The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-08-07
WILL ENLIST
FRIENDLY ALIENS
To Accept Those Who Waive
Exemption on Nationality.
THEY AID THE CAUSE
Provision Has Been Made TO Protect
Harvesting From Shortage of Hands
Because Of Draft.

Provision Has Been Made TO Protect
Harvesting From Shortage of Hands
Because OF Draft
Washington. Aug. THE ranks OF
the new national army We're opened
formally TO friendly aliens as yolnn-
teerS.
ruling by Provost Marshal General
Crowder communicated to the local
selection boards directs that all such
aliens who waive their rights of eX
empton on nationality be promptly ac
cepted for service.z
General Crowder sent this telegram
10 the governors:
Reports reaching this office recent
ly indicate that in some quarters the
belief prevails that friendly aliens,
who have not declared their intention
to become citizens. but are ready and
willing to serve. are disqualified from
entering the military service of the
United States. and therefore that they
must take out first papers before they
can be accepted. It is to be regretted
that such a misunderstanding should
have arisen The qualifications for
voluntary enlistment In time of wal
are no more restricted for service In
the new national army than for the
regular army. Such alien non-declar
ants are virtually volunteers.
THE selective service act provided
for their registration: but it did not
regard them as under any liability tC
serve. and it therefore gave them full
liberty to claim exemption when called
by local boards. Now that information
reveals their willingness In large mum.
bers 10 decline this exemption and tc
accept service in this war against the
common enemy Of our civilization, II
should be fully understood that their
service is heartily Welcomed and they
should be accepted whenever upon
summons they fai! to claim their right
Of exemption.
"They are assisting the cause OF
their own country by aiding the Unit
ed States to triumph in this war. The
more of them that enter the service
the better. for in this way will be re.
moved the cause of dissatisfaction
heard in some quarters that. although
the quota was based on total popula
ton, including aliens. the actual draft
reached only citizens and declarants
Local boards are directed to facili.
tate in every way the acceptance OF
friendly ALLEN n-declarants for mill.
tary service and thus TO enable them
to do their share to assist the country
which has given them refuge and an
honorable living"
Provision to protect harvesting from
shortage of hands due to the mobiliza.
ton Of the national army has been
made by the government in regulations
now going out to the district exemp.
tion boards.
Men needed in the fields TO complete
harvesting will be permitted to remain
at work until the need for them passes,
-wnen rrTey will join the colors. Local
boards, because of their knowledge
of local conditions, will determine
what men are necessary in this class
Application for delay on this ground
NAV be submitted TO the district
boards. The papers of harvest hands
will be returned by the district board
to the local board where selection will
be made The local boards are author,
lied to arrange their quotas in Ave
divisions or increments. which will be
ordered out for service in order. Har
vest hands who are needed will be
placed in the division which will not
be called until after the need for them
in the eldS has passed.