The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-02-10

same time." SALVATION ARMY TO THE RESCUE.
 When 1t comes to news of our own coun try, apparently we people of the Interior are not in it. We did not know that there were soldiers stationed at the Matanuska coal fields keeping watchful guard over the black diamonds and nuggets of heat. that no Ger man spies might burn them up some dark night. However, such seems to be the case, according to- despatches received yesterday, for the Salvation Army has issued call for volunteers to go to Alaska at the opening of navigation, and bring cheer and comfort to the hapless soldier boys forgotten by the folks at home, stationed at this most desolate, cheerlcss place, doing duty for Uncle Sam.
 Now we would not for minute cast any |disparagem upon the work of the Salvation Army, for the place they have taken iii the great war has endeared them to millions of soldier hearts, and has demonstrated that they are practical life savers as well as savers of souls And if there were such need for cheer and comfort at the Matanuska fields we do not doubt for an instant but that the Salva- ton Army workers would be right there with the goods. The thing that does arouse our doubts is the probability of there being such poor, forsaken doughboys in that particular region. We know there are plenty of for salen doughboys in some parts of the terri tory that need cheer and comfort, but they are not stationed at guard duty over the Matanuska coal fields nor do they need com fort from the Salvation Army. Therefore we very much doubt the foundation for the ap- peal sent out by the Salvation Army and think that, along with the rest of the Outside world, they are victims of their own ignor ance and lack of knowledge of the country.
 The call issued goes further to |ate that these soldiers stationed there were very anxi- ous to get in and fight for France but were sent to this place, and even tho disappointed
 in being left out of the big fight, the thing that hurts the most is that they have been for gotten by the folks at home. So the Salva- ton Army steps into the breach and will brave the perils of the north to bring cheer and comfort to these poor doughboys as they do duty for Uncle Sam in desolatc, frozen, Alaska We know that if there are boys there they would appreciate the pies and doughnuts made famous by the Salvation Army all thru the big fight but we very much doubt that they are there in the first place, and even if they arc, we see no reason why they should be so forsaken or so desolated. The Matanus- ka country is accessible, and is Comparatively mild. It has the railroad running into it, and should be cheerful compared with Fort Gib- bon, for instance.
 The Salvation Army means to come to the rescue of these poor. forlorn doughboys, at any rate. We only hope that some long headed individual connected with the enter prise will make sure of the facts of the case before they embark upon their journey, for when there is so much suffering and desola- tion in the world today, it would be too bad 10 have that much tilne effort and money wasted on wild goose chase to bring cheer and comfort to phantom guards of coal fields.
 If there is foundation for the report, we take it all back but if it is what it appears to be to us, good joke, we would point it out as a fine example of the colossal ignorance of Alaska that commonly exists among Out sidcrs.
 FAIRBANKS WILL. SURVIVE
 The serious fire that swept thru the busi- IL