Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-07
ALIENS WELCOME
IN NNAT|ONAL. ARMY
It's Ranks Are Thrown Open to
Friendly Foreigners Who
Wish to Serve.
WAIVE EXEMPTION RIGHTS
Instructions Sent by General
Crowder in kilograms to
Governors.
IBy Associated Press. ]


WASHINGTON. August G.-Thc ranks
OF the new national army were opened
formally to-day to friendly aliens as
volunteers. a ruling by Provost Mar
shal-General Crowder, communcat ted
10 tho local selection boards, directs
that all such aliens who waive their
right of exemption on nationality be
promptly accepted for service.
General Crowdcr sent this telegram
10 the Governors.
'Re ports reaching this Office recent
ly indicate that in some quarters the
belief prevails that friendly aliens, who
nave not declared their intention TO
become citizens. but arc ready and will
ing TO serve, arc disqualified from en-
ter!ug the military service Of :he Cpit
ed States. and therefore that they must
take out first papers before they can
be accepted. The selective service act
provided for their registration; but il
did not regard them being under
any liability to serve. and il therefore
gave them full liberty to claim cxcmp-
;ion when called by local boards. Now
that information reveals their willing
ness in large numbers to decline this
exemption and TO accept service in this
civilization. IT should be fully under
stood that their service is heartily
welcomed, and they should be accepted
whenever upon summons. they fail to
claim their right OF exemption.
WILL BE ASSISTING CAUSE
OF THEIR own COUNTRY
They are assisting the cause OF their
own country by aiding the United
States TO triumph in this war The
more 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 population
including aliens. the actual draft reach :
ed only citizens and declarants."
General Crowder's Office also issued
instructions to guide registered me-,
who are either at officers training
camps or who have applied for adn,is-
sion to tho second series OF these camps
which viii open their mouth. There has
been considerable question in the minds
of these men as TO how they should
proceed.
The instructions 10 local boards
direct that where candidate at a
training camp is called by his loca |
board for physical examination. he may
procure certificate from his com
manding officer showing that he has
been examined. and file that with the
board instead OF making personal ap-
pearance in response to the summons.
The hoard Will thereafter treat him as
found qualified for service. unless ap-
plication of exemption is filed subse-
qucntly in his behalf.
MUST HAVE CERTIFICATE:
OF COMMANDING OFFICER
II the candidate wins a commission
a. The camp after he has becn called
by the board for examination. hut be-
fore he is actually drafted, he is re-
qured 10 furnish certificate from
his commanding officer showing his
appointment. The State adjutant-
gene. al then will credit the board with
one drafted man.
II the candidate is not commissioned
before his local board calls him for
military duty. he must report TO the
board. unless the War Department
shall have ordered him TO duty at the
training camp. in which event credit
will be given the board involved on
its quota under the draft.
Where the candidate has been com
TllSSlpHtu pelDTe he is calle0 DN III g
board. he is required to file certificates
showing his status and also an ap-
plication for exemption on the ground
that he is already in the military SER
vice.
There was some discussion to-day as
to the status OF divorced men who are
paying alimony. 1T has been suggest ed
that in some cases the former wives Of
such men are solely dependent upon
the alimony payments and the removal
OF the men will work hardship upon
them. IT is regarded as probable that
IL the question is raised. the same rule
that applies to all other discharges
for dependents would fit the case If
tho SIS month which a soldier can
spare from his salary will provide ade-
quatcly for his home responsibilities,
he will not be released from military
service, so each case must be con-
sdered on its merits.