Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-08-09
SLACKERS TO Be
CALLED DESERTERS
Men Drafted Who Failed TO Report
for Examination Before Board to
BE Classed as Deserters.

Registered men who resist the Sc
lective draft law face military court
martial for desertion and the posi-
bility of execution for desertion in
time of war. The whole military and
civil powers of the federal govern
ment, states, cities or counties will
be employed to bring them to book.
This was announced in a formal
statement Saturday night by Briga-
der General Enoch II. Crowder. pro-
vost marshal general, in response to
reports from North Carolina, Georgia
and Oklahoma of anti draft disturb
ances.
AS yet the power of the federal
government has not been invoked by
the governors of the three states nor
by the agents of the department of
justice
The only official notice received
in Washington of the disturbances
was telegram from the governor of
North Carolina saying the registered
men of two townships in that state
might refuse in a body to comply
with the summons for examination.
Use Soldiers Any Time Needed.
No official word came from Okla
HOIud, WH6Te Iue lllOSJ S6TlOuS sllud-
ton prevails. 1t was believed the
governor, both in his official state
capacity and as the direct agent OF
the president in the execution of the
draft law, is confident that order can
be restored without military aid
There will be no hesitation, however
in employing federal troops if they
are needed.
Don't Appear. Must Go.
In practice under General Grow
der's construction of the law regis
tered men who do not appear fol
examination will be posted to the
district boards as selected for mill
tary service as soon as the five-day
period allowed them to put in al
appearance after they have beer
summoned has elapsed. Two day:
mors will elapse after their name:
reach the district board to await
appeal action by the individual The!
then will be posted to the adjutan
general of the state as selected t
fill the quotas of their district
Orders for the mobilization of TIL,
selected men will be given some tim'
during the present month. If thu
register fails to obey that order h
will be set down as absent withou
leave and the machinery will be Sc
in motion to bring him in.
When it is clear that he is wilfull.
absenting himself with no intention
of reporting to the army, a charg
of desertion will be placed agains
him. From that time on. any civi
officer who arrests him will earn
reward of $50.
Only President Can Save Them.
If found guilty. by court MARTA
of desertion, the individual may b
sentenced to death and only the presi
dent can save him from punishment
General Crowder believes that tn
resisters in Oklahoma and elsewher
are acting under delusion, fostere'
probably by agitators that they ar
conducting political campaign
against the draft, whereas the tim
for that passed when the registra
ton was completed. The government
takes no interest in their proceeding
now unless they fail to report to thei
companies when called. There is m
question involved of civil court juries
Thirteen army officers will pass on thu
cases of the men when they ar
brought to book, and the armed
strength of the nation is available t
bring them to book.