The sun., 1917-09-22
THE IILIEN DRAFT.
A Peruvian Volunteer Thinks It win
Hurt Us in South America.


To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-Str: Ap-
parently the law to compel all aliens to
serve under the United States fiag will
pass the Senate. The House has passed
the bill and It Ia now up to the Senate
to give It the fnal touches.
This law will not be approved by any
Of the Latin American or European neu-
trail countries. In fact, think that II
the United States Government takes the
step to draft allen neutrals It will sooner
or later result In arguments which will
probably sever the present relations ex-
listing between the North and South
American people
There are some laws which are con-
sidered sacred by all nations. One OF
these 10 the principle by which Govern
nents have control over their citizens.
No democratic Government will allow q
foreign nation to draft or force one of
its citizens to do governmental work.
Let us remember that this is not the
first war, nor will II be the last. We
must also remember that there have
been wars In which European countries
alone have been concerned and wars In
which Latin American countries have
been concerned, yet during the fighting,
no matter how endangered the countries
involved have been, they did not resort
to drafting or forcing non-citizens to
do any fighting; neither did they compel
them to participate in any way. The
rights Of foreign citizens should be re-
spected In every way so long as they do
not interfere with or hinder the work Of
the Government in bringing about VIC
tory to the side Of tho AlRes.
Everybody Is we'll aware of the
hearty feeling of the South American
countries for the Allies. Whatever little
German feeling there is will rapidly dis
appear II the United States continues
to uncover the German policy. The
drafting into the governmental service
Of any Latin American citizen would
surely end in effective demands from the
Government, which would impede the ad-
vancement of commercial relations and
the development OF Pan-American de-
mocracy.
am sure II would not appeal to the
United States II the South American
countries were TO tax heavily the highly
paid United States citizens who are en-
ployed in South America. due to the
fact that some Of the countries are very
much affected by the war. thus causing
a crisis. The North American citizens
have as much right to live in South
America as the natives themselves with
out being molested by either the Gov
ernment or individuals; and this same
principle applies TO South Americans
living in the United States.
I can see ahead that II the Senate
passes the bill to draft neutral aliens
there will be much criticism. In fact.
the feeling Of the South American ma
tives will perhaps become more bitter
than it was ten or fifteen years ago.
Speaking for myself. l will say that I
| am willing to do anything to help de-
stroy the German autocracy. am in
! favor OF the slogan america for Amer
ica," and under this principle offered
| my services to the United States on
April 2. four days before war was de-
| clared, but was rejected because OF
being an alien.
North Americans are well aware of
| the patriotism that every Latin Ameri-
| can feels for this country, and it is i'm
| poss BILE to find any Latin American in
| dividual who is willing to give up his
citizenship when in foreign countries
| for the purpose Of development OF ideas
and training. In fact, all the efforts Of
| the Latin Americans are to educate
themselves to Yankee ideas, go as TO
| develop and increase Americanism in
| the southern half OF the American con-
tinent
Why pick on the South Americans
now living in the United States? The
South American Governments and peo-
Pile have always respected and liked
| the Yankees. and feel that we are en-
| titled to the same treatment in the
| United States. W. J. LEON, Jr.,
| Peruvian.
| New YoKK SeDtemher 90