Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-11
WILL ENLIST
FRIENDLY ALIENS
To Accept Those Who Waive
Exemption on Nationality.
THEY AID THE CAUSE

Provision Has Been Made to Protect
Harvesting From Shortage of Hands
Because Of Draft.
The ranks Of tho new national army
were opened formally to friendly aliens
as volunteers.
ruling by Provost Marshal General
Crowdor communicated to the local
selection boards directs that all such
aliens who waive their rights of ex-
emption on nationality be promptly &C.
ccpted for service
General Crowder sent this telegram
to the governors:
Reports reaching this office recent.
ly Indicate that in some quarters the
belief prevails that friendly aliens,
VINO have not declared their intention
to become citizens, but are ready and
willing to serve. arc disqualified from
entering the military service of the
United States, and therefore that thcv
must take out first papers before they
can be accepted. II IS to be regretted
that such misunderstanding should
nave arisen. The qualifications for
voluntary enlistment I'm time of war
are no moro restricted for service In
tho now national army than for the
regular army. Such alien non.dcclar
ants are virtually volunteers,
IN" Solcc'irc service act provided
FOR their registration: but il did not
regard them as under any liability to
serve, and II therefore gave them full
liberty to claim exemption when callol
by local boards. Now that information
reveals their willingness in largo mum.
DrrS TO decline this exemption and 10
accept service III this war AGAINST thu
common enemy of our civilization, II
should be fully understood that thcir
service is hcnr'i'y welcomed. and thew
should be accepted Whenever upon
summons They fai! to claim their right
OF exemption
"Thcy are assisting tho cause OF
their own country by aiding tho INT.
cd States to triumph in this war. Tive
moro 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 populp.
ton, including aliens, the actual draft
reached only citizens and declarants
Local boards arc directed to facil
tate In every way the acceptance O!
friendly ALLEN non-declarants for mill
tary service and thus to enable then
So =, assist the 'untry
which has given them refugo ID en-
honorable living"
Provision to protect harvesting from
shortage OF hands due to the mobiliZ,.
ton OF the national army has been
made by the government In regulations
now going out to the district eXemr
ton boards.
Men needed In the fields to complete
harvesting will be permitted to remain
at work until the need for them passes
when they will join tho colors. Local
boards, because Of their knowledge
OF local conditions, will determine
what men are necessary in this class
Application for delay on this ground
may be submitted to the district
boards. The papers OF harvest hands
will be returned by the district boarl
to the local board where selection will
be made. The local boards are author
lied to arrange their quotas in five
divisions or incrcmcnts, which will be
ordered out for service in order. IIar
vest hands who are needed will be
placed in the division which will not
be called until after the need for them
In the .lds has passed.