The Alaska citizen., 1917-07-16
F II o \ F. 2 6 ,
THE REGISTRY OF AIAShANS.

I'll. REGISTRY OF AIASkANS.
 OI the young American manhood oi N a>ka and oi Fairbanks and the surrounding district in particular, The Citizen has on, very clear cut conception, and that is that i. i~ un~WcryjuUiy loyal to the Flag that il i trfc to the democratic idea that has enlisted America in the war. that it has respect for the authority that 1t helped create and Whic1 represents it, and that 1t possesses vast iuul ol uncquallcd good judgment.
 We think there will be no one who quc~ tious the truth of the above estimate, a1Io NC ourselves unhc,italingIy believe that Whcl the registration oI AIa>ka'> young men close il will contain the name of practically cycrs man between the age, ol tWcnty-onc and thir ty-onc years. The registration Outside Wa d wonderful source oi patriotic inspiration i' the country, and that oi Alaska will be Ii, less 50. We expect that all Alaskan> will Z, To the places fixed for registration with th, same spirit ol willingness that i> shown by the volunteer when he goes to a recruiting sta ton and oilers his services to his country That each man should feel q sense of pardon able pride i> no more than 10 be expected when he marches forward with the firm stcf oi man who pcrccivcs his plain duty an, is ready to perform 1t.
 While We believe heartily III the nationa devotion oi all Americans, we are sure that Il la especially strong in AIaskans, as has bceI shown by their attitude on all occasions. This is the day of those who are liable to military service, al all others will yield to them tho right of way and show them the honor oI ole patriot to another We hesitate to think that there are any who are inclined to ignorl the duty that has fallen 10 them, but ii thcrl should be such, or ii there should be thoel who would lay obstacles ill others way o1 seek 10 turn them aside from their plain duty ir would be well for them to consider tho avoWed purposes oi the country, of the great work that America has set for hcr>clf ol the democratic ideal that actuatcs the marc oI Amcrica's armies, and the gains that vii accrue to humanity from Americans self denial and sacrifice.
 To be sure, there is a severe penalty fOI both those who fail to register and any who would hinder others from registering, and a. has been shown by recent trials in the States individuals of both classes will feel the long arm of the United States law. But we would regret to think that it should be said ol any Alaskan that he registered through fear ol
 
 the spirit that guides all Alaskans, 1t will be love oi country and not fear that is the com polling motive during the registration period
 While the registration books do not close luluI September /, there Is no reason to de lay registration longer than Is necessary. Inc IatcncSs oI the close Is caused more by the remOteneoo O1 some sections O1 the country and the necessary slow methods O1 Communl- eaton than by anything else Every man who Is eligible should register at the first opportunity. As rapidly as the registration places are opened all men liable should do their duty at once i'll order to get line OH the probable number from which Conscripts will be drawn.
 The registration o1 almost ten million young men Ill the States has shown that the spirit which has made Us a nation still eN iSts and that our ideal of what we should be IS undimmed. The record that Alaskans will make during the registration period will not fall below that of the States, and will probably be far better. There is serious work ahead of the country, but 1t is big and glori- work, not for the aggrandzement o1 Am erica, but for the benefit of humanity and future generations to come.
 BE WARNED