New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
SIackers Will Face Death Penalty
As Deserters, Says General Crowder
Men Who Fail Appear for Examination When Called For Will Be Hunted
and Subjected Court Martial Deters lime
of War-Onlv Pardon Can Save Them From Dire Punishment

volved of civil court or local juries.
Thirteen army officers will pass on the
cases Of the men when they are brought
to book. and the armed strength of the
nation is available to bring them to
book.
As to those who are aiding or abet-
ting the resisters the situation is diff
ferent. While the government will
make no effort to bring in men who do
not obey the summons of the local
selection boards or attempt to enforce
their attendance in any way until they
have passed into the military status,
il will use every energy 10 stamp out
disorders designed to prevent the ex-
ecution of the Federal laws. For this
purpose the President has legal power
to employ the army In any state with
out reference to the state authorities.
In practice. however. such a step would
not be taken until the Governors asked
for military forces to restore order.
They would be furnished promptly by
department commanders, without red
tape or delay.
General Crowder also took action TO-
dav TO reduce the number of spplica-
tions for exemption which news re-
ports indicate are being filed. In a
Telegram 10 all Governors he directed
that local boards be instructed 20
furnish TO newspapers hereafter, from
day 10 day, names OF all registered men
who apply for exemption, the grounds
asserted TO support such claim and the
action taken by the board. In case OF
discharge for physical Disqualification,
this does not apply. as these are not
cases where exemption is claimed, put
are the result Of rejection by board.
The specific reason for rejection will
not be published. General Crowder's
telegram follows:
"The names of all registered men are
on a list arranged in the order in
which they will be called for military
service. Wherever any registered per-
son imposes upon a local board and
improperly secures a certificate Of
exemption or discharge. he advances
the time Of call of all other uncalled
persons on the list.
For this reason every registered
person and, to some extent, every per-
son in the community is more or less
directly interested in seeing that the
true facts are brought to the atten-
ton of the government. For every
local board a person has been des-
ignated who will receive information
OF such cases and take appeals TO the
district board or inform the local
board.
For this reason, the public is en-
titled to know the grounds upon which
claim for exemption or discharge are
being asked by registered men.
"The local boards therefore sholld
be instructed Immediately 70 make
available TO the press from day to day
the names of persons claiming exemp-
ton or discharges, the ground on
which such claims are based, and in
general, the number of cases that are
being disposed of by the boards from
day to day. This instruction does not
apply, of course, to discharges on the
ground Of physical specialization"
Officials believe the effect OF this or
der will be TO curb applications for ex-
emption 10 a large extent
Far from regarding the progress OF
the selection process as slow, General
Crowder believes rapid strides are be-
ing made.