The Washington herald., 1917-06-01
ANTI-DRAFT men
Caught in NET
Nationwide Roundup Of
Registration Foes Made by
Department Of Justice.

nationwide roundup Of ant-regis-
trstion asitators was begun by the De-
partment Of Justice yesterday.
Arrests were made in New York, Chi
easo. Columbus, Springfield. Mass, and
other c1ties, while on the Pacific Coast
the youthful scion Of wealthy family
was taken OF q steamship while trying
to escape into Mexico.
The government has declared war on
snti-registration speakers and plotters Of
all sorts, while every port has been
barred to the slackers who would seek
to avoid their duty by leaving the eoun-
Try.
Every man between the ages Of q
and 81 Is virtually a prisoner now. He
cannot leave the United States, no mat
ter how pressing the demand, until after
he registers No passports will be grant,
ed by the State Department except on
approval OF Provost Marshal General
Crowder. in charge OF the registration
Only by proving to Gen. Crowder that
his registration has been made can q
man within the prescribed age limit
obtain passport
Innammatory Speeches.
Yesterdays arrests were the result OF
infiammatory speeches against registra-
ton and the distribution OF literature ad-
vocating refusal to register.
The most important arrests were those
made at Columbus in the view Of De-
partment Of Justice officials. At Colum-
bus was located the central agency OF an
anti-registration propaganda extending
throughout Ohio. according to informa-
tiOn obtained here.
other arrests were made at Springfield.
Ohio. Marietta, and Toledo in wiz ng out
the State organization The possibility
that Columbus may have been the seat
Of nationwide propaganda Is being In
Nestigated, and the records seized at Co
lUmbus are expected to give officials in
formation on thiF point, as well as names
OF persons involved in the conspiracy. Ad-
ditional arrests are expected Immediately.
Secretary OF War Baker. following q
conference with Provost Marshal General
CrOwder yesterday. made It plain that
absence from the country does not re-
Heve man of the necessity Of register
ing.
Carries Obligations.
when an American citizen Is abroad
he carries with him the obligations as
well as the privileges OF an American
citizen" declared Mr.. Baker, an expert
lawyer.
Provost ,darshaI General Crowder last
night announced that Americans abroad
must register WlInln nVe Gays OF IneH
return 70 this country. No provisions
are yet made for registration through
co1sUls abroad. as has been. proposed.
Cen Crowder further ruled that Amer
leans who have been unable to register
because OF absence abroad must make
out an afidavit stating the cause Of their
absence when they return to the United
States.
Each person applying to the War De-
partment for authorization OF the
issuance Of a passport must bear In mind
that:
l. He must register, or make arrange
meuts to insure his registration on regis
tration day.
? He must satisfy the War Department
that he has so registered.
3. After registration he Is subject to
draft.
4. The burden Of informing himself.
while absent from the United States, as
to whether or not he has been drafted
rests wholly upon himself.
5. II drafted ne may be required to re-
turn to the United States at his own
expense to appear before an exemption
board or to be examined for military
service.
The Department Of Justice also has
launched a campaign against distribu-
tors OF literature advocating refusal 10
register.
The first public arrests in this connec-
tion were made in New York, where
three Columbia University students, one
a woman, were taken into custody.