Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-11
WILL ENLIST
FRIENDLY ALIENS
To Accept Those Who Waive
Exemption on Nationality.
They AID THE CAUSE

Provision Has Been Made to Protect
Harvesting From Shortage of Hands
Because of Draft.
The ranks of tho new national army
were opened formally to friendly aliens
as volunteers.
ruling by Provost Marshal General
Crowdcr communicated to the local
selection boards directs that all such
aliens who waive their rights of ex.
emption on nationality be promptly &C.
copied for service.
General Crowdcr sent this telegram
to the governors:
REPORTS reaching this office recent.
~ indicate that in some quarters the
boiler prevails that friendly aliens.
who have not declared their intention
to become citizens, but are ready and
willing to serve, are disqualified from
entering the military service of the
United States, and therefore that they
must take out first papers before they
can be accepted. 1t Is to be regretted
that such misunderstanding should
nave arisen. The qualifications for
voluntary enlistment In time of war
are no more restricted for service in
tho new national army than for the
regular army. Such alien non-declar.
ants are virtually volunteers,
THE selectiyo service act provided
for their registration; but It did not
regard them as under any liability To
serve, and 1T therefore gave them full
nDcrty TO claim exemption when called
by local boards. Now that Information
reveals their willingness in large mum.
bers to decline this exemption and to
accept service in this war against the
common enemy Of our civilization. IL
should be fully understood that their
service is heartily welcomed. and thcy
should be accepted Whenever upon
summons they fat! to claim their right
of exemption.
"They are assisting the cause OF
their own country by aiding tho Unit.
ed States to triumph In this war. Tive
moro OF them that enter the service
tho better, for In this way will be re.
moved the cause of dissatisfaction
heard IN some quarters that, although
the quota was based on total popula.
ton, including aliens, the actual draft
A>','N" Why S'liHciiS una QeCluTnn'S.
Local boards are directed to facilt.
tate In every way tho acceptance OF
friendly ALLEN non-declarants for mill
tary service and thus to enable them
-, ,sassist the >untry
which has given them a refuge ID m
honorable living"
Provision to protect harvesting from
shortage OF hands due to the mobility.
ton Of the national army has been
made by the government In regulations
now going out to the district exem,.
ton boards.
Men needed In the fields to complete
harvesting will be permitted to remain
at work until the need for them passes,
when they Willie the colors Local
boards, because of their knowledge
OF local conditions, will determine
what men are necessary in this class
Application for delay on this ground
may be submitted to the district
boards. The papers of harvest hands
will be returned by tho district boarl
to the local board where selection will
be made. The local boards are author.
lied to arrange their quotas In five
divisions or increments. which will be
ordered out for service in order. Har
vest hands who are needed will be
placed in the division which will not
be called until after the need for them
In the elds has passed.