Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-10
The Country'S Fine Response
To the SeIeCtive Draft Law.

For the few individuals here and there who
are trying, without valid reason. to evade their
duty under the Selective Draft tens of thousands
of young Americans responding Loyalty and
eagerly to the country's needs; and so have they
been responding from the day the United States
entered the war Official figures, recently COM
piled by the New York Times, show that since
April l more than million seven hundred and
fifty thousand men have volunteered for service
in the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps, a
monthly average of about four hundred and thirty
four thousand. Numbers of these, it is true, were
rejected because of some physical defect, often
times a very slight one as civilian standards go;
but the reflections, however numerous, in nowlse
dim the splendid significance of the almost two
million volunteer applications. The United States
now has under arms considerably more than eight
hundred thousand These have been re-
cruited, it should be observed, without emotional
fanfare. They have enlisted quietly. knowing that
the country needed them and resolved to do their
duty.
In that same spirit and with equal loyalty hun
dreds of thousands of young men now are an
swering the nations call under the Seective Serv-
ice law. Some seek exemption who are not
entitled to it. but the great majority of the able
bodied are either ready to serve or have real re-
sponsibilities for which they are morally bound to
ask exemption. The operation of the Selective
Draft, taken the country over, is proving superb
success and is revealing amongst the rank and file
of the people spirit of high and thoughtful pa
triotism Let no one be troubled at what appears in
some instances to be rather numerous requests for
exemption Most of those requests are honestly
made and we'll founded. The law contemplated
just such cases and provided for them by making
the draft SELECTIVE The Government authori-
ties will not be deceived by the sackers pretenses
but neither will they hesitate to exempt the reg
istered man who has real need of exemption; and
such a man will be none the less patriot because
he is morally compelled to stay at home and work
instead of free to join the shining ranks of those
who fight for their country.
The Kaiser's friends counted upon the Seective
Draft law breaking down under actual test. By
hook or crook, they did all they could to bring 1t
into disfavor and resistance. They expected the
American people to be such fools and cravens as
to abandon the one system of raising an army that
competent judges approved and the only capa-
BILE of putting the nation on an efficient fighting
basis But the peoples verdict has disappointed
the Kaser's friends. just the peoples army will
defeat the Kaiser's legions and put everlasting
end to his plots against the worlds peace and free
dom. Here and there, it is true, few misguided
persons for the most part victims of crafty agita
tors oppose the Seective Service and its opera
ton. But they will learn, or else be taught by
that stern teacher, experience, that the nations
will the peoples will, is bent infexiby upon win
ming this war for American security and is not to
be trifled with by German schemers or German
dupes Meanwhile the business of selecting the
new army goes steadily forward. BY winter, our
armed forces will number not fewer than one and
a half million men, And many million more as
may be needed will come forward, as Americans
always have come the call of freedom and right.