The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-30
REGISTRARS MUST EXPLAIN.
BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
TO PERMIT UNNECESSARY
DELAY IN REGISTRA.
TION.
How Refractory Persons WIN be
Treated-Penalty for Violation Of
Army Law.

i
Army Law.
Columbia. May 23.--When the men
Of South Carolina go to places OF reg
istration on June to enroll their
names as being subject to the con-
scription law, they must answer the
twelve questions which are asked
frankly and without any attempt at
evasion. Explicit orders are given
the registrars of each precinct to
brook no quibbling or no refractory
conduct on the part of those who
present themselves for registration.
The part OF the instruction given
registrars relating to asking questions
is as follows:
ASK the questions as they are on
the card. II the answer does not
come readily or properly, explain and
ask again. Ee patient In explanation,
but In no event enter into any discus
sion. II the person is sullen or in
clined to falsify. evade or refuse to
answer call his attention to the law
on page of these instructions. which
imposes penalty for such conduct.
II he is still refractory do not delay
the registration, but call witnesses,
take the refractory persons name,
make a note Of the witnesses to the
occurrence. and after explaining the
penalty OF the law and giving him full
opportunity to reconsider. and as soon
as practicable report the case to the
County Registration Board. This is
your sworn duty for the neglect of
which you yourself become a misde-
meanant. Arrests will infrequently be
necessary and proper forbearance
should be shown. but the registration
should not be obstructed or delayed
and persons obstructing it must be
dealt with promptly and firmly"
The result of making false or mis-.
leading statement in answer to ques-
tions asked on the registration card
Is thus set out in the instructions
mailed to registrars:
| Amy person who shall make or be
party to the making or any false
statement or certificate as to the fit-
ness or liability of himself or any
other person for service under the
provisions OF this act. or regulations
made by the president hereunder, or
otherwise evades or aids another to
evnde the requirements of this act or
Of said regulations. or who in any
manner. shall fail or neglect fully to
perform any duty required of him in
the execution OF this act, shall, If not
subject to military law. be guilty of
a misdemeanor and upon conviction in
the district court Of the United States
having Jurisdiction thereof, be pun
.shed by imprisonment for not more
than ono year. or, il subject to mill
tary law, shall be tried by court mar
tial and suffer such punishment as a
court martial may direct"
Soldiers of the military units of
South Carolina, except those in fed
eral service. will be required to reg
lister under the terms of the selective
draft act on June 5. At this time
only the First regiment is in federal
| service and only the men of that
regiment will be exempt from regis
tration. the members Of the Second
regiment. coast artillery and indie
pendent units being required to pre-
sent themselves as civilians unless
they should be mustered in prior to
that date. which at this time seems
very unlikely.
The adjutant generals office today
called attention to this feature of the
exemption law in order that unin-
foi med members OF the military estab-
lishment of the State may not incur
u penalty through acting on the mis-
taken belief that they are exempt.
The men must be registered, though,
under the law. they will not be con-
scr,pted.