Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-28
THE NElGHBORs WITHIN OUR GATES

The British Canadian recruiting mission, which has
stations in many Of the larger cities of the country, and
one Of whose representatives. Lieutenant Hart, of the
Canadian army, is now in the city, is trying to get in
touch with all British subjects, whether from Canada or
some other part Of the British empire, who would be liza
BILE for military service If they were in Canadian or other
British territory. No attempt is made to enlist Ameri-
cans. On the contrary, Americans will not be received
under any circumstances. But the intent is to locate
all who properly belong under the British flag, who have
not taken service in the forces of any of the allied ma
lions. and who are physically and otherwise qualified, IN
order that they may be given a clear understanding Of
the facts. and may be induced to perform voluntarily the
duty which, in any event, is certain to be forced upon
them before long.
In this work the Canadian authorities are receiving
the cordial cooperation of those Of the United States,
which is proper. And arrangements are now under way
for a reciprocal agreement between the two countries
under which citizens of either country who are attempt
ing to hold themselves immune from service while resi-
dent in the other, will be returned to their proper iur-
isdiction for such action as their own national authori-
ties may consider proper.
There are in the northwest not a few persons who,
at the present time, have reached a technical immunity
because of a peculiar set of conditions. Originally Amer
lean citizens, they went to western Canada for the pur-
pose of obtaining free land. With their entry papers
they filed their preparatory declarations, and they COM
pleted their British allegiance when making final proof
on their lands. This proof completed, they returned
to their original homes with the deeds to valuable lands
in their pockets. These persons. in intent, in asscca-
tons. in everything but technieaIities, are and expect to
remain Americans. But in law they are Canadians. I'm
der the American draft laws they can, and many of them
90 CldlHi eAeIlpiOH on II ground LQaL Cn6y allenS.
II they are permitted to evade service in this manner
a grave injustice is being done. They have been willing
to receive that which the Canadian government had to
give. But when that government needs men they are
missing. On the other hand, their technical citizenship
exempts them from service here. They are able, there
fore, to evade the service of the country which had given
them valuable property, and also the service of the coun-
try In which they actually intend to spend the remainder
of their lives.
Men must be had to fight the battles of this war.
French and British, Irish and Yankee, Canadian and men
from the great western plains, we are all engaged in the
same war, committed to the same cause. In the work
ing out Of the grand result it is specially important in
what army a man serves. 1t is important that, if prop
ery qualified for military service he serve somewhere.
And, as a matter of convenience. it is preferable that
he shall serve with the forces Of his own country. But
Ii, because Of lack of harmony in the service laws Of the
various countries, he slips through altogether, then some
other man must take the place that he should have filled
and do his fighting for him. That is not fair. 1t is not
right. And every loyal citizen on either side of the line
and especially every citizen who has been called on fol
service, or who has seen his son or his friends son sc
called, has an interest in aiding in the work of rounding
up all who should serve and are not doing so.