New-York tribune., 1918-01-16
Russian Sailors
Status i'm Draft
Puzzles Officials
Chief Gunner Had Taken
Out First u. S. Papers
Before Enlisting

Michael Preobrazkensky, a chief
gunner in the Russian revolutionary
navy, who has just arrived here, wants
to know how the American draft at
fects him. And, much to his amaze
ment, none of the local officials seems
to be able to inform him.
Ordinarily, an official in the navy
of friendly power would not have
to worry about this point, but Michael
is not an ordinary man, nor is his
fatherland an ordinary nation. Michael
wears civilian clothing, because, he ex
planned, Russia dropped the uniform
as compulsory form Of dress for men
of his rank shortly after she dropped d
the Gear. Therefore, it would be diff
cult for policeman who might sus-
pcct he was a "slacker" to know that
he is fighting man, he feels
In 1914 Michael migrated from a
little town in the region of Russia
where the Cossacks live to Savannah,
ga Almost Immediately he asserted
his personal belligerency by cnlisting
in the United States Coast Guard. At
the suggestion of the recruiting officer
'SN'A
Before the year was over he -accived
an honorable discharge because his
vision became defective. Then he en-
tered the United States Auxiliary. and
was discharged. He attempted to en-
list again in the Coast Guard, but un-
successfully, he says.
Returned to Russia
Finally the revolution came Michael
nnf I1oo {c
the navy last April. He was assigned
10 the steamship Rogdai, and made sew
eral trips across the Atlantic. The
ship left him at Sydney, Nova Scotia.
and ordered him to report to New York
to await orders He may be mere in
definitely, he feels. and yesterday a
friend Of his suggested that he might
be drafted in the National Army be-
cause he is a declarant.
Preobrazkcnsky inquired of the
members of Local Board l03 whether
he was obliged to register. as he falls
within the draft age The case was
unprecedented. He was referred to
the office of the adjutant general. OFF.
Gals there were uncertain Of his status
and have placed the decision sauarclv
before the office of Provost Marshal
General Crowdcr at Washington.
Henry ". Taft, chairman of the
Legal Advisory Board of this city. cs-
t,mated yesterday that 25 per cent of
the draft registrants have not vet re-
turned their qucstionnaires. though
theoretically they should all be in the
hands OF the local boards by this time.
The reasons for the delay. he said.
are shortage of supplies, extensions
of time granted in special cases, un
intentional delinquency and wilful de-
linqucncy. AS soon as the cases of de-
liberate neglect are separated from the
others, the police will start a round
up throughout the city. it is said.
The Legal Advisory Board sent a
memorandum Of regret to the family
of Grant Notman, executive secretarv
of the Brooklyn Auxiliary, whose fu-
neral took place yesterday. an very
true sense it says, ait may be said
that his life was lost in rendering to
the country service, the value of
which in this crisis cannot be ovcrcs
Jesus Martinez, Mexican Vice Con-
sui in New York, who was indicted for
of the selectivc service law.
will not be compelled to face trial. ac
cording to a decision of Judge +. $
Thomas yesterday in the Criminal
Branch of the District Court. He has
hlled a qNestionnaire