The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-08-08
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AS DESERrER,S
Thirteen Officers Will Try jResisters
and Only President Can Save
1hem-Give List to Press
lF YOU DON'T APPEAR, MUST GO
Man Who Disregards Call for Exami.
nation Automatically is Passed
and Made Part Of Army


nation Automatically is Passed
and Made Part Of Army
WASHINGTON, D. c.. August a.
Registered men who resist the selec
tive draft law face military court mar
tial for desertion and the possibility
Of execution for desertion in time o1
war. The whole military and civi
powers of the federal government
states, cities or counties will be EN-
ployed to bring them to book. -
This was announced in a formal
statement tonight by Brigadier Gen
erals Enoch H. Crowder. provost mar
shall general, in response to reports
from North Carolina, Georgia and
Oklahoma of anti-draft disturbances
AS yet the power of the federal
government, has not been invoked by
the governors of the three states nol
By the agents of the department OF
Justice; 3ji r.
4 The only official notice received in
Washington, of the disturbances was
telegram from the governor OF
North Carolina saying the registered
men of two townships in that state
might refuse in body to comply with
the summons for examination.
Use Soldiers Any Time Needed
No official word came from Okla
homa, where the most serious stu
alton prevails. 1t was believed the
governor, both in his official state
capacity and as the direct agent OF
the president in the execution of the
raft law, is confident that order can
be restored without military aid
There will be no hesitation, however
in employing federal troops If they
are needed. T..
Don't Appear, Must Co
In practice under General Crowd
er's construction of the law register
ed men who do not appear for ex'
animation will be posted to the dis
trict boards as selected for military
service as soon as the five day period
allowed them to put in an appearance
after they have been summoned has
elapsed. Two days more will! elapse
after their names reach the district
board to- await appeal action by the
siadiyidNal They then aWili be posted
to the 1djutant general Of the state
as selected to fill the quotas of their
district. "a 81
Orders for the mobilization Of the
selected men will be given some time
during the present month. If the re-
sister fails to obey that order he will
be set down, as absent without leave
and the machinery will be set in mo-
ion to bring him in. When it is clear
4. 1T he is wilfully absenting himself
with no intention of reporting to the
army, charge of desertion will be
placed against him. From that time
on, any civil officer who arrests him
will earn reward of $50. +. "s
Only President Can Save Them
II found guilty by court martial of
desertion, the individual may be sen.
fenced to death and only the presi.
dent can save him from punishment.
General Crowder believes that the
resisters in Oklahoma, and elsewhere
are acting under a delusion, fostered
probably by agitators, that they are
conducting political campaign
against the draft. whereas the time
for that passed when the registration
was completed. The government takes
no interest in their proceedings now
unless they fail to report to their COM
pai4ies' when called. There is no
question involved of civil court local
jurfes. Thirteen army officers will
pass on the cases of the men when
they are brought to book, and the
armed strength Of the nation is avail
able to bring them to book.
But Those Who Aid, Look Out i
As to those who are aiding or abet-
ting the resisters the situation is diff
erent. While the government will
make no effort to bring in men who
do not obey the summons Of the local
selection boards or attempt to enforce
their attendance in any way until
they have passed into the military
status, it will use every energy to
stamp out disorders designed to pre-.
vent the execution of the federal laws.
Such a step, however, would not be
taken until the governors asked for
military forces to restore order.
Press to Tell Of Exemption Claims
General Crowder also took action
today to reduce the number of appli-
cations for exemption which news re-
ports indicate are being filed. In a
telegram to all governors he directed
that local boards be instructed to fur.
nish to newspapers hereafter. from
day to day, names Of all registered
men who apply for. exemption, the
grounds asserted i. to support such
claims and the action taken oby: the
board. In cases Of discharge ffofo ply
steal disqualifications,b This does not
apply. as they are not cases where ex-
emption Is claimed, but are the re-
suit Of rejection by a board.
Officials believe the effect of this
order will be to curb applications for
exemption to large extent. Men who
do not have legitimate excuses are
not expected to want their conten-
tions made known to neighbors who
would recognize the weakness Of
their circumstances and that it is not
lack of patriotism or fear which has
prompted them to seek relief from
military service. Exemption in such
case officials declare, will be gem
orally approved and the parents and
relatives OF boys who will be taken
are entitled to know why the boys of
their neighbors were not taken.
NJ -