Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-23
RELIGIOUS CLASH
IN The US, Navy
Christian Scientist Is Sentenc-
ed for Refusing to Be
Vaccinated.
GETS TERM IN BARRACKS
United States Senator Works Has an
Inquiry Into the Case
Started.
GETS TERM IN BARRACKS

washington, D. c., July 23.-United
States Senator John D. Works of Cal
ifornia has taken up the case of JOS
eph ]. Kapsa, former gunner's mate
on the Delaware, VINO is serving a
courtmartial sentence Of one year at
hard labor in the disciplinary barracks
at Port Royal, S. C.
Kapsa was courtmartialed for refus-
ing to be vaccinated as a protection
against typhoid fever. AS his reason
for refusing to obey the commanders
orders he explained that he was a
Christian Scientist and that his relig-
ion taught him that such a surgical in
duction Of virus was wrong. He con-
tended he did not need the treatment
and refused to submit to it
Kapsa was courtmartialed in the
New York navy yard on May 20 last.
One plea in his defense was:
This is not a legal order, in that
1t violates the constitutional rights Of
the defendant, because it restricts the
practice of his religion, which Is that
of Christian Scientist"
REFUSES TO ARGUE RELIGION.
What would you do if you had ty-
phoid fever?" Lieutenant Racicot ask
ed.
"I would heal 1t by Christian Sci
ence." said Kapsa.
Can you tell this court what gave
you the belief that if you cut off a
fno NP 70 medical =
ment you must have some other form
of treatment, and that If some other
| form of treatment, and that II you did
mt have it your soul would suffer-"
insisted the lieutenant
| Il do not wish to argue my relig
ious beliefs with you," protested the
prisoner
How is your soul affected If you
have a silver in, your thumb?" de
manded the lieutenant.
81 can't answer that question" ad
mitted the prisoner after the objec
tions had been overruled.
| Kapsa was reduced to the rank OF
, seaman without pay. At the end OF
his year at hard labor, II the court
martial sentence is carried out, he
will be dishonorably discharged.
APPEAL TO SECRETARY MEYER.
Senator Works, who is a Christian
Scientist, wrote to George Won l.
Meyer secretary of the navy concern
ing Kapsa's case:
THE question whether the naval de
partment can violate the conscientious
religious convictions of it's enlisted
men by any such order as was made
in this instance soon may have to bt
tested. think this man acted unwise
ly If his scruples prevented hin
from accepting the treatment ht
should have accepted that he woulC
be discharged from the service.
81 submit to you. with all due re
spect, whether some conclusion shoulC
not be reached by which cases of thi
kind could be disposed of and Chris
tian Scientists who prefer that cours
be permitted to accept an undesirable
: discharge-which is certainly bat
enough and unjust enough-rathe
, than undergo Imprisonment where tn
, refusal is not willful, but grounded Of
, their conscientious convictions.
. 81 should prefer Christian Scientist
! denied the right to participate in tn
public service because of their relie
ious convictions-the injustice o
/ which must be apparent to any one
= rather than have them punished a
l this man was punished, which mus
/ arouse the strongest indignation an
2 protest not only from Christian Scier
. lists but from all just minded people