The Washington times., 1917-07-21
II PACIFISTS HERE,
URGE PRESIDENT TO
MAKE 'EM EXEMPT
CONTINUED from First PaEe.)

CONTINUED from First PaEe.)
derman, Leon Sammon, Jacob MarEu-
lies, Samuel Barr, Alfred Levitt, Lee
land E Davis, Maurice Einsohn, Ma
than Goldentyer.
The following petition was left for
President Wilson:
I'VE are plain Americans. We were
taught that America was the finest,
freest nation on earth. We were
proud OF II.
Haven to Oppressed.
ITO the oppressed America was a
haven-a land Of opportunity. Here
were no lords, no crowns. no class
distinction. Every man was equal
Some Of our wealthiest men, some of
the greatest builders Of our nation
even several of our Presidents-came
from humble people. The honor and
glory OF America meant more to US
than can be put into words.
"A king. a kaiser. = car forced his
subjects. into the army. America re-
fused to follow their example. To es-
cape this military tyranny thousands
hocked to US from all countries OF the
world Why? Because they knew 1t
did not Mt in with American ideals 20
force men into the army OF the United
States against their will. America,
however, in this war abandoned the
volunteer system.
President Wilson favored conscrip-
ton on the ground that, to use his
own words, II was in no sense a con-
scription of the unwilling The bill
which he signed eXempts men of
recognized religious organization
whose membership is composed Of
nh
them kill. But there are thousands of
men throughout the land, simple, free
thinking liberty-loving Americans to
whom killing or helping to kill is as
strongly against their conscience, and
yet they are not members of such
sects or religious bodies. Such are the
persons whom the members of this
delegation represent.
No Organization.
I'VE speak for no organization. At
a mass meeting arranged by con-
scientious directors last night July
2O) at the New York city, the mem
bers Of this delegation, subject to
draft, were chosen from the audi
ence.
THE hall was filled TO the overflow
ing. Thousands were turned away.
Our expenses are being met by the
collections made there. We are in
structed to tell PrQ,ident Wilson
that the thousands at New York,
that thousands-hundreds Of thou
sands throughout the United States
want him to make this in no sense
a CONSUMPTION of the unwilling We
have a right to demand that this
promise be kept. We want to serve
our country to the limit of our con-
Rrfanra Further than that NE
not go. From what we know of
those who share our convictions we
believe that other delegations from
all parts OF the country will give the
President the same message. We.
conscientious DIRECTORS. demand fair
play-even though we be at war"
The pacifsts disclaimed any SYM
pathy with the l. w. WIS or an
Rrchists, and declared that they were
for Amsrica first, last. and all the
time, except when America asks us
to shoulder arms"
Threaten To Picket.
1--WE will picket the White House,
II we are not given recognition" one
OF the young men said. Other mem
bers of the party were inclined to
be rather Disguised that the Presi-
dent should leave the White House
at such q critical time"
Commissioner Brownlow and Major
Pullman declared they would take
care of the question OF picketing when
II arose. But 1t Is known that II the
young men attempt to do any picket
ing they will be arrested and sent to
the workhouse with none OF the con-
sideration given to the sufrragist
pickets.