Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-27
INFORMATION FILED
. WITH OFFICIALS OF
THE u. S. ARMY TODAY
Drilling of Men Without
Federal or State Author
ity Alleged.
THREATS AGAINST
NATIONAL GUARDS
Ru,nor Says Many Have
Been Inti1ni nidated-Inves-
tigation to be Made.

Bismarck, N. D., March 27.-ln.
formation as to alleged anti-recruit-
ing riots. drilling Of troops not organ
lied under state or national authori-
ported to have been made by vari-
Gus citizens of foreign birth or de-
scent residing in the southwestern
part Of the state. was filed with States
Attorney F. E. McCurdy today by To-
cal representatives of the United
States army. Similar advice probably
will 60 during the day to United
jdreth at Fargo. Careful investiga-
ton which has been made of these
rumors would indicate that the situa-
ton possibly is not nearly so serious
as It would appear at first glance.
Fresh recruits for coast artillery, ar
irving here to report to the local re-
cruiting station. told Of threats which
had been made against them by
neighbors in the northwestern part
Of the state. when 1t became known
they intended to enlist.
Threats Of Violence.
"I'll shoot you before you ever get
army q neighbor boy said to one of
tho recruits. the latter claims. but
he admits no effort was made to car
~ out the threats. Rather indefinite
charges as to threats having been
made against members of the Nation
nj Guard. with q view to preventing
them from reporting for service. were
not subytantiated by positive proof.
A number Of names Of persons alleg-
cd to have been guilty Of making
threats and seditoous statements have
been fled with the military authori-
ties, and referred by them to the de-
partment Of Justice. and q thorough
Investigation now is under way.
Many Intimidated.
by speech is the direct
charge against these people," aaid \
federal omcsr this morning. "Reopls
- -izs.ssss .ss tina .neighp9rhood Il seems,
Through Fears for tl4efr OWn aa1c4 hav6
kept ,Qaiat end have allowed 2 condt7
ton to deveiop which ~ .ost dh-
healthy. Young men enltstins for
service in the United States army and
the national guard have been threat
ened with physical violence and even
death. Numerous men have been
heard to say that II war were declar-
ed they would do all in their power
to aid our enemy. Troops have been
drilling Independently of any state
and national authority, and the sttua.
ton, to say the least, merits prompt
and careful investigation"
Governor Frazier's mail this morn
ing contained complaints from two
widely separated sections Of the state
Of sedition and intimidation. There
was nothing very definite in charges
from either point, but governors in
formants attempted to convey Inn
PRECISION that much more might be
said but for fear Of discovery. The
writers signed their names. and seem
ed verey positive in their belief that
something should be done.
Drilling in the southwestern part
Of the state is reported by recruits
reaching Bismarck today to have been
practiced by church societies, large
IL composed Of foreign born citizens
or their descendants, for several years
past. A motley collection Of arms.
principally confined to shot guns orig
inally purchased for service on Jack
rabbits, is said to be used.
These troops" it is said. have
been drilled in military evolution and
, target practice, and have become
quite efflcient amateur soldiers.
Major Dana Wright arrived from
jamestown at noon today to assume
command of the second battalion. No
further orders regarding mobilization
have been received.