AMERICAN MONEY RACKS
STRIKE MOVEMENT WHICH IS SPREADING
May Revoke Heatless
Order In Short Time
FUEL ADMINISTRATION INDI
CATES THAT CLOSING ORDER
MAY BE REVOKED SOON
(Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 2.
—According to an announcement
made here tonight, the national
fuel administration is willing to
revoke the heatless Monday or
der if, in the opinion of the state
administrators, it has served its
original purpose. The state aa
mlnistrators meet here next Mon
day for conference, and if they
so advise, Monday will be the
last heatless Monday, for the
,recent at any rate.
The heatless order enforces the
closing of all business houses,
theatres, schools and similar plac
es every Monday. It has still
eight weeks to run unless re
voked. Much fuel has been sav
ed by the order, and it is possi
ble that its extension is not
necessary.
SUPREME BOARD
ENDS SESSIONS
(Assoctated Press i
VERSAILLES, France, Feb. 2.—
The supreme war council of the al
lied nations closes the present series 1
of meetings here this afternoon. The
session has . been progressing for
several days with representatives from '
all nations actually engaged in the
war against Germany in attendance.
America was represented by Gen-,
eral Pershing and General Tasker
H. Bliss, the present head of the
American general staff. The dele
gates had no statement to make for
publication, but it is known that the
meeting was called to discuss tenta
tive plans for the coming spring
operations. Much interest was at
tached to the American representa
tives’ presence on account of the re
cent taking over of a portion of the
French lines permanently by the
troops under General Pershing.
(Associated Press)
LONDON, Feb. 2.—Much interest has been added to the strike situation in Ger
many by the publication in German newspapers of an outline of an alleged Anglo-Am
erican plot to spread dissension throughout the central powers among the working classes.
The German papers claim that they have discovered evidence which proves beyond pos
sibility of a doubt that 250,000,000 marks was raised in Washington for use by a German
organization which was to start a revolt and strikes throughout Germany and the territory
of her allies.
The government press declares that the present strikes are the outcome of this
money, which is being used by a German organization. Following the publication of the
alleged plot, threats of using the military forces are made. The measures being used by
the government have not yet suppressed the strikers. Disorders are reported in many
sections of the country.
KAISER’S FALL THIS YEAR
AN ATLANTIC PORT, Feb. 2.—Reverend Aloysius Daniels Hewitt, of Wiscon
sin, arriving here tonight after three years spent in a German university, believes that a
revolution will overthrow the Hohenzollern rule in Germany unless the war ends this year.
Conditions within Germany, he declares, are worse than is imagined in this country.
Thousands of people, he declares, are literally starving to death. Very few per
sons over fifty years of age are living, and these are succumbing on account of the lack
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He says that President Wilson is being abused by thousands of people, but that he
is not abused nearly as much as both the kaiser and the crown prince, who are being
blamed for the war.
Rev. Hewitt left Germany shortly after the outbreak of hostilities between Ger
many and the United States, and has been in Switzerland since that time.
, ., - DITTMAN ARRESTED „
LONDON, Feb. 2.—Advices received here this morning state that Herr Dittman,
one of the most influential and prominent socialist members of the German reichstag, has
been arrested by the military authorities in Berlin and is now confined in a military prison.
He was arrested for addressing a crowd of strikers in a Berlin suburb, the headquarters
of the strikers.
The arrest has caused much indignation among the socialists and strikers, and
nation-wide demonstrations are being organized as a protest. Demands have been made
to Chancellor von Hertling for his immediate release.
HERTLING POWERLESS
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 2.—Answering the demands of the socialist organization that
Herr Dittman, who was this morning arrested in Berlin, Chancellor von Hertling de
clared that he is powerless to act. He states that Berlin has been placed under the con
trol of the military authorities and he is powerless to interfere.
The German government is taking the utmost precaution to stamp out the strikes
and to prevent recurrence of the disorders. It is reported that all the Berlin factories are
being militarized, and future strikes will result in the execution of strikers under mili
tary law.
RIOTING IN SPADAU
LONDON, Feb. 2.—Serious rioting is reported to be taking place in Spadau, where
many important war industries are located. A great mob of strikers attacked a detachment :
of soldiers and repulsed them in a sharp engagement. Seven factories there have been
placed under martial law, and a large force of soldiers is now guarding the plants.
TROUBLE SPREADING
NEW YORK, Feb. 2.—The Associated Press in its daily summary of war condi
tions states that the German workers are still restless, although the strike movement has \
been apparently at least temporarily checked by the harsh measures being used by the
government. Further demonstrations are being threatened by the strikers, and sporadic
disorders are continuing throughout the empire. Berlin has been placed completely under
martial law. The labor troubles are spreading beyond the confines of the empire. Botl
Holland and Switzerland are now threatened with grave labor troubles which may re
sult in a complete readjustment of governmental machinery in both nations._
I ATORSNOW
NG SENT TO
PENITENTIARIES
NEW YORK, Feb. 2.—Emma Gold
man and Alexander Berkman, under
sentence to serve two years in fed
eral penitentiaries, today defiantly
surrendered to federal officers and
are now enroute to begin their time.
Emma Goldman will be sent to Jef
ferson City, Mo., and Berkman will
go to Atlanta.
When he was arrested Berkman
said that the Russian Bolshevik!
‘ will shortly make a demand that
the government release both him
and his co-consplr&tor and return
them to Russia.
Last night both Goldman and Berk
man made impassioned speeches be
fore the Russian colonial congress,
which Is controlled by the BolBhe
vlkl supporters, and urged the dele
gates to carry the spirit of the Rus
sian revolution through America and
sweep away the present government
as it has been done already in Rus
sia. Both were exceedingly bitter In
their denunciation of the government
and equally positive In their con
viction that the Bolsbevikl would
find means to free them from im
prisonment.
BIG RADIO FOR
SAMMIES ABROAD
(Appoctatert Pr*M*i
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 2.—
The navy department announced to
night that it will Immediately begin
the Installation of a monster radio
plant in France at the headquarters
of General Pershing. This station
will be used for official dispatches,
and possibly will be able to work
direct with the big government plant
at Arlington, Va.
The completed plant, it is esti
mated, will cost $2,250,000, and it
will be completed and ready for ope
ration not later than August next.
Much of the material is already In
France, and the remainder of it will
be shipped at once. The station will
be turned over to the French gov
ernment for use after the end of
the war.
EA8TERN 8TAR WILL
MEET NEXT FRIDAY
The next regular meeting of Mid
night Sun Chapter No. 6, Order of
the Eastern Star, will be held at the
Masonic Temple next Friday night
A full attendance is requested, as
matters of importance will be be
fore the meeting, including initiating
and balloting for candidates.
SECRETARY WILL!
NOT RECOMMEND
PACIFIC BASES
(Axxociateil PrxMii
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 2.—
Secretary Daniels this afternoon au
thorized the announcement that he
will not ask the President and con
gress for appropriations for new
naval stations on the South Atlantic.
Gulf and Pacific coasts which have
been recommended by a special
board and by Rear Admiral Helms.
The money which would be required
for such work would amount to a
great deal, and under the present
circumstances the secretary stater
that it is extremely unlikely that
the stations could be built in time
to be of service during the war.
It is his opinion that the money
can be put to better use in other
directions at this time, and when
the war Is concluded It may be
shown that these bases are not nec
essary.
The stations recommended by the
board included a submarine and avi
ation base for the Puget Sound navy
yards, and a submarine station at
Port Angeles. Washington.
4
Mutilation Of Hand
Proves Disastrous
TWO MEN CUT OFF FINGERS TO
ESCAPE SERVICE—ARE SEN
TENCED TO LONG TERMS
(Associated pr-s,s<
GREENVILLE, S. C., Feb. 2.—
Two men who cut off fingers
from their hands, hoping in this
manner to evade military ser
vice, were convicted by a mili
tary court here today and given
long prison sentences. As far
as is known, these are the only
cases of their kind to have oc
curred in America.
One of them, Edward Causey,
cut three fingers off his right
hand, and was given a sentence
of seven years. The other, Lark
Triplett, was given four years in
prison for cutting three fingers
off his left hand. Both men were
privates in the national army.
STREET BATTLE
IN WINDY CITY
CHICAGO, Feb. 2.—Three robbers
held up a saloon in the downtown
district here tonight, and when they
emerged into the street were halted
by a squad of policemen which had
been summoned by the saloon keeper
unnoticed by the robbers. The street
was crowded at the time, and hun
dreds of people scattered in all di
rections as the battle began.
The robbers drew revolvers and
attempted to fight their way through
the cordon of police. One of them
was successful in his attempt, bat
one of the others was killed and one
seriously wounded. Three police
men and one bystander who did not
reach cover in time were wounded
but not seriously.
John Webster, of Chatanlka, if
among the town visitors.
SUBMARINES ARE HELD, STATES
CEDDES; LOSSES TO MERCHANT
VESSELS BELOW FORMER LEVE
(Associated Press)
DATELESS TO ASSOCIATED PRESS MEMBERS.
--In summarizing the ruthless warfare of German subtna
rines for the period of one year, Sir Eric Geddes, first lord
of the British admiralty, states-: “The submarine i> held.'
Sir Eric states also that the rate of sinkings is dropping
below the rate of losses to British merchant shipping be
lore the inauguration of the unrestricted campaign one
year ago.
Coincident with the announcement of Sir Eric comes a
disclosure from Dutch newspapers that German military
and financial authorities are still expressing the conviction
that England will be defeated within the next six months
by the submarines. These disclosures probably mean that
Ihe German government is preparing to redouble the ener
gies of its U-boats. *
The naval critics of the allied countries are not uneas\
over the likelihood of success of the German campaign.
The events of the past year have proven to them conclusive
ly that the German undersea campaign can never sink suffi
cient shipping to starve England and France into submis
sion or force an unjust peace favorable to the Teutons.
The naval experts forecast an even more successful anti
submarine campaign during the present year than that of
1917 on account of the vast amount of experience acquired
in the methods of waging it.
Sir Eric Geddes, in his summary of the first year’s ope
rations, states that, while the submarine is held, the great
need of the allies is more ships and still more ships. It is
conceded that the losses which will inevitably be incurred
will be a drain upon the shipping of the allied nations. The
outlook, however, is extremely favorable, as the number of
ships turned out each week is increasingly larger, and the
enlarged shipyards of Amreica will begin to make them
selves felt within a short time.
OUR BOYS HOLD
TRENCHES THRU
MARSHY OUND
< Associated l*r•-»•«)
WITH THE AMERICAN ARM V IN
FRANCE, Feb. 2.—The sector which
has been taken over permanently
by the American force lies through
! very swampy and marshy ground.
The trenches are practically im
: men.se drains for this territory, and
cairy off much water.
The Americans are forced to ope
rate pumps with more or less fre
quency in order to prevent their
dugouts from filling with the water.
The marshiness Is not an unmixed
evil, however, as i: has so far kept
I the trenches free turn rats, which
| are a serious pest in certain other
sectors.
In some plac.s th-* American Hues
are only sixty feet away from tin
enemy trenches, while at others
more than a mile separates the two
opposing armies. Friday was very
quiet in the sector, very little ac
tivity of any kind being report* d.
The artillery firing was infrequent,
being hindered by a heavy fog which
hugged the ground over both lines.
The famous Norwegian explorer,
Amunasen, is visiting me American
trenches under special authority of
the American war department. lie
is acting in the capacity of corre
spondent for some Scandinavian
newspapers and will write a series
of articles upon the work of the
A^i : can.'
SPOKANE AGAIN
ON ALASKA RUN
SEATTLE, Wash., Feb. The
steamer Spokan^ will leave tills port
on her old Alaska run this after
noon with a full cargo. This is the
first trip made by the Spokane sine.'
she was wrecked at Idol point set -
eral weeks ago.
At first It was thought that the
vessel was a complete loss, but quick
work by salvage tugs iioated her
and she was brought to Seattle for
permanent repairs. The boat has
been thoroughly overhauled and is
in first class condition. The re
sumption of her regular schedule will
greatly relieve the Alaska shipping
conditions.