New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-03
Circular Letter Advises
"Conscientious Directors"
to Rebel
Legal Help Promised
Recipients of Socialist" APP
peal Urged to Notify
Others

Agitation against the enforcement Of
the conscription law in New York s
being conducted secretly through the
mail
The Tribune learned yesterday that
thousands Of circular letters drgng the
recipients to rebel against CONSUMPTION
are being mailed in plain envelopes.
The letters warn that secrecy must be
maintained, recite the possibility Of ar
rest, recommend that lawyers in sym
pathy with conscientious DIRECTORS be
consulted. and ask that the letter be
copied and sent in plain envelopes to
"other friends"
The circular is signed Committee of
Conscientious Socialist Directors" No
such organization is publicly known and
officials of the Socialist party yesterday
denied they knew anything of it. A
copy Of the circular was mailed TO a
friend OF The Tribune on Friday from
Station Y, SiXty-eighth Street and
Third Avenue. 1t follows:
Dear Friend We are sending you this in
formation for CONSCIENTIOUS OBJ
JECIORS because there are many spies
watching our movements in order to pre-
vent an organized demonstration Of the OBJ
jectors. There must be an organized move
ment or our stand will be futile
OBEY THE REGISTRATION ORDER.
for you will be compelled TO register any
way after prison sentence. At the time
of registrati-... when asked IL you wish 10
serve in the military forces, reply No, |
am a conscientious Objector TO War" In
sultng. abusive remarks viii be made To
you. Do not reply 10 them. for they are
traps Of the recruiting officers. Keep cool
az all times Make no resistance 20 abuse
or violence
When receiving a conscript's order to r.
port 20 military headquarters refuse 20 re-
spond. II arrested notify a lawyer at once.
He viii make an effort 20 free you and look
after your interests while you jailed.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to do
now is % visit a lawyer who is in sympathy
with conscientious objectors and agree on
some method Of notification when you are
arrested. Hundreds of lawyers throughout
the nation are giving their services free TO
the cause. Get IN touch with one Of them
at once
President Wilson has said conscientious
directors viii not be- conscripted, but the
military authorities will do their best 90
send objectOrs % prison. As the bill stands.
the penalty Tor refusing 70 serve i q year
In prison. The penalty for urging con-
script 10 refuse 20 respond is TEN YEARS
IN PRISON. So be careful IN youf re-
marks and in your letters.
We warn you again not TO reply 20 abuse
or violence from the military authorities.
If reyiied by the conscrptlng authorities,
make no reply. n struck. meokly submit.
FOR if you try 20 defend yourself the mill
tary authorities have an excuse 20 shoot %
kill. FOR they will clear themselves with the
explanation that you were shot down re
sisting arrest" or attacking an officer
feeble old man was slain IN New York
for disobeying a guard man. SO there viii
be no hesitation at shooting a conscientious
objector.
An sorts Of tricks will be used 10 get you
% take the military oath and sign the roll
Of conscripts Carefully read everything
you sign, for If you sign the roll and take
the oath you are subject 20 military law
and out of The power of the civil courts.
and your lawyer will not be able TO aid you.
Please make a. many copies Of this let
ter a. you can AT ONCE and send them
IN PLAIN ENVELOPES 10 as many As
you can. Don't send them only TO men of
conscript age. FOR every one can assist in
tais chain letter of warning 10 conscientious
Objccto.s FraternaNy.
COMMITTEE OF CONSCIENTIOUS So
CIALIST DIRECTORS.