The Washington herald., 1917-08-04
REBELS" Arm
TO fight DRAFT
Mobs with Rifles Defy Au-
thorities IN South :
and West. -

and West. -
Sporadic outbursts against the dan
in North Carolina. Georgia. Oklahoma.
and other sections forced the Depart
] ment OF Justice last night TO adopt
drastic steps to prevent violation. OF
, , the law.
From the reports reaching Wash
ington yesterday the anti-draft demon
strations had reached the point OF vio-
lence In some sections and caused fn-,
structions 10 be issued TO distrtc. at
torneys having jurisdiction over the
territories affected to be especially
vigliant in checking futue trouble
Department Not Worried.
oficials at the Department OF Justice
rather minimized the seriousness OF
come Of the outbreaks, declaring that
they were merely isolated Instances OF
lawlessness, no more troublesome than
could be expected in peace times
Special investigations were ordered,
to investigate disquieting reports from
North Carolina 70 the effect that a
movement was on foot in the west
ern part OF that State to oppose ths
army draft by armed resistance.
Unoficial reports TO the Department.
Of Justice said that Elountaineers ana
farmers had supplied themselves with
rifles and ammunition 10 prevent the
drafting o; young men in that sec
ton. Similar reports came from
Blackshear. Ga. and instructions were
dispatched 90 the Federal authorities
to apprehend and prosecute the dis
fnnrhTrR IN - 11f
hrmAtion was received at the depart
ment that the dynamiting and burn
ing Of the Frisco bridge at Francis. /
Okla, was the work ot anti-drSft
propagandists.
May Send Troops
Oklahoma City. Aug. 3-Troops
probably will be sent to Pottotoc and 7
Seminole Counties in the south cen
trail portion OF Oklahoma. where TO-
day the first armed outbreak against
the draft took place and whore q
small army OF approximately 800 men.
heavily armed, has taken possession
Of q large section and is preparing
TO resist being drafted.
Gov. Williams tonight Is IN confer
ence with Adtutant Gen. carp. con-
siderinz the sending Of troops 20 put
a. sup 70 Ilo lIosIteo OA Allt HlaEcu-
ing rioters.
il is believed that the outbreak has
been smoulderinE for sometime and
the rebels" made up Of negroes and
tenant white farmers. secretly banded
together and laid plans TO reEist the
draft
March on Town
Armed with rifles the rebels are
q y nc IN TkrHsm q HNa~N-
avowed intention 20 seize munitions
and make Q desperate hght AGAINST
any forces that might oppose thcn-
The army Is growing as .; marches
through the farming districts.
County oiicials. OF Wewoka. have
sent appeals for assistance 10 Gov.
Williams. TIE mob Is reported TO
have entered Sasawka la:e this after
noon and broke into two hardware
stores, conAscated a qEantity cf IRE
arms and munitions. The motley
crowd. part OF which was before
armed only with revolvers. shot guns
ard pitchforks. equipped itself fully
with rifles and cartridges al the seized
stores.
Volunteers sofn.
Through all the farm country that
the rebels are traversing their force (
is being multiplied by volunteers and
their ranks. Where these men DO not
join willingly their property IS dam
aged and they are compelled to join
the marchers.
A posse Of 90 armed citizens IN
automobiles have left Ada to intercept
the marchers. A battle is expected
when the forces meet. Most OF the
rebels are tenant farmers. Many OF.
them are negroes. They are march
ing the roads singing wildly The
Battle Hymn Of the Republic" and
John Browns Body" Statements
gathered from two frightened boys
who were impressed by the mob, but
who escaped. are that the rioters be-
lieve themselves forerunners Of p rev
olution which is. to spread throughout
the country.
Dynamite Bridge.
The first violence committed by the
rioters was the dynamitinC OF the
Frisco Railroad bridge at Francis.
Traffic was delayed twelve hours.
Officers OF Pottawatomie and Okuiui-
gee, fearing that the insurrectio viii
spread into their districts, have be-
sieged the State capital with appesis
for aid.
Gov. Williams has authorized civfi-
ian posses 10 organize 20 protect their
communities. Tonight posses OF re-
Gently recruited civilians are scour-
ing the hills in skirmishing parties
l. is their intention TO combine when
the rebels are sighted and give battle
Sminole and Sasawaka have sent
posses in pursuit and armed men
from Heldenville and wewoka arc pa
trolling the roads.
Laid TO I. w. w.
Much OF the trouble is said 20 Be
attributed to the ]. W. w. who are
said 20 have strong organization
in Okuskee County. Members OF
the organization are said 70 have