The Nenana daily news. (Nenana, Alaska) 1918-1921, 1919-07-08
additional information in this mat

additional information in this mat
ter.
While in Washington in Deem
Der and January both Governor
Riggs and Mr.. Sulzer called several
times at the Office of the adjutant
general and of the provost marshal
general in the endeavor to secure
the release of Alaskan soldiers, and
through these efforts the release of
Alaskans at Camp Lewis and the
,casualts from the Alaska posts was
Iordered by the war department.
On January 10, the governor
wrote to Brighten. B. T. Simons,
Camp Dodge, asking him TO use
every effort to discharge Alaskan
soldiers, as they were needed in
industry in Alaska. On January Is,
the following reply was sent to the
governor:
Your letter of January 10, ad-
dressed to Brig.-Gen Simons, has
been referred to me for attention as
coordination officer, in charge of de-
mobilization.
LAS you probably know, only such
organizations can be demobilized as
are directed by the war department
to be demobilized In addition to
this, camp commanders are author
lied to discharge men who have
sickness or distress in their family,
or to resume employment in an in
dustry or occupation urgently in
need of their services. Men of this
last mentioned class can only be
discharged upon their individual ap-
plication and where their services
can be spared.
This camp has already discharged
number of men from Alaska, un-
der this authority, and you may be
assured that any applications in the
future will receive the most careful
consideration, and that the circular
authorizing such discharges will be
most literally interpreted in their
favor"
On February 25, the following
wire was sent to the commanding
general of the Western department:
Many men serving at Fort Glib
bon and other posts badly needed in
spring mining and other industry.
In response to my inquiry regarding
possibility of release, commanding
officer Fort Gibbon wires, 4 have
no idea when men serving here will
be released, all depends on action
Of war department. Urge you ex-
pedite discharge of soldiers, other
wise the interior country will suf-
fer o. positions now open will have
to be filed by imported labor, max
ing very bad situation in Alaska,
where conditions are different from
anywhere in United States. If men
are not discharged until late in
season they will not have oppor-
tunlty to make winter grubstake
and will be broke and charge on
community until a year hence. An
swer'
who, on February 26, replied as fol-
lows:
I Following order mailed Jan. Is
to commandants all military posts
In Alaska: Effect discharge under
current general instructions all
drafted men now in military or
CARNATIONS in Alaska who are eligi-
bic for discharge under provisions
circulars II and 186-WD, 1918, and
circular 6-WD, 1919, provided their
services can be spared and travel
from present station practicable. ;
Letter should reach commanding Of
fcer Fort Gibbon by March 1st."
That the efforts of the governor
were not wholly unappreciated is
shown by the following telegram:
Fort Liscum, March 10.
Governor Riggs, Juneau:
"Alaskans at this post very CRATE
full for what you have done and
what you may do in future.
tSigaed) Members Co. B. 18Th