El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-09-09
MEXICANS NOT
To Be DRAF TED
Beware of German Propa-
danda, Says Gen. Hol-
brook in Proclamation.

With the purpose OF enabling all
Mexicans to clearly understand the
policy Of the United States govern
ment in the registration Of all men be-
tween the ages OF IS and IS years, ex-
cept those between q and 81 already
registered. on Thursday, Sept. u, Maj.
Gen. Willard a. Holbrook, at san An
tonic. Tex, department commander,
has addressed a printed proclamation
10 Mexican citizens residing in New
Mexico. Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas.
declaring that German propagandists
are responsible for the false. baseless
and malicious rumors circulated
among the Mexican people along the
border that their men will be drafted.
and which has caused an exodus into
Mexico at several points OF men who
have left profitable employment and
property. Copies OF the proclamation.
received here Monday give the fol-
lowing advice;
Mexicans Not Drafted.
The selective conscription law re-
quires the registration OF all male
residents on Sept u. 1918. between
the ages Of IS and q and 81 and As.
ResIstrntiOn, however. is not con-
"Rumors that Mexican citizens will
be drafted are false. This applies
likewise TO aliens OF all other coun-
tries Do not sacrifice your interests
because Of false German propaganda
Registration Is required. but that
means protection sor aliens from the
draft All that Is necessary for a
Mexican citizen TO do to secure exemp-
tion is to establish bis Mexican citi-
zenship. Officials. attorneys and other
patriotic citizens will assist those
a.
language TO prepare their question
aires in which their claim for exemp-
ton viii be properly set out
Must Establish Birthplace.
an order TO properly establish your
Mexican citizenship, those who can
do so should have with them their
birth certificate. In the event that
this certificate IS not at hand. II is
suggested that you secure atfidavits
from two reliable witnesses concern |
ing your birth place or such other evil
dence as is available. Citizenship can
also be established by the fact that
you have been properly matriculated
at your nearest Mexican consulate.
Labor at this time is being paid
unheard Of prices. Employment is
plentiful Business conditions are
good and the country is prosperous. |
Those who remain in addition to bene- /
fitting themselves will be doing their |
bit toward winning the war against I
autocracy. II Is the desire OF the I
government to continue to extend 10 l
Mexicans all the rights and liberties l
which have heretofore influenced ]
them to come within our borders
Consult your cOnsuls, also prom ]
inent American citizens OF Mexican /
descent, when doubts arise. Consult /
your own interests and those Of your /
families and stick TO your employment |
and hold on to your property and busi- I
ness"
Consul ReaSsures sIexieans.
American consul Z A. Dow. IN /
Juarez. reminded by Americans in Fl ]
Paso Of the departure OF many MeXi- /
can citizens into their country be-
cause OF their misunderstanding OF I
the registration law. said Monday /
morning that the policy OF the gov
eminent is clear: that no citizen OF /
Mexico is to be taken into the Ameri- ]
can army. but that all those here
on Thursday will be required to reg
lister at their respective precinct
places.
Every man between the ages OF IS /
and IS inclusive, who has not already ]
must register on sept u, 4
regardless Of his nationality, but ciu- /
zens OF a neutral country cannot be ]
drafted and need have no fear OF the /
draft.' he said. Even citizens Of a /
neutral country who have taken out /
their first papers IN the United states, !
can withdraw these papers II they I
choose and thus avoid the draft Such 4
action bars them from become citi-
zens Of the United States in future. /
but excuses them from the draft
IF citizns Of Spain and Mexico are
fleeing from the United states under
the belief that they will be drafted
and sent into the army, this IS a mis-
take. they are safe from the uraIl
II they are not citizens Of the United