New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-29
Want Only High Mind
ed Chaps, Say Or
ganized "Exiles"
ARE FIGHTING
FOR A PRINCIPLE"
Association Is Formed at
J. Sergeant Grams
Town House

Fifty pairs OF feet drummed or the
bare steps OF the town house or D.
Sergeant Cram, at 3 East Thirty-eighth
Street. last night-hfty pairs Of feet,
some Of which lately trod the soft murk
OF Flanders trenches, others The soft
carpets of Piccadilly clubs, and all, at
one time OF another, the rutty paving
stones Of London.
Arrived on the second hoor, the fifty
sets Of feet shuflcd uncertainty along
the dark hallway until they brought
their owners into the large room at the
front OF the house. There an open
hearth FIRE cracked merrily, casting
weird shadows on the walls.
Reminds one Of ONE" somebody re-
marked.
That broke the ice.
All Sit About Fireplace
All hands seized folding chairs, and
i'm moment the fifty we're arranged in
four neat semi-circular rows about the
fireplace. c. Percival Smith tapped
table with gsvel. and thus opened the
first meeting of the Benevolent Associ-
alton Of British Exiles.
Mr.. Smith, the organizer. says the
association regards Mrs Cram as its
patroness. The first act Of the body
was TO take steps toward relieving a
distressed brother. William Farrell,
who. but for miscs slculation. would
have been at last nights meeting in
stead OF in the brig Of the Adriatic
on his way back to England. where he
will be charged with evading military
service
Farrell started for America by way
OF the oversee Underground" He
shipped as coal trimmer on the
Adriatic, but was discovered, held q
prisoner, and efforts directed by fell
low refugees in New York failed to
save him by writ Of habeas corpus.
Mrs. Cram Pledges Aid
Mrs. Cram was interested. and At
with leaders Of the organ
ization movement she pledged herself
10 help Farrell. Learning that Far
rell. whose real name is kerhahn. was
born in Holland of a German father
and an Irish mother. and was Dutch
subject. she promised TO communicate
with the Dutch Ambassaor at Wash
ington and to nsk him 10 request his
to claim Farrell when the
Adriatic docks at Liverpool.
She also granted the "exiles" per
mission TO use her house for their
meeting and promised to drop around
and report progress in her efforts in
behalf OF Farrell. whom the British call
a plain "slscker." As Mrs. Cram didn't
appear last night, the other English
men who have put the ocean between
them and the war did not find out TO
what extent diplomatic circles had been
interested.
They proceeded. therefore, with the
enterprise of perfecting an organizs-
tion Of British subjects who have trav-
elled the underground route out o.
England 10 escape military service.
The purpose OF the organization is to
see that no more mistakes happen. as in
the case OF Farrell, and that the chosen
ones who leave Liverpool under the
guise Of coal trimmer, supercargo or
what-not, are safely landed in New
York.
Will Have Legal Bureau
A legal bureau will be cstabhshcd,
so that the law will not be too late. as
1t was in Farrell's case fund also
was raised TO aid such exiles who have
left their worldly goods behind. Smith
recited a touching story of comrade
who arrived only yesterday without a
farthing and in few minutes $50 was
raised for him.
The chief work of the organization,
he said. would be 10 cid financially the
men who landed without funds.
"We are open and above board with
our work" he said. "and as soon as
we are properly organized ohices will
be opened in charge Of paid secre-
tsry. Whenever a Briton presents
himself bearing sufficient evidence that
no has recently arrived from England
and needs money. we will help him
out ,..
No slackers or army deserters can get
in II We know it. A Stacker is man
ubo runs away purposely TO keep from
eghting. We amt slsckers. We have
our convictions. and it's them that
take us away from. home and friends.
It's principles.
Want Only High-Minded
"uers am. never did days
rorL in nv life, you might say.
u,e here and left a wife and two
habieS. and faced want myself. you
nigh: say, for = principle. Slackers
anf deserters have come over, ! know.
but we can't help that. It's the high
minded chaps We want. II IT WASH
for principle ! would fight. ] wouldn't
no Stacker in a war ! could CON
scientiously engage in"
"Then you would fight under condi-
tions?" he vas asked.
Certainly; I'd join the army IN