The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-07-12
PUPPIES AND LIARS
That is What Judge Lands Terms the
Fellows Who Refused to Reg
lister and Made Trouble.
Stiff Sentences Imposed Foreigners
Must be Taught to Respect
Laws of the Country.

Freeport, ILL.,, July Characterize
ing them as whining and bellyaching
puppies" Judge Kenesaw Mountain
Lands late yesterday sentenced 108 of
the draft evaders who took part in the
Rockford riot Of June 6 to a year in
the house of correction in Chicago, the
limit which the law allows. Three
others received short sentences in the
house of correction. All will be forced
to register and stand their chance in
the draft.
The moment the court opened it was
evident from the questioning by the
judge Of the first defendant that it
was to be typical "Landis" day for
the court fans.
During the Interrogation Judge Lam
dis did not mince words when it be-
came apparent to him the defendants
evidently had agreed on a common ex-
cuse for not registering conscientious
objection to war.
Closely Questioned by Judge.
The questions put to each defendant
by the court were of a similar nature.
He desired to know the age of the de-
PENDANT, what country he came from,
how long he had been in America,
whether he had taken out his first
naturalization papers, whether he be-
longed to any organization opposing
registration, why he did not register,
and whether he would register now.
II am willing to register, but I do
not want to go to war;" August Nor
man, the first of the defendants said.
II do not want to kill or hurt anyone"
"Well, do you want me to believe
that if man came up to you with
hickory club you would let him beat
you into pulp without trying to de-
fend yourself" asked the court with
a suspicion of sheer. "Wouldn't you
fight back?"
"No, I guess I would run away" the
defendant answered.
Fears Pangs of Hunger.
Sven Carlson said he wanted to go
back to Sweden as soon as the war
was over, but preferred to stay in the
United States until then, as he was
afraid he would not get enough to eat
if he went to Europe at this time.
"Do you want to register ?"
eyes, if you promise me-" Carl
son replied
II am not here to promise you any,
thing" the court Numbered. "Do you
want to register?
"Not if I have to kill anyone" was
the answer.
eff I send you back to Russia will
you help the boys back there?" the
court asked when Adam Mixis stood
before him.
"No, sir; I am opposed to war and
do not want TO fight or use a gum"
Maxis answered.
"You do not want to handle gun;
wonder how far our fellows would
have gone in the civil war if they had
not carried guns" remarked the court.
Dodger of Military Service.
The court became particularly in
censed while questioning Nels Larson,
who testified he had lived in the Unit
ed States for more than nine years.
that he had not taken out any natural
ization papers, and that he had left
Sweden to avoid military service there.
$50 you lodged military service in
the country of your birth, and now
when the country in which you have
been earning living for the last nine
years calls on you to help it out you
delibertly do the same thing here. One
year in the house of correction, and
take this man out of here at once!"
the court shouted.
The ire Of the court was again
aroused when Swan Lingren stated he
had positive objection to all wars.
"Do you belong to any party or or
ganiZation ?" he was asked.
Gill q 1lCIIUcl VI CIlO SOCldllSC par
ty."
F'This is the type that has damned
. the socialist party" said the court,
addressing Attorney Seymour Sted-
man, who was in court representing
some of the defendants.
''Matter of Conscience"
cts probably matter of conscience
with him." Mr.. Steadman said.
"Why, if this man experienced a
spasm of conscience he would have an
epileptic fit, was the courts rejoinder.
Judge Lands took another "dig" at
the socialist party when Martin Eng
strom said he was at the hall in Rock
ford on the night of the parade, but he
did not hear any talking or speaking
of any kind. In reply to query from