The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-01
CARNEGIE HERO FUND
 GIVEN ID GERMANY
Steel Magnate Presents a Mil
 lion and a Quarter
THANKS FROM KAISER
German Emperor Expresses Gratitude at Generous Gift of American to Hero Fund for Ger
 man People

Berlin, December 31.-Announcement was made today that Andrew Carnegie had given st. .250.000 for a Carnegie foun- dation for life-savers" in Germany.
 The conditions and purpose of the en- dowment are similar to those of the hero funds" previously established by the American fnancier and philanthropist in the United States, England and France. The annual proceeds will be used for the benefit of those who have been injured in the execution of heroic acts, and In the event of heros death for the support l If surviving dependents. A special pro- 1 vision is made for the education of the children of those who have sacrificed l tEeir lives.
 Sometime ago American Ambassador Hill, at the request of MT. Carnegie. ap- preached the Emperor on the subject if whether such gift would be acceptable
 His majesty thoroughly approved of the project and in an autograph letter to the doner expressed his deep interest in the | benefaction.
 The necessary details were soon con- cluded and the fund in the hands of the Emperor who. as it's patron appointed a commission of P to administer the same.
 The president of the commission is Rudolf Non Nalentini, chief of his maj esty's civil cabinet and his associates in- clude the American ambassador and rep resentatives of the mining, railway mar l,,. .;,.l. af medical profession.
 The benefits of the fund will begin with the new year.
 Germany now has provisions for the lief of civil servants who have suffered through heroism, and MT. Carnegies gift will make it possible to round out gem eral system of benefaction. It Is believed the press will welcome heartily the foun- dation, which was first known by Herr Von Valentine this afternoon
 Carnegie Is Gratifed
 New York, December 31-Andrew Car nege expressed great qualification on learning that his gift of a hero fund had been formally announced in Berlin today.
 'It is almost gratifying" he said, "and feel that it is a good work to reward the heroes of civilization who have saved or served their fellows,
 T consider this in harmony with my work for abolition of war Peace has its heroes much more renowned than those of war. Industrialism is producing heroes in every country. There is no accident where volunteers are called fo. ti, ceed that required.
 'It Is of good omen that the hero fund begins in Germany on New Years day"
 Letter to the Emperor
 Mr. Carnegie's letter to Emperor Will liam offering to establish the fund is as follows:
 September 22, 1910.
 Your Majesty-I am greatly pleased to hear that your rcmajcsty cordially ap proves of the hero fund. Its success over the North American continent rem dered mo anxious to extend it's benefits to Germany the root of the Teutonic race. from which we, of the English speaking branches, have sprung. I de- sired this the more because, during the present long reign Germany has kept the peace under our guidance. Your hands are guiltless of shedding human blood, an example which cannot but impress and influence the rulers of other lands in the direction of blessed internal peace.
 The unpa yable debt our republic owes to Germany furnished another raa Tho ysfill sba nearly, if not quite, 30O00,O00 of Ger mans and their descendants as pres ent or future citizens of the republic one of the most valuable of all its as- sets.
 We live in a heroic age. Industrial Ism develops the heroes of peace. Scarcely a day passes without acts of heroism being reported to one of the hero funds established Especially in mine accidents, the volunteers for res cue work who risk their lives by de- scending the pit invariably exceed the number required Such are the heroes of civilizat tion.
 "I have long felt that such true he roes and those dependent upon them should be freed from pecuniary cares resulting from their heroism and as a found for this purpose, and one and one quarter million dollars in per cent first mortgage bonds, yielding ap- proXimately 250,000 marks per annum, will be sent to the commission desig- mated to administer this fund.
 T enclose a statement giving gen eral directions for the operation of the fund, similar to that given to Amer ica, France and Great Britain.
 Wishing your majesty a long and peaceful reign. laden with blessings for your country, I remain, yours sincerely
 ANDREW CARNEGIE" To His Majesty, the German Emperor,
 Berlin.
 Reply of the Emperor
 Following is translation of the Elm peror's reply:
 'In your letter of the 22d of September last you communicated to me your mag unanimous decision to establish for Ger many fund of $1,250.O00 for the amelior- ating of distress caused within the Ger man empire and its waters by death or dsa blement of heroes in attempting to save human life. This further proof of your world renowned philanthropy and magnanimity has given me very great pleasure and I consider your aim in this case to be particularly well chosen Your fund will encourage the decision of noble persons to acts of rescue by banshing the fear for the future of their survivors. I desire to express to you also in the name