davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
IS CAUSE OF BIG
 MICHIGAN FIRE

LANSING, Mich, Feb. 20. - Fire caused by explosion Of unknown or igin, destroyed tho old state building this forenoon. James Helme. state dairy commissioner, was carried out of the building unconscious. The old structure burned like finder. At the time, the various offices were filled with many of the state employees, and several narrow escapes were reported Mir. Helmc was on the top floor md as the smoke filled the upper corri. dors he became bewildered and final Iy fell near a window of his office. Firemen raised ladders to the upper
 stories and they found Helme un' conscious and carried him down the ladder just as that portion of the building collapsed.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
TRY BLACKMAIL
 ON ALASKA MAN

A woman has confessed to Deputy Sheriff Hally and this confession has been the basis for the action taken by Sheriff Hodge In Q statement the woman Is said to have made she stated to Sheriff Hodge the part she played in the alleged blaclmlil game,
 q met Mir silverman. through an- other man wlIom had been introduc- ed to by si:hler. sichler told me that SiIvermin had been looked up and that he had plenty of money. l was told to go after silverman im- mediately. l called up Mir. Silyerman at his club and made an engagement With him. Accordingly, met him one afternoon and we got some pic lures, some of which were fair and some good. slchIer later told me that Silverman would not come acrcss' and that he got nothing out of han.
 'I met Mir. silverman on tie street one afternoon. If l remember cor. rectly 1t was on First avenue. Silver man told me that, someone had tele- phoned him md asked him to go to their office that they had some pictures they wanted .o show him. It was ex- pIaIned to sIIverman, 30 he told me. that the pictures were in the posses sion of certain husband and show. ed siIyermnn in company with the Husbands wife.
 "siIverman told me that if any hrs- band sprung any pictures Ike that on him he would kill him. He then told me that his attorney had finally set tied the matter for him.
 q went and told sichler what su- verman had told me. sichler then said that somebody might have got plenty of money out of silverman but that he never had"
 sichler was today releaued on s5.OOO bond.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

SEATTLE, Fob. 25. -- A sensation has been created here following the arrest Of Louie p. sIchler, who Is charged with blackmaII. A prominent Alaskan Is one of the many vIctlms whom slchler either "sot" or tried to "aet." slehler 10 charged with pho- tosraphlns prominent Seattle and AL asI<an men In compromising pcsitIcns In the hats Of women Of loose char acter.
 Samuel silyerman, the well known Alaska mining man. who is now in New York City, was today named by Sheriff Robert Hodge, as one of the many prominent victims fought to be blaclmailed by sichler and others who are alleged to have put up large sums.
 sichler. 1t is charged, carried on his operations in connection with Isabel clayburg, now under arrest at Los Angeles; Lillian Peters, who has fled to Montana, and other women here. The clayburg woman is now fighting against her return here.
 sherin Hodge Is in possession of many compromising photographs of the various victims. sichler. accord ing to the sheriff. operated camera from clothes closets In the homes or flats occupied by the women inyolv- ed in the blaclsmail case.
 sichler is Q lawyer, private detec- tive and a financial agent andsis said to have considerable property in se- attle and other places of the Puget Sound district. He is charged with blacl,mail in having thr .atened to con hive at. and publish a libel in an at tempt to extort s2,OOO from Mfr siI- verman. The latter !s said to have re- fused point blank Co nay sichIer any thing and is said to have threatened to deal summarily with anyone who attempted to force the issue.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
TO PAY THREE
 MILLION FOR THE
 LINER MINNESOTA

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25.-A local morning paper today prints an arti- cle. and quotes Lou.s Hin, president of the Great Northern Railway, saying that the big steamship Minnesota is about to be sc,a to a British and French syndicate. The purchase price, according to the paper, is s. 100000. The Minnesota Is now laying at the dock here undergoing repairs. Several months ago she left Seattle enroute to London. loaded with muni- tions of war. Leaky boilers and other machinery trouble caused her to aban- don the voyage and return for re- pairs.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
GERMANS NEAR
 FRENCH FORT

lines at verdun will hold against the unprecedented assault of the Ger mans. The collosal smash for the great fortress of yerdun, led by the Grown Prince. continued all last night and throughout today. The yigor is absolutely unabated The great Ger man guns are keeping up an urinter- rupted bombardment but tho French are lighting valiantIy. Staggering losses have been inflicted on each side along the front, which is estI- mated to be 25 miles in extent.
 The fact that the Emperor, in per son. isd!recting the forces, Is contain. ed in word received from Berlin by way of Copenhagen end London.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
HOLD UP TRAIN AND
 MAKE ESCAPE

SEATTLE, Feb. 25.-The Northern Pacific crack North Coast limited eastbouud. was held up by two bandits near Auburn last night. Several shots of dynamite failed to open the ex- press safe and four bags of Oriental mall. supposed to contain a large amount of currency was taken. The were not molested. Sew eral shots were fired by the bandits at the members of the crew. The two robbers cut the engine loose and sped down the track. later stopping the locomotive and jumped into waiting auto and escaped
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
WILL BLOW UP STEAMER
 IN SEATTLE

SEATTLE, Feb. 25.-BOth the city and federal authorities received word this forenoon that the British steam ship Talthyblus, which is due tonight. win be blown up ao soon as she ar rives. This warning was an anony. nous one but the police and other of ncials immediately sent out patrol to escort the steamer here and guards have been placed at Pier 5 where the steamer Iinds. The Talthyb.us has. besides o:her freight. 5000 tons of rubber for the automobile dealers in the United States. Much of this rub Der will eventually find It's way on machines manufactured in this coun- try for tho use of the Allies.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
Hon William J. Stone. Chairman of tho Senate Foreign Re-
 lations Committee. ..AIv Denr Snnnfnr.

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Re-
 lations Committee
 My Dear Senator:
 q very warmly appreciate your kind. frank letter today and feel that it calls for an equally frank reply You are risht In assuming that shall do every thing in my power to keep us out of war. think the country win feel no uneasiness about my course in that re- spect through many anxious months I have strived for that object amidst dim- culties more manifold than can have been apparent upon tho surface. and 80 far I have succeeded. do not doubt that I shall continue to succeed
 ''The course which the central Euro pcan powers havo announced their fnton- tion ot following in the future with re- gard Co undcrsea warfare seems for the moment to threaten insuperabie obsta- cles. but .ts apparent meaning ls SO man. ifestly inconsistent with explicit assur- ances recently given us by these powers with regards to their treatment Of mer- chant vessels on the high seas that I must believe that explanations will pre- sently ensue which will put a different aspect on it. We have no reason to question their good faith or their fidelity Co their promises In the past and for one feel confident that we shall have none In the future.
 But ln any event. our duty is clear. No nation or group of nations has right while war is in progress Co alter or dis- regard principles which all nations have agreed upon in mitigation of thc hor- TOTS and sufferings of wnr. and 1T the clear right of American citizens should ever unhoppily bc abridged or denied by any such action we should it seems to me- have in honor no choice as to what our own course should be.
 ''For my own part. ! cannot consent to any abridgement of the right of Ameri- can citizens in any respect. The honor and self respect of the nation is involved. We covet peace. and shall preserve it at any cost but the loss of honor. To for bid our people to exercise their rights so ar as we might be called upon Co virdlcate them would be deep humiliation. Indeed lt would be an implicit all but an ex- pncit-acQuiescence in the violation of the rights of mankind everywhere. and whatever the nation or allegiance lt would be deliberate abdication Of our lib- erty and proud position as spokesman. even amid the turmoil of war for law and right IL would make everything this gov- ernment has attempted and everything that it has achieved. during this terrible struggle Of nations. meaningless and f,i- tile.
 "It is important to reflect that 1T in this instance we allow expediency to take the place of principle the door would inevitably be open Co stin further concessions. Once accept a single abate- ment or rest and many other humilia- tons would certainly follow and the whole fine fabric Of the law might crumble un- der our hands piece by piece What we are contending for In this matter is the very essence Of things that have made America a sovereign nation. She can- not yield them without concedlng her own impotency as a nation. md making Q virtual surrender Of her Independent
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

posltIon among tho nations of the world. I am speaking. my dear Senator, In deep solcmnlty without heat, with clear con- sclenceness Of tho high responsibilities Of my office, and as your sincere and de- voted friend. If we should unhappily dif- fer 1t must be as friends. but where Issues 90 momentous as these arc Involved. we must. just because we are friendg, speak our minds without reservation"
 WOODROW WILSON"
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
TO FIRE
 MUNITION TRAIN

TACOMA. Feb. 2s.-what is belIev- to be one Of the most remarkable eases Of attempted destruction was made today In bread day light and practically in tho heart of the ely. A band Of 20 organized AussrIans beard ed a Great Northern freight train. many of the cars being loaded with war munitions, and attempted to break into the ears and set fire to tho am intuition cases
 The train crew was overpowered, and although the engineer and ire man. were covered by two of the Au-
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
IDTTAROD MINER SUED FOR S5O,OOO
 BY ALLEGED WIFE

SEATTLE. Feb. 25.-Robert spen- cer McMillan, a well known mine op- orator of the I.dtarod district. Alaska. was today sued for $5O,OOO, heart balm by Olva D. Larson. The papers filed today state that Miss Larson met McMillan while he was work on the Engineer Creek near Fairbanks. He is claimed to have wooed and won. The "prctended" marriage. according to Miss Larson. was performed at Iditarod. Later Miss Larson learned that McMnlan had wife in Canada
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

strians who had loaded revolvers. the engineer suddenly secured the whis- tie cord and blew loud. sharp blasts.
 People came hurrying to the scene and the police were notified and a riot call sounded. A sharp battle be- tween the Austrians. police and oth. CTS resulted in the arrest of nearly all of the Austr.ans. Not a shot was fired although both sides fought with drawn revolvers. IT the Ausrians had succeeded In gaining their purposes and causing an explosion. one-third of the city would have suffered, and many lives would have been forfeited
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
PROMINENT sEATrLE
 ATTORNEY IS CALLED
 BEFORE THE LAST JUDGE

SEATTLE, Feb. 25.-w. T. DOyell, one of the brightest attorneys of the northwest, died early this morning. Three months ago Mr. Dovell was talk en III with pneumonia and aa opera ton was performed on his lungs. The operation was followed by a paralytic stroke which called for a second op- eration and this proved fatal. MT. Doyell was a member Of the firm of Hughes. McMicken, Ramsey & DovelI, with offices In the Colman building.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
WARSiIPS WANTED BY
 RUSSIANS

TOXIC, Feb. 25.-lt was announced today that the negotiations of the Russians for the purchase of the warships in the Russo Japan war by Japan are proceeding satisfactorily Eleven warships were taken at one time and the government has kept them in good condition since the var. Russia will use them in the present struggle as soon as the pur- chase is consummated.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
OVERTURNED CANDLE
 RESULTS IN A THREE
 MILLION DOLLAR FIRE

PAssAIc, N. J.. Feb. 25.-An over turned candle in the basement of Q paint store early this morning re- suited in fire. the loss being esti- mated at sS,OOO.OOO. Tho flames swcpt through the small house portion of the city and also destroyed two B. story tenement houses There are 24O families homeless as a result
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

 SWEEPING
 CONTINENT

LONDON. Feb. 25. - The British Isles is today in the grip of the most severe snow storm of years. It is reported from the continent that snow and severe weather prevails to- day throughout Europe. The Admir- alty announces thet operations have been halted in consequence of tho on several fronts.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
sToNE To PREslDENT.

QENFA 0N S 0AN~r f W t '-
 Senator Stone. in his letter to the President. which called forth that of the President, in part said;
 .I have felt that it lu due to you to say this much:
 :.As much and as deeply as would hate to radically disagree with you. find it difficult for my sense of duty and responsibility to consent to plunge this nation Into the vortex of this world war because. of unreasonable obst'nacy Of any Of tho powers upon one hand. or. on other hand through foolhnrdineas amounting to a. sort of mortal treason ageinst the Re- public on the other part of our people rcckiessly risking their lives on armed beillgcrcnt ships l cannot escape the conviction that such would be 80 mon- st-ous as to be indefenslble."
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
PRESIDENTS LETTER
 TO SENATOR STONE

WASHINGTON. Feb. 25.-The text Of the letter of President Woodrow Wilson to Senator William J. Stone. of Missouri. chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee. which is the subject of bitter dissention in Congress today. is as follows:
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
RIVERS AND HARRoRs
 BILL NOW REPORTED
 FAvoRAsLY TO HOUSE

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The an nual rivers and harbors appropriation b.n which carries sS9,Ooo.oOO was fa- vorabiy reported to the House today This bill carries several amounts for work in Alaska.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
BrltIsh Driven Back.

coNsTANTINOPLE. Feb. 25. The British forces in Mesopotamia made an attempt on the Turkish position al FelIehie below Kut-el-Amara and were driven back with considerable losses. This is the report made this after noon.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

t LONDON. Feb. 25.-It is re- d. ported this afternoon that 4 Germany's reply to the state * ment that the United States a has refused to accept the arm 1, cd merchantman decree. is s now enroute to Washington % According to these advices s Germany has asked the United ~ States to define her @dofen- 4 sive armaments." This report @ is received here from Amster- + dam.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
STOCK QUOTATIONS.

NEW YORK. Feb. 25.-Alaska Gold closed today at e25l. Butte and Super for at 9OA. Chino at 571s, Ray at 25Ss, and Utah Copper at S6.
 Copper metal closed at 2Slk.
 Yesterday's Quotations.
 Alaska Gold closed at 22H. Butte and Superior at sS%. Chino at SITS, Ray at 20 and Utah Copper at sf1s. Copper metal closed at 2sis
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
HIe lNrEREsTs MovE
A

NEW YORK. Feb. 25.-The Ameri- can declares that the big interests will demand that Hughes stick to the bench if Brandeis becomes an asso- ciae justice because he is antithesls of Brandeis,
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
WOMEN BEING EMPLOYED
 sY THE SCOTLAND YARD

LONDON, Feb. 25.-For the first time in history women are being em- ployed by tho Scotland Yard to take the place Of policemen who have en- listed. About score of women are now employed.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
ELEVEN TONG OF BIsLEs GENT TO THE PRISONERS
 OF WAR iN RUSSIA

NEW YORK. Feb. 25.-The British and Foreign Bible Society has sent 2s0,O0O Bibles, weighing il tons, to prisoners of war in Russia; they are print5a In German. Hungarian, Polish and Bohemian.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

WASHINGTON. Feb. 25-The great est tension that has prevailed in Washington in many months exists today as the result of the differences between President Wilson and mem- bers of Congress over the stand the President has taken regarding the proposed submarine warfare of Ger many and legislation proposed by members of Congress.
 This morning for two hours ses- sion was held with the President at which both Speaker Champ Clark and Majority Leader Claude Kitchen. of the House. were present Chair man Flood. of the House foreign rela- tions committee. was also present At the conclusion of the meeting there was sal disagreement as to the na- tional decree. The upshot of the ses. sion however was that no action will be taken by Congress today. at least.
 The turmoil started yesterday when Senator Gore introduced g resolution warning Americans of armed bell.g- erent ships. This was summarily blocked by Senator Brandegee and un- der the rules Of the Senate the matter was laid over one day.
 Letter to Stone.
 Last night President Wilson sent an official letter to Senator William J. Stone. chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee. in which the would not budge from his plan of in- slstlng that Germany recognize every American right
 Late this afternoon further confer ences were held at the White House with the President The arguments Of the House members at the conference on the German situation failed how ever to swerve the President from his stand that the German armed mer- chantmen decree transgresses inter national law and that the Americans out not to be barred from such yes sells. The House leaders went away telling the President that although nothing was done today they would venture no predictions for the future and admitted that the situation was most serious. They stated that they could not tell him how far the senti- ment in Congress would be swayed by the publication Of the Stone letter.
 President ls Firm.
 President Wilson replied to the leaders: CT feel as if the United States must stand for the rights of the Americans to the freedom of the seas and hope that will be able to con- duct negotiations with Germany In such way that any war will be avoided"
 The House leaders expressed the hope that the United States would not be forced to go to war over the armed ship issue and they left the White House saying they believed the situa- tion was serious
 It is understood that the President showed very deep feelings.
 Clark Makes Statement.
 Late this afternoon Speaker Clark made the following statement:
 'I think that the chances are that Germany will postpone the threatened performance until after April 1st, or
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
French Loslno Ground.

LONDON. Feb. 25.-Early tonight the French admit that further with dawals have been made on the Yer dun front The furious onslaught of the Germans has driven the French back with the loss of Brabantsur. Muese. samagneux and ornes.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
GOVERNMENT AWAITS WORD
 FROM RUSSIA ON FRANCIS

WASHINGTON. Feb. 25-As soon as Russia intimates that the appoint. .uieut of Daud R. Francis is agreeable as American ambassador, his name win be sent to the Senate This an nouncement is made today.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

LONDON, Feb. 25-continuing their tremendous drive against verdun in one of the greatest battles of the war, the Germans have penetrated to with in rife shot of tho outer forts of the great French fortress and are within five milea from tho French stronghold itself Fighting north of verdun is diminishing in violence according to reports. The French war office has advised tho Admiralty Of Great Brit ain that the French have fallen back to the rear of Beaumont
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
BOMB ExPLopEs IN
 NEsRAsKA CAPITOL

LINCOLN Neb.. Feb. 25.-A four foot bomb enclosed in steel casing exploded in the furnace used for burning waste in the State capitol building last night. It was learned today that the damage was slight
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
ELETcHER coNElRMED.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 25. = Henry Prather Fletcher was this afternoon confirmed as ambassador to Mexico. This ends the fight which has been on for several weeks.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
MILLIONS ESTIMATED
 WAR DAMAGE, PRUSSIA

COPENHAGEN, Feb. 25.--sS75.OoO,- 900 is estimated the war damage to East Prussia 100000 residences were footed and 100000 persons driven from their homos.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

< BERLIN. Feb. 25. - If the q Republicans of the United @ States attack President VII 4 sons submarine policy and at
 s tempts to make @ political cam + paign Issue or the case, Am s bassador Gerard may stump 4 tho United States in support of @ the executive This was broad % ly hinted at today Ambassa- + dor Gerard plans to visit Am + erica before the June eonven- * ton and if he finds President 4 Wilson under fire for his deal
 s ing with Germany. he may ex- + plain to the country at large q few things about the submar. + inc controversy which the Am q erican people do not know.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
Steamer Movements
 and Mail Information
NolU North Bound.

 The Spokane left wrangell al noon today and is due at Juneau at four O. clock tomorrow morning.
 South Bound saIIIngS. The Alameda is scheduled to arrive southboand at midnight tonight. Tie Admiral Farragut arrived from the west this afternoon. The Al-Ki sailed south this morning at o'clock.
 Scheduled eolIlngo. The Admiral Watson iS scheduled to sail from Seattle torl.tInt Tao Jefferson Is scheduled to sail frori Seattle Sunday night. The Alaska is scheduled to sail for the north on her first trip on regular schedule Tuesday night Give The Empire an opportunity to
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
SPAIN HAS PLACED ORDER WHICH HAS
 wAR-LlKE LOOK

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 25.-It is announced that the government
 Of Spain has placed on order
 . for $1,5OOOOO worth of cart . ridges with Q local concern 2 2 . ! z ! 2 2 2 . 2 2 , ,
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
q | 444'4 e4 So a.o . . . z
WE'LL. WHO ls hEl

. LONDON. Fob. 20. The 2 , Times naval correspondent ex- 2
 , presses the belief that tho TO- I
 cent increased activity of the 2 German fleet is due to the ap- 2 . pointmont of Q new commander q . In chief. whose name has not 2 , been divulged on dthe passing c , into service of certain new yes- 6
 , sels. and probably faster and 2
 . heavier torpedo craft q
 !. !. 2 A .t {. { !. . {. 1. ! ! . 2 ]. {.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

French Arc Confident. PARIS, Feb. 25.-The greatest of onfdence is expressed that the French
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
South Bound SaIlIngo.

Give The Empire an opportunity to cuc:e you prices on printing.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
HONOR
 IS NOW AT STAKE
GERMAN REPLYING.

. $ 49% A%se 2 . . c 2 . 2
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

! , ! ! ] , , 2 [ 2 ' ! 2 2 2 .
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
GERARD MAY COME.

< %44 . , . . %A@
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

.S ' < Z : < 7 2 ? z 2 2 2 . 2
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

, s4 4ee s1 2 2 , 2 2 !. :.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25
WEATHER REPORT

!. :. . . . | . . ! .
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-02-25

{ ( . ( q 2 z . 2 2 ess o'o . 2 2