El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-09-22

position Of president Wilson IS reported to have
blocked consideration In the senate Of a measure
- introduced by senator Chamberlain, author Of the
compulsory service bill The blocked Is one which
would authorize the drafting Of aliens into the United
States army President Wilson is quoted as believing such
would be unjust and pTeerrlng to settle BY treaty
with Great Britain France Italy and other countries Of
the alliance the question Of drafting their subjects or
citizens into army
Possibly an arrangement of that kind can be made,
with the provision that nationals OF allied countries,
drafted into the United States army may have the PRIV
ege Of transferring their flags exchange with
Americans who may be fighting under the foreign colors
would welcome opportunity with their
But how about the nationals Of neutral countries? How
about the Mecans for instance? Supporters of the Cham
berlan bill argue It Is enough to cause deep feeling Of
bitterness to see American youths sent away to wa leav-
ing aliens behind to live IN and comfort, filling the
positions the Americans left drawing their pay. 1t
argued that aliens having enjoyed the blessings Of this
democracy ought to bear some OF the burden OF defending
1t in war The argument appeals to prejudice but It VIII
not bear close examination.
Nationals Of neutral countries not concerned in
fight This Is not their 1t is Neutral countries
feel the motives recognize they would
not be neutrals Subjects OF citizens Of neutral countries
should uphold the neutrality Of their countries and should
be protected by their governments IN that neutrality
WHAT AN UPROAR THIS COUNTRY OF OURS
WOULD HAVE MADE HAD AMERICAN CITIZENS
BEEN DRAFTED INTO THE GERMAN ARMY WHILE
THE UNITED STATES REMAINED NEUTRAL, OR HAD
ONE FACTION OR ANOTHER IN MEXICO DRAFTED
AMERICAN CITIZENS AND FORCED THEM TO FIGHT
AND DIE FOR CARRANZA OR VILLA!
Drafting neutral aliens would be wrong principle and
very uuwise practice The enactment of such law
would at once srp this border country of the Mexican
population which It largely depends for the labor
which If caunot otherwise secure Even with assurances
every hand that the secve draft did contemplate
conscrpng bona fide Mexican citizens thousands Of Mex
fled this country, causing in districts serious
labor shortage which Uost efforts to overcome have been
only partly successful.
Should alien draft law be enacted, It may be mag
med what rush to Mexico would occur SOME OF THE
LARGEST INDUSTRIES IN The SOUTHWEST WOULD
BE FLAT ON THEIR BACKS IN 4s HOURS. All the
guards which could be placed along the border would not
suffice to stem the southwark tide
The proposed draft law would have provision that
aliens not willing 70 be subject to the draft would have
90 days which to leave the United States Over the
Mexican Canadian borders off c0astwise ships
South America they would 20. Every section of the
United States would suffer IT WOULD BE GRAVE /
BLOW TO INDUSTRIES AND TO BUSINESS
Not altogether the fought the field of battle
America would not fight at all the battlefield If the in
dustries home collapsed They must be kept going On
the shoulders Of neutras extent viii fall task
Of carrying the industries those Of and Of peace