Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-29
EUROPEAN PEACE
LOVERS DERIDED
conscientious Directors" Are Targets
of Much Abuse-Letters Tell of
Ill Treatment

Correspondence Of The
Associated Press 1.-The heated feel
ings kindled by war prevent the Con
scientious Director" to military seTv-
ice from being as heroic a figure in
the perspective of the present times
as he may be in some more idealistic
having compulsory military service
age. Great Britain is the only nation
which excuses those whose con-
sciences forbid them to take human
life. Notwithstanding the parliament
airy act which recognizes either the
injustice, or the impolicy, of forcing
such men to bear arms, the Con
scientiOus Directors" are objects of
general derision and suspicion.
The terms of the military service
act on this point are general and
rather vague. 1t grants exemption
''on the ground of a conscientious OBJ
lection to the undertaking of combat
ant service" This leaves the decision
of what constitutes conscientious OBJ
lection" prin .E1lly in the hands of
the tribunals 10 which men who wish
to escape military service must apply.
Naturally the decisions OF different
boards have been cOlored largely by
the personal views and prejudices of
their members. Some of these courts
have been very liberal in accepting
protestations of scruples against fight
ing, while others subject applicants to
severe cross examination, or ridicule,
and exempt very few
Members Of the Society of Friends,
better known as Quakers, and of a re
ligious body called Christadelphians,
generally have been excused from the
army. But others who cannot prove
that they belong TO any religious sect
which is opposed to war, whose claims
are based merely on their personal
scruples, have harder time. In the
popular belief the claim of conscien-
tiOus objection is the chief lOophole
for towards and shirkers, and this
causes the ignominy in which object
ors are held.
Many conscientious DIRECTORS have
disregarded entirely the summons to
the army. Then when brought before
the recruiting tribunals they have
been turned over to the military
courts, where they have been dealt
with practically as deserters Many
have been sentenced TO prison, several
to terms at hard labor Of two years,
and others to lesser terms ranging
down to two months Of mere deten-
ton, the mildest form of imprison-
ment. The number of DIRECTORS taken
,
first of May was 1863. OF these 1853
had been court martialed, and 10 re-
leased. The others were waiting their
trials The statue of these men has
been the subject of much discussion
in parliament and in the newspapers,
and charges of cruel treatment have
been made freely by their friends
These charges were made regarding
men who had claimed TO be conscient-
ious DIRECTORS, and whose claims were
vetoed by the tribunals
As a result of the agitation, the gov
eminent has decided that men under
going punishment for disobedience on
account of alleged conscientious
scruples shall be transferred to civil
prisons and have their cases reviewed
by a judicial committee which will
have power to exempt them from mill
tary duty, or give them some other
work Of national Importance.
In the course of "A discussion in the
house of commons Mr.. RoWntree, a
Quaker member from York, said that
most Of the complaints Of persecution