Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-03
The Draft and Alien Allies

! Washington authorities have found way for get
ting around a very troublesome feature OF the
draft law.
Registration day in this city developed very
large percentage Of alien orientas who are not
only willing but anxious to be included IN the
draft for active service.
Under previous interpretations OF the law, these
aliens of friendly nations and allies In the war
are barred from participating in the drawing. The
law bases the proportion Of the draft on the total
number of residents within the draft age, and then
provides that the men drawn shall be exclusively
from among citizens.
This nromised to create the curious condition In
Hawaii of making our proportion of citizen ellgi-
bles much higher than, for instance, IN southern
or New England state where the percentage OF
alien residents is small. 1t throws a burden on
the citizen out Of all proportion to his numbers and
at the same time bars the alien from satisfying
a worthy desire to bear his share in the fight
This disproporton did not escape attention when
the original bill went through Congress but it
failed of recognition in the final law.
Congressman Rogers of Massachusetts,, who is
well known in Honolulu, has introduced resolu-
ton to bring about an amendment of the law, and
the discussion of his measure occupied large part
of the session. of the house of representatives on
July H. Mr.. Rogers in summarizing the situation
that will be well understood in this Territory with
It's large friendly alien population, said:
Let assume without deciding, that 1t will not
be practicable at present. at least to utilize for mill
tary citizens countries other than those
with which the United States is making common cause
in the Can any good reason be adduced why the
citizens OF countries which are fighting Germany TO
day should not, II Of proper age and II otherwise
available be required to render military service some
Wheref Il perhaps does not make very muchh differ
ence so inherent justice goes, whether these
required to in the armed forces OF their
own country or in the armed forces of the United
Efafea required
lust how numerous the citizens or subjects Of the
allied powers now within the United States in fact
are 10 difficult TO ascertain with any degree OF &C
curacy. The census OF 1910 shows that there were
13515SS6 foreign-born In the United States An
examination Of the countries Of origin shows that over
100000 Of these emigrated from countries now at
OF all foreign born originated in the allied countries
u seems probable that this same percentage would,
ts sisns who resisssr.S On june t5is i true
and II between 100000 and 900 aliens registered
Of these were nationals Of the allies Why should
they fight behalf Of the both Of their country
Of origin and their adopted country think no fair
nan viii be able to say. rs. /.
Further. It would seem as the allied countries.
even we have treaty sdpuations with some Of them,
would unanimously and cordially, II the suggestion
made permit during the tendency Of the
emit TO include these persons such part Of them
IS we might desire within the armed forces Of the
United States The numbers are large and az the
goes on. may prove to be mighty and even deter
minatiye factor In the result Further earlier
in my remarks II Is of great importance In great
war that the spirit Of fairness and equality be every
viii almost Without exception deeply resent the ae-
cidental exemption from any military Obligation Of
their alien neghbors. For the sake, then, OF mill
tary effectiveness and for the sake OF national
morale reasonable and equitable solution should
be achieved. have prepared and introduced in con-
gress resolution requesting the SECRETARY Of state
to take up with the allied governments the whole mat
ter with view 70 securing consent for the inclusion
OF the avsiabe rationale Of those countries In the
armed forces OF the United States.
cannot too often repeat that our duty q nation
IL to win this wal. One Of the ways In which we can
strengthen ourselves for the combat ID to see to It
that our laws and operation laws justice
to all We have selfish interest in this struggle;
are simply Ing = Ss e maze e, ~ e Saao
house in order and ourselves to that justice
which are preparing with our ntes blood to exact
from others"
If we may Judge the attitude of the alien in the
United States from the remarks Of the allied aliens
Of Hawaii, there need be no doubt of the unani-
nous approval that would greet Congressman
Rogers resolution, which reads
Resolved, etc.. That the Secretary Of State be,
and he is hereby, requested to open diplomatic
gotiations with the Governments of the several
/ countries at war with country with which the
United States is at war with q view to obtaining
/ their approval and sanction for action by the
United States looking to the imposition upon such
citizens of those countries within the United
States of the liability to and performance of mill
/ tary service in the armed forces Of the United
States during the continuance Of the present war
between the United States and Germany, and to
! report to the Congress of the United States as
soon as practicable the result of such negotiations"
Exotic and tra-scientific discussion at the Amer
lean Medical Association brought forth learned con-
illusions of the origin of papa and mama, deduced
from photography of sound. The next step will be