New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-07
Friendly Aliens
Ordered Accepted
AS u. S. Soldiers
Crowder Notifies Governors
Those Who Waive Exemp-
ton Will Be Accepted
Their Aid Welcome
Position of Training Camp
Candidates Outlined in Or
der by Provost Marshal

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The ranks
of the new National Army were opene1
formally to-day to friendly aliens as
volunteers. A ruling by Provost Mar
shall General Crowder communicated to
the local selection boards directs that
all such aliens who waive their right
of exemption on nationality be prompt
ly accepted for service.
General Crowder sent this telegram
TO the Governors:
Reports reaching this Office recent
" indicate that in some quarters the
belief prevails that friendly aliens
who have not declared their intention
TO become citizens, but are ready and
willing to serve, are disqualified from
entering the military service Of the
United States, and therefore that they
must take out first papers before they
can be accepted.
at is to be regretted that such
Misunderstanding should have arisen.
The qualifications for voluntary enlist
ment in time of war are no more re-
stricted for service in the new National
Army than for the regular army. Sucn
alien non-declarants are virtually VOL
unteers.
Position of Aliens
"The selective service act provided
for their registration, but it did not
regard them as being under any liza
bility TO serve, and it therefore gave
them full liberty to claim exemption
when called by local boards Now that
information reveals their willingness
in large numbers TO decline the ex-
emption and to accept service in this
war against the common enemy of our
civilization, it should be fully under
stood that their service Is heartily well
coined and they should be accepted.
whenever upon summons they fail to
claim their right of exemption.
"Thcy are assisting the cause Of their
own country by aiding the United
States to triumph in this war. The
more of them that enter the service
the better, for in this way will be re-
moved the cause Of dissatisfaction
heard in some quarters that although
the quota was based on total popula-
ton, including aliens, the actual draft
reached only citizens and declarants.
Local boards are directed to facili-
tate in every way the acceptance of
friendly alien non-declarants for mill
tary service and thus to enable them
10 do their share to assist the country
which has given them a refuge and
an honorable living"
Crowder Gives Out Instructions
General Crowder's Office issued also
instructions to guide registered men
who are either at officers training
camps, or who have applied for admis-
sion to the second series of these
camps which will open this month.
There has been considerable question
in the minds of these men as to how
they should proceed.
The instructions to local boards di-
rect that where a candidate at train
ing camp is called by his local board
for physical examination he may pro-
cure a certificate from his commanding
officer showing that he has been ex-
amined, and file that with the board
instead of making personal appearance
in response TO the summons. The board
will thereafter treat him as found
qualified for service, unless application
of exemption is filed subsequently in
his behalf.
If the candidate wins a commission
az the camp after he has been called
by the board for examination, but be-
fore he is actually drafted, he is re-
ouired 20 furnish certificate from his
commanding officer showing his ap-
pointmen,. The State Adjutant General
then will credit the board with one
drafted man.
IF the candidate is not commissioned
before his local board calls him for
military duty he must report TO the
board unless the War Department shall
have ordered him to duty at the train
ing camp, IN which event credit will
be given the board involved on its
quota in the draft.
Must File Proofs
Where the candidate has been COM
missioned before he is called by the
board he is required to file certificates
showing his status and also an appilca-
ton for exemption on the ground that
he is already in the military. service.
In that event he is exempted, but does
not figure in the credit account OF his
district.
lhere was some ulsCusSIOH quay 40
to the status of divorced men who are
paying alimony. II has been suggested
that in some cases the former wives of
such men are solely dependent upon
the alimony payments, and the, re-
moval of the men would work hardship
upon them. >.
No specific request for ruling has
been received, but il is regarded as
probable that if the question is raised
the same rule that applies to all other
discharges for dependents would fit the
case. II is not the purpose OF the gov
eminent to work hardship on any de-
nendert bv taking away breadwinner.
IL the sos a month which a soldier
can snare from his salary will provide
adequately for his home responsible
ties, however, he will not be released
from military service, so each case
mnst be considered on its merits.