Evening journal., 1918-07-12
SOLDIER rule
PUT UP TO States
Election Laws Must Be
Amended to Conform TO
Military Regulations
GOVERNMENT
WILL ASSIST

WASHINGTON. July i2.-The official
regulations to govern the taking OF the
soldier vote in the training camps in
thk country and IN the American ex-
pcditionary forces, announced by Ma
1or General Henry p. Mccain, adjutant
general OF the army, impose virtually
the entire burden of the collection OF
the votes upon the States and urge
that State collection laws be amended
to conform TO the military regulations.
Although the War Department prom
ises TO render every possible assistance
TO election commissions appointed TO
poll the soldier vote, the restriction is
imposed that such assistance VIII be
given "only when compatible with the
exigencies OF the military service" and,
the regulations add, "in most Instances
1t viii be impractcable 10 permit COM
MISSIONS to take the votes"
This restriction, II was explained, is
necessary to prevent the confusion
which II is believed would result from
the movements of commissions from
all or majority Of the States among
the soldiers In Europe. II large num-
Der OF such commissions were sent to
France. War Department officials said,
they would be Obliged to travel up and
down the battleline and necessarily
would hamper military operations.
The chief point made by the adjutant
general In announcing the regulations
was that the States should. as far as
possible, amend their election laws
governing the soldier vote to conform
with the War Department regulations.
The military authorities, II was stated,
realize the Importance OF the right
Of suffrage Of more than 100000 citi-
zens, but they hold that only the sim
plest form OF voting Is practicable IN |
der military conditions as they exist
In France.
Under the laws OF the States as they /
now stand 1t VIII be practicable for
only few Of the States to obtain the
votes Of their citizens in the military
service. The Mississippi system, which |
permits voting by mail, It Is held, lends |
itself most readily to compliance with |
the War Department regulations; but
even in this instance tho regulations
provide that "vote letters are TO be
subject TO military censorship and are
TO be opened, just as other correspon-
dence Is
Tho regulations follow:
"Flrst. The War Department Will
not be responsible for obtaining votes,
but Will assist wherever possible with
out interfering with military duties.
"Second. II VIII not be possible TO
take tho votes OF soldiers actually on
Gagged In military operations unless the
soldier can cast his vote by transmit
ling an executive ballot through the
malls as ordinary correspondence.
Third. In no case VIII tho War De-
partment furnish TO States or election
officials lists OF persons who have en-
Tered the military service from such |
States. Neither can the War Depart |
ment undertake 30 forward blank bal
lots or other election forms or litera-
sure which may be addressed TO soldiers
IN service. However. when qualified
voters of certain State are known TO
DO IN the military service as members
Df q certain organization. but the Or
yanizationsi address is unknown, the 1
War Department VIII furnish such ad-
iress upon receipt Of a request there
or from the State or an election official !
hereof.
Fourth. Tho censorship now i'm
'osed upon every letter coming out Of
rance cannot be waived In favor OF
nailed votes.
Fifth. Where State laws require !
hat oaths be administered and certif-
Ictes made IN order to validate the
'otes, officers Will be permitted, but
Tot required, TO administer such oaths
md make such certificates; provided,
hat this will be In no way interfere
With active military operations.
sixth. Where the state laws require
the sending Of election commissioners
10 take the soldiers votes the military
will place at the disposal OF
such commissioners every assistance
that is found compatible with the exi-
gencies OF the military situation. In
most instances, however. it viii be Inn
practicable to permit commissioners to
take the votes"
Engineers, metal workers. clerks and
drivers will find positions by seeking