The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-02
MANNING TO ORDER.
How some Men i'm France and Ger
many Avoid Conscription.

London Express.
When some months ago the question OF
CONSUMPTION was widely discussed I'm this
country people seemed 10 take IL for grant
ed that were il once adopted we would
settle down TO IL as they do on the conti-
nent.
Now, anybody who has taken the trouble
to study the subject will inform you that(
on the continent they have never quite
settled down 10 it,"
Indeed. the extent 10 which some youn
men are prepared 10 go in order 10 avoid
compulsory military service is amazing
Many will actually MAIN themselves. for
physical deformity is about the only cause
which enables man TO be exempt
In France and Germany. for instance.
great sensations have been caused from
time 10 time by the discovery that gangs OF
professional manners have been working
whole districts The INSCRIPTIONS adven-
turers undertake TO temporarily MAIN
young men in such a way that they will
be rejected by the military authorities
when their turn comes TO be examined for
service.
The French police have lately been in hot
pursuit of one of these gangs. Their plan
was simple, yet very sclever.
There must have been several members
in the band, as bulky package OF their
letters which has just been found shows
that they have for months been operating
throughout the Department of Lot-et-Cia-
rome as well as in the district Moissac.
On arriving in a town the members OF
the band copied from the official lists the
names OF those who would be required to
do military service when the next call was
issued, and then they ascertained how
become soldiers for a time and how many
would much sooner remain at home.
They lost no time in calling on the sons OF
well-to-do parents who were anxious to
escape military service.
IF you can only prove that you have
some grave bodily infirmity." they said To
each OF these young men. you will never
be required TO serve IL YOU are willing To
pay US 1000 francs We will furnish you a
bodily infirmity which will not do you In
jury and yet will prove a barrier against
your becoming soldier
As soon as young man accepted this
offer, two OF the swindlers proceeded to
manufacture a bodily inhrmity by twisting
and squeezing his toes and fingers, the re-
suit being that after a few days manipu-
lation they became deformed and the young
man could congratulate himself that IN
view of such a grave ply steal defect no
medical examiner would accept him for
service.
to gradually recover" and the victims act
ually believed they would.
Many young Frenchmen have been oper-
ated on i'm this fashion. and for this SER
vice the majority OF them have paid 1000
AS a rule, the band insisted on getting
their fee in advance. but sometimes they
had 10 be satisfied with promssory notes,
and IL is because they demanded payment
of OF these that their work has be-
come known.
The note in question was given by a
young man and was readily accepted be-
cause the rogues knew that his mother
was wealthy.
They did not know. however. that she
was a woman whom no amount OF money
could induce 10 countenance fraud. But
they soon learned IL. for when they pre-
scented the note she not only refused to
pay IT, but forwarded IL 10 the nearest po-
lice magistrate.
AS result some OF the minor conspira-
tors have been arrested. and hundreds OF
letters found I'm their possession have been
sent to the Paris authorities.