Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-30
Methods Similar

Color to this theory is lent in some
degree to the marked similarity in the
methods of procedure in widely sepa-
rated communities. Some officials be-
lieve that the entire agitations is en-
gineered by German agents, who baf-
fled in their original program calling
for an armed uprising of German re-
servists in this country upon Ameri-
cas- entry into the war, have turned
their energies to this method OF hin
derng the military plans of the gov
ernment.e
If such is the case. the conspiracy
will come to nothing, officials believe.
The department of justice, it was au-
thorltatively announced tonight ex-
poets virtually 100 per cent of eligi-
bles to register and prompt prosecu-
ton under the criminal provisions or
the law will be instituted in the few
cases where the law is not observed.
To bring out the full registration At
torney General Gregory today invited
the entire nation to constitute itself a
committee of the whole and every man
of military age committee of one to
report slacRers.
Every man subject to registration
is not only expected by the department
Of Justice to comply with the law,
reads an official statement, but also to
constitute himself a committee of one
in his community to see that each OF
his acuuaintances who should register
does so, or is promptly reported for
prosecution under the criminal section
of the law Attorney General Gregory
asks the young men of the country 10
Co-operate in the enforcement of the
law as part of their patriotic duty.
"petermincd to crush in its incipi-
cncv every movement designed to
tbwart or interfere with registration
as provided for in the law, the depart
ment is having it's officers throughout
the country arrest promptly all agi-
tators against compliance with the
law.
The department is not dependent
entirely upon its agencies to discover
disloyal activity. State and munlclpal
police are cooperating and members
Of national patriotic and commercial
organizations which were enlisted ait
er the declaration of a state OF war 10
guard against all acts inimical to the
common welfare are engaged in bring
ing to the attention of United States
ATTORNEYS and marshals all instances
of attempts to discourage registration.
These several agencies Will be on
duty June ). honeycombing the coun-
try. to see that every man subject to
registration complies with the law and
that every official delegated to carry
out its provisions performs his duty
properly.
IAN these officials will be protected
in the performance Of their duty
heavily protected in communities
where the agitation has manifested
itself. The instructions sent to all
United States attorneys and marshals
read as follows:
'Rumors with respect to possible
resistance to the registration on June
under the selective service act hay
ing reached the department Of justice.
il is deemed expedient to issue the fol-
lowing instructions to YOU:
Attention is called to the duty en-
Joined upon YOU of protecting to the full
est the registrars and others carrying
the law into effect. and to the correspond
ing duty to arrest and prosecute all per-
sons evadng or encouraging evasion Of
the law. or seeking to shelter. prevent or
delay those who are well disposed and
CONTINUED on Page 9-CoIumn s.