The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-06-15
More Than Ten Million Young
Americans Register for
National Army.
PERSRING REACHES ENGLAND
British Start Tremendous Offensive In
Belgium, First Blowing Up Messines
Ridge Japan Warns Russia
Against Withdrawing From the
War--Food Scarcity Wor.
ries Germany.
by howard W. PIckARp.

More than 100000 men between
the ages Of twenty-one and thirty
years responded to the call of the ma
tion on Tuesday, June 8, registration
day for the national army. Thus the
first step In the execution of the se-
lective service law was completed with
gratifying success and the predictions
~ the Germans and OF the traitors In
America who side with them that the
registration would be failure were
proved false.
Tint there would be opposition to
the registration was u foregone CON
clusion, but 1t was sporadic and on
the whole was OF no Importance Such
hostile demonstrations as there were
generally took place In strongholds of
the l. w. w. and the Socialists and
were promptly squelched.
Returns from some states were be-
low the estimates of the census bu-
reau. but In other states those esti-
mates were exceeded, A large pro-
portion OF those registering claimed
exemption, usually because Of depend
ent relatives, and the war department
officials, as result. Intlmated that the
rules governing exemption would be
frightened.
The considerable number OF claims
for exemption really does not mean
that so many young Americans desire
10 avoid service. Such conclusion
would be most unjust, for everywhere
there were evidences OF unbounded pa
triotism and loyalty. and the indlea-
tions OF exemption claims arose mainly
from the necessary answers TO ques-
tIons that were merely statistical.
AS soon ms the machinery of regis
tration IL readjusted, 100000 names
will be drafted, the exemption boards
will do their work and 625.000 men
viii be called for immediate service.
Pershino Arrives In England.
The safe arrival OF General Per-
shing and his stan at an English port
was announced on Friday.
The naval collier Jupiter, laden with
grain and other supplies for the Per-
shlng army and escorted by American
warships, arrived at a French port I;
squadron Of our warships arrived
at Rio de Janeiro. Brazil. presumably
to relieve the British navy OF the pa
troll of the South. Atlantic; and more
hospital units landed In England and
proceeded to France. So much the
government allowed to be known of
/ the movements of our armed forces.
Military expediency demanded the sup
preston of much more interesting
news.
Preparations have been made for the
reception of American troops In
France. A number Of bases have beSn
organized, camps for infantry and ar
tillery have been laid out, and aviation
parks established.
i From France came the news of the
exploit of the American steamship
Silvershell which encountered an enc.
my submarine in the Mediterranean
The two vessels fought for an hour
and half, exchanging many shots
and then one shell fired by the naval
gunners ON the Silvershell found It's
mark and the U-boat was sent to the
bottom.
British Offensive in Flanders.
After a smashing bombardment last
ing three days, the British began theil
expected offensive in Flanders earl,
Thursday morning with an explosion
that was heard by Premier Lloyt
George at Walton Heath, 140 mile
away. Nine miles of German position
along the Ypres-Armentieres from