The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-05-31
ANTI-DRAFT AGITATION

Persons Responsible for Agitation
Aainst Draft Will be Arrested and
Prosecuted-German Propagandists
Suspected-Every Patriotic Citizen
Should Report Slackers
Washington Dispatch, May 20.
Attorney General Gregory today in
stducted United States attorneys and
marshals throughout the country to-
use their utmost efforts to arrest and
prosecute all persons responsible for
the agitation which has manifest
ed itself in localities from New Eng
land to Texas against the registra-
ton June of men subject to the Sc
lective draft. :@i@
The agitation has made itself felt
somewhat in many sections, but thus
far there apparently is little CON
nection between the outbreaks. u
ficials have undertaken an exhaus. ;.
tive Investigation to determine ~
the wholeanti-tdr draft sentiment IS not
rooted in extensive Vaccinations OF
German propagandists in this coun-
try, having a central headquarters.
Color to this theory is lent, in some
degree, by' the marked similarity in
the method of procedure in widely
separated communities. Some. offic-
iais believe that the entire agitation
is manufactured by German
agents, who, baffled in their orig
inal program calling for an armed
uprising of German reservists in this
country upon Americas entry into
the war, have turned their energies
to this method Of hindering the mil
itary plans of the government.
If such is the case, the conspiracy
will come to nothing, officials be
lieve. The Department of Justice
it was authoritatively announced TO-
night, expects 100 per cent OF ell
gibles to register and prompt pros
ecution under the criminal provision:
of the law will be instituted in thu
few cases where the law is not OBJ
served.
To bring out the full registration
Attorney General Gregory today IN
vited the entire nation to constitute
itself a committee of whole, and ev
ery man of military age commit
tee of one, to report slackers.
"Everv man subject to registration
is not only expected by the Depart
ment of Justice to comply with tn
law" reads an official statement
"but also to constitute himself com
mittee fone in his community t.
see that each of his acquaintance
who should register does so, or
: promptly reported for prosecutor
under the criminal provisions OF tn
law. Attorney General Gregory IN
vites all young men OF the countr
to cooperate in the enforcement Q
the law as part OF their patrlotl
duty.
Determined to crush in incipienc
every movement designed to thrwa1
Interference with registration a
, provided for in the law, the depart
ment is having it's officers through
, out the country arrest promptly a
agitators against compliance with tn
!. law. "
seThe department is not depender
entirely upon its agencies to dlsco1
er disloyalty. State and municip;
!. police are cooperating and member
: of the National patriotic and con
= mercial organizations which Wei
= enlisted after the declaration Of
: state of war to guard against all .ac1
: inimical to the general welfare al
= engaged in bringing to the after
: ton of the United States attorney
and marshals all instances of a
!. tempts to discourage registration.
"These several agencies will be
! duty June 5, honeycombing II
!, country to see that every man suo]e
i to registration complies with the Ia
= = and that every official delegated
!. : carry out it's provisions perform'
= his duty properly"