The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1917-08-11
SAYS ALIENS
WELCOMED
IN ARMY
GENERAL CROWDER INSTRUCTS
BOARDS TO ACCEPT NON
DECLARANTS

This morning Sheriff ingalls, re-
ceived a telegram from Attorney
General Maurice Sullivan that
throws a new light on the alien
question as ~effecting the draft. The
telegram is of particular interest in
Nevada mining towns, in some of
which the proportion of alien popu-
lation is high and all of which con-
tain a good proportion of aliens who
have never taken out first papers
for citizenship.
Heretofore the belief has been
general that such men u be
exempted by local boards and would
not be allowed in the new national
army, even If willing to enter un-
der the draft. This belief has been
fostered by the fact that in every
case where an alien was sent into
the regular army by a recruiting
officer, the officer first demanded
that he take out first papers.
The telegram from the attorney
general states that while such men
have a right to claim exemption be-
cause of being aliens, when they
fail to do so they may be accepted
under the draft law
A number of aliens have already
filed exemption claims with the
local board and the opportunity is
O open to them to withdraw the
claims and, as Provost Marshall
General Crowder is quoted as say
ing in the telegram, decline this
exemption and accept service In this
war against the common enemy OF
our civilization" II do their
share to assist the country which
has given them a refuge and an
honorable living"
Following is the telegram receiv-
ed by Adjutant-Genera Sullivan
from the provost marshal-general:
In reference to voluntary
service of aliens. Please call
attention of all local boards
Immediately by wire to the fol-
lowing ruling:
Reports reaching this office
recently indicate that in some
quarters the belief prevails
tnaJ ITlonuly dlltHS WIN udNt
not declared their intention to
become citizens, but are ready
and willing to serve are dis
qualified from entering the
military service of the United
States and therefore that they
must take out first papers be-
fore they can be accepted.
1t is to be regretted that
such a misunderstanding
should have arisen. The quail
fications for voluntary enlist
ment in time of war are no
more restricted for service in
the new national army than for
the regular army. Such alien
nOn-declarants are virtually
volunteers. The selective ser
vice act provided for their
registration, but it did not re-
gard them as being under any
liability to serve and it there
fore gave them full liberty TO
claim exemption when called
by local boards.
Now that information re-
veals their willingness in large
numbers to decline this exemp-
ton and to accept service in
this war against the common
enemy of our civilization, it
should be fully understood that
their service is heartily well
coined and they should be ac-
cepted whenever upon sum-
mons they fail to claim their
right of exemption. They are
assisting the cause of their W
country by aiding the United
States to triumph in this war.
The more of them hat enter
the service the better, for in
this way will be removed the
cause of dissatisfaction heard
the quota was based on total
population, including aliens.
the actual draft reached only
citizens and declarants. Local
boards are directed to facilitat,
in every way the acceptance
of friendly alien non-declar-
ants for military service and
thus enable them to do their
share to assist the country
which has given them a refuge
and an honorable living. Please
advise other members of your
board and give to the press.