Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-08-05
Every Arm of Government Will Be Used to Run
 Down Absentees.
DISSIPATION WILL
 BE FORMAL CHARGE
Continued Absenting of Himself By Any Registered Man Will Result in Filing of Serious Charge, the
 Penalty for Which Is Death.

Washington, Aug. 4.-Men who re- sist the draft law face military court martial for desertion and the possi- 1 bllity of execution for desertion in time of war. The whole military and civil powers of the federal govern ment, the states, the cities and the counties will be employed to bring them to book
 l This was announced in a formal statement tonight by Brigadier Gen eral Crowder, provost marshal gen. eral, in response to reports from North Carolina, Georgia, and Okla homa of anti-draft disturbances. As yet, the power of the federal government has ¬ aeen invoked by the governors nor by agents of the de- partment of justice. The only off, cial notices received at Washington of the disturbances was telegram from the governor of North Carolina saying that the men i.. two townships might resist in a body, the draft law. No official word came from Okla hOma, where the most serious situ- ation prevails. 1t was believed the governor in his official capacity and as the direct agent of the president In the draft law system, Is confident that order can be restored without mili- tary aid. There will be no hesitation in employing federal troops, however, if they are needed.
 To Draft Resisters.
 Registered men who do not appear for examination will be posted to the district board as selected for military service as soon as the five day per- iod allowed them to report has elaps- ed. Two days more will elapse after their names reach the district board to await appeal. They will then be posted to the state adjutant general.
 Orders for the mobilization of the selected men will be given some time during the present month. If the register fails to obey that order, he will be set down as absent without leave, and the machinery of the army will be set in motion to bring him in, and in addition, all state and mu- nicipal authorities and all the United States marshals will be used to ap- prehend him.
 When it is clear that he is wilfully absenting himself charge of deser- tion will be placed against him. From that time, a reward of $50 will be paid for his capture.
 A charge of desertion in time of war will be placed against him, and only the clemency of the president can save him from the penalty of the courtmartial which will try his case.
 Believes Registers Deluded.
 General Crowder believes the reg i9ters are acting under delusiOn, fOs- tered by agitators, that they are con- ducting a political campaign against the draft, whereas tle time for that passed when the registration was completed. The government takes no interest in their proceedings. unless they fail to report when their compan- ies are called.
 Thirteen army officers will pass on the cases of the 1ren when they are brought to book, and the armed strength of the nation Is available to bring them to book.
 Persons resisting the draft law whether in Oklahoma or elsewhere will be sought out, run down and brought before the proper authorities, no matter at what cost.
 Provost Marshal General CrOwder and Assistant Attorney General t1tts. in charge of the enforcement of the draft law, conferred ct length today as to steps to be taken to check any draft agitators in North Carolina. Georgia and Oklahoma, and other lo- calities.
 MT. Fits, in the absence of Attorney General Gregory, iss ,ed the following statement:
 "Whether in Oklahoma or anywhere else, if persons who are regularly selected for military service under the selective soldiers act. fail to obey when properly notified and called. they will be reached and overtaken by the strong arm of the federal law and brought before proper registra- tion boards"