The Washington times., 1914-08-27
FRIEND OF WILHELM
IS HERE ON MISSION

Count Adalbert Won Sierstorpff who
is friend of the Kaiser, and probably
the German sportsman who is best
known over Europe. has come over at
the instance of the German govern
ment to see what is being done in the
United States and what can be done
here to promote the work Of the Red
Cross in the great war. Count Won
Sierstorpff is accompanied by DR.. Dern-
burg. the former German minister of
states for the colonies, and they expect
to confer with Miss Mabel T Board
man and other American Red Cross Of
ficials in an effort to make the work OF
the society of the greatest efficiency in
all the countries affected bv the war.
Count Won SierstOrpff is the vice
president of the German Automobile
Club, the president OF the International
Automobile Association, and one of the
international committee for the Olym-
pic games. For many years no big
event in international sports has been
regarded as complete without his at
tendance, and he is we'll known in the
United States. His brother. Count Jo-
hannes Won Sierstorpff, married Miss
knowlton. of Brooklyn, and their two
sons are at the front with the German
army.
The object Of DR.. Dernourg and my
self in coming over here is an inter-
national one, as the Red Cross is inter-
national said Count Won Sierstorpfr.
We want OF see how something can be
done over here, not only for the Ger
mans wounded in the war, but for the
subjects of all nations involved. 1t is
our idea that if an international COM
mittee can be formed, with some promi-
nent American at the head of ii, there
could be no reason why all nations
should not enter into il in a friendly
spirit. We have made no plaza, as our
idea is to find out what the sentiment
is here. quietly. Perhaps some way OF
International cooperation will be found
later on.
The Red Cross in Germany is already
doing great work. From the first con-
tributions poured in, and volunteer
workers offered themselves. All our
wives and our daughters have Joined the
Red Cross. In Germany we feel that
this is war for our existence, one INTO
which we We're drawn by the Russians
and we are very sorry that We have to
fight the English and the French, with
whom we have had such good relations
and among whom we have had so
many warm personal friends. They
are Joined UP with country that has
not the right to interfere in civilization.
From the beginning of the war our
Red Cross has worked hard. Women
have formed associations all over the
country. and temporary hospitals with
from 50 to 1000 beds have been c0uipped
10 take care not only of the Germans
but of all the wounded. In these the
enemy have been treated the same way
as Germans. no distinction being mad
except, OF course, that when the
wounded enemy RECEIVERS. he becomes 4
DTlSDneT.
volunteered for service.
The German Emperor is at the head
OF our Red Cross. with the title Of pro-
teCtor. our president is Prince Solms
who is with the Emperor at headquar-
ters- vas captain in the army
twenty-five years ago. and as soon as
war came | volunteered my services
but they told me the best thing | could
do was TO come over here and see what
could be done in the way Of Red Cross
work. DR.. Dcrnburg and have a num-
ber Of special mesSa ges for the Red
Cross over here, and the Emperor is in
tereSted In our mission
Count Won SierstOrpff. Who came over
on the NOOrdam. said that w hen he
found that. owing TO tn" mobilization
then going on, IL would take about
eighty hours to get from Berlin tn Pot
tcrdam by train. he had made tho jour
ney by automobile in one DAY. and had
practically come without luggage
The first thing | had to do was 10
buy some ready made clothes" he said
The last time he was in New York was
in 1885.