Iditarod pioneer., 1915-01-02
THE RED CROSS

The following belated letter was received ln yesterday mail. It will be remembered that 1t was upon a telegraphlc request from Mir. Pauli that the movement was lnaugu rated for Red Cross fund in lditarod which resulted in sending direct to the officers of the American Red Cross neat subscription from ldltarod:
 Fairbanks, Alaska, Dec. 20, 1914. Editor lditarod Pioneer.
 Dear Sir: On September ,, 1914, the American Red Cross Society called for one million dollars, supplemented later by fur ther efforts to raise additional funds, to be used in caring for the sick and wounded of all the nations now at war in Europe, without distinction as to nationality.
 Following this. during the past two months German sympathizers in Alaska in sttuted movement for the collection of funds for the German Red Cross, which German Red Cross works under and IS an integral part of the German army, brook ing no interference from outside sources, and in every essential distinct from the vol untary Red Cross organizations existing ln most of the civilized countries of the world, Subscription lists in connection with this purely German movement have been cir culated throughout the territory, purport- ing 1t is said to be in behalf of the Inter national Red Cross Society. which SO-called organization has no existence in fact.
 Under these circumstances there Is no doubt but that many Alaskans are sub scribing funds to the German Red Cross under a total miSapprehenson as to the purposes for which their subscriptions will be devoted. and under the belief that such funds will be expended in the care of the sick and wounded of all the warning na- tons, irrespective of nationality. From the facts stated. relative to the independent military organization of the German Red Cross. such general assistance can only be true of funds subscribed directly to neu- tral organization which Is personifed by the American Red Cross Society, whose ef- forts. as mentioned above are not con- fined to any particular nation, but are lii rected indiscriminately in behalf of the sick and wounded of all the warning countries
 For the purpose of insuring that the American Red Cross Society shall receive due support from this section of Alaska a committee for the raising of funds was appointed some weeks ago, headed by the mayor of Fairbanks as chairman, and i'm mediately proceeded to work along the fol lowlng lines
 "On November z 1914. a grand Mardi Gras benefit dance was held in Fairbanks after being widely advertised, and proved an unparalleled success as the means of raising an immediately available and sub stantial contribution to the fund; the ad of the churches. fraternal and other organ izations in and around Fairbanks was en- listed to help in the work and subscription lists, with Red Cross poster cards to at tract attention thereto were posted around town and on the various creeks
 Tt is respectfully suggested thta you give publicity through the columns of your paper to the needs and objects of the American Red Cross Society, when the people of your vicinity will undoubtedly make organized efforts to render all possible assistance
 Yours very truly,
 ALBERT J. PAUL., Secretary"