FBI Records and First World War

Insight into the documents of the American secret service that keep a close track of Pupin’s activity in the beginning of the First World War, newspaper articles with Pupin’s positions on the situation, manifestos targeted at our emigration, humanitarian and initiatives involving our volunteers.  Most of these documents have so far never been published.

Pupin to Pašić/ 9 April 1913

As President of the Associations of United Serbs Sloga, President of the Serbian Cultural and Welfare Fund and National Committee, I have appealed on all Serbs and Slavs in America, to extend their material aid to fighters against the Turks.  I have fought for this cause in Serbian papers, Slavic media, at gatherings and lectures and, with the help of well-known Serbs across the colonies, the result was very good… According to my accounts, Serbs and other Slavs in America have sent close to $ 80,000 to Belgrade and Cetinje.  These contributions are mostly from not well-off Serbian emigrants, who, having themselves wanted to join the war to free the Serbs from the Turks, but their circumstances prevented them from turning their wishes into reality, answered my call and extended their donations to the Serbian Red Cross…  The credits for its successful operation go to Serbs, Serb women and Slavs, who helped me in this endeavour with the greatest sincerity…

American Srbobran, New York, March 1913

But do not forget, my own brother, that in the recently liberated Serbian lands the poor of Serbia dwell… The National Defence we have in Belgrade is beyond compare in the whole wide world. It is able and willing to extend a powerful hand to our exhausted brethren in the recently liberated lands, and the powerful hand of the National Defence is our hand, the hand of the Serbian People. And Serbian People - this is you, my own brother… When you feast gaily at your Serbian Slava celebrations, do not forget to set aside from your plate and send via National Defence a Vidovdan[1] gift to your poor brethren in the new kingdom of Serbia.  Do that, my brother, and show everyone you are a chelkik [2]Serb, and God will reward you many times.  And is there a greater and nicer reward than the gratitude of your poor brethren…