The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-06-14
More Than Ten Million Young
Americans Register for
National Army.
PERSRIN6 REACHES ENGLAND
British Start Tremendous Offensive in
Belgium, First Blowing Up Messines
Ridge - Japan Warns Russia
Against Withdrawing From the
War-Food Scarcity Wor-
ries Germany.
BY EDWARD w: pickARo.

More than 100000 men between
the ages of twenty-one aud thirty
years responded to the call of the ma
ton on Tuesday, June s. registration
day for the national army. Thus the
first step in the execution of the Sc
lective service law was completed with
gratifying success and the predictions
of the Germans and of the traitors In
America who side with them that the
registration would be failure were
proved false.
That there would be opposition TO
the registration was foregone con-
cluslon, but it was sporadic and on
the whole was of no Importance. Such
hostile demonstrations as there were
generally took place in strongholds of
the /. w. w. and the Socialists and
were promptly squeIched.
Returns from some states were be-
low the estimates of the census bu-
reau, but in other states those esti-
mates were exceeded. A large pro-
portion of those registering claimed
exemption, usually because of depend
ent relatives, and the war department
officials, as result intimated that the
rules governing exemption would be
frightened.
The considerable number of claims
for exemption really does not mean
that 40 many young Americans desire
to avoid service. Such conclusion
would be most unjust, for everywhere
there were evidences of unbounded pa
triotism and loyalty. and the indica-
tons of exemption claims arose mainly
from the necessary answers TO ques-
tons that were merely statistical.
As soon rs the machinery of regis
tration is REQUESTED, 100000 names
will be drafted, the exemption boards
will do their work and 625, 900 men
Will be called for immediate service.
Persning Arrives in England.
The safe arrival Of General Per
shing and his staff at an English port
was announced on Friday
The naval collier Jupiter, laden with
grain and other supplies for the Per-
shing army and escorted by American
warshipS. arrived at French port:
q squadron of our warships arrived
at Rio de Janelro. Brazil, presumably
to relieve the British navy of the pa
troll of the South Atlantic; and more
hospital units landed in England and
proceeded to France. So much the
government allowed to be known of
the movements of our armed forces.
Military expedIency demanded the sup
preston of much more interesting
news.
Preparations have been made for the
reception OF American troops In
France. A number of bases have been
organized, camps for infantry and ar
tillery have been laid out. and aviation
parks established.
From France came the news OF the
exploit OF the American steamship
Silvershell which encountered an enc
my submarine in the Mediterranean.
The two vessels fought for an hour
and then one shell fired by the naval
gunners on the Silvershell found Its
mark and the U-boat was sent to the
bottom.
British Offensive in Flanders
After a smashing bomhardment last
ing three days, the Britlshsbegan their
expected offensive in Flanders early
Thursday morning with an explosion
that was heard by Premier Lloyd
George mt Walton Heath, $40 miles
away. Nine miles of German positions
along the Ypres-Armentieres front