Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-29
SENTENCE or TEN YEARS
. FOR CAMP LEE 0BJECT0R
irginian. Claiming Exemption From
Service on Religious Grounds,
Found Guilty of DcScrtion.
ZIG REVIEW FOR SATURDAY
Wore Soldiers Will March T0-Mor-
row Than There We're People in
is'chmond's' Thrift Day Parade.
-Four Thousand Horses.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. ]

Especial TO The Times Dispatch.I
CAMP LEE. March 2s-For failing
report for duty ut Camp Lee when
70 was ordered to do SO by his local
oarh, Ernest p. Wells. OF Boydton.
q. has been sentenced to ten years at
'ard labor. The sentence will be
ervcd ut Fort Jay. New York Ills
asc Is the most unusual that has yet
risen In this State through the work
nss OF the draft law.
Wells. who claims 10 be a con-
'cientious obiector Of the Christadcl-
,hian faith. was legally drafted into
he service and ordered on November
I TO report for duty at Camp Lee. by
ne local board OF Mecklcnburg County.
IN the day before he vas ordered 10
cport he appeared before his local
'oard and filed protest N writing
tating that he would not report for
Military duty because Of his religion.
lis home, and would offer no resistance
arrest. but would protest against
cling taken. lie was arrested and
'rought to Camp Ice on January z.
Brigadicr-Gcneral Lloyd NJ. Brett,
Tho as acting commanding general
eviewed the case: FIRST recited the
oregoinE facts and then said:
He is clearly willful descrter be-
ause nc knew what steps were being
AIKEN TO induct him into the service.
nd he endeavored to place himself
3 far az he could in legal position
defend his defiance of the law az 4
onscicntous director. In so doing he
made the same mistake that many
onscientious directors have made In
'lacing their own construction upon
hat portion OF the law which OK
npts them from rs!litary service cz-
ept In such capacity rs is declared by
he President TO be nonco!nbatant. Had
ave found upon reporting that the
Var Department had exercised the
reatcst patience In dealing with men
n his position. Having wiilfully de-
led the law. he has no reasons TO ex
Get treatment different from any
ther descrtcr."
| Tho court that tried Wells sentenced
lin 10 twenty years at hard labor. but
his was reduced to ten years by Gen
raj Brett
The decision has been approved By
he War Department
iEGRO WILL he TRIED
ny COURT-MARTTkI.
Daniel Cooper, negro soldier
.Eaingt whom IIcnrico County grand
ury has found a true bill for breaking
INTO the home OF Samuel Abramson. in
;outh Richmond, on November Ia. ana
tealing articles valued at SO Will be
cturued TO Camp Lee for 'ria! by
Military court. The authorities mere
cquested that the prisoner be tried by
nIli,ary authorities. The request was
:rantcd by Judge Ernest Wells, and
;uard Will he sent to return the
prisoner to camp.
Private Adrian G. Potter. OF ti'"
chool for bakers and cooks. who cut
sergeant Frank Harris OF the Same
ortpany in an ARRAY in Hopewen,
february :. was sentenced TO two
months at hard labor and a forfeiture
4 two-thirds of his pay. not already
aiken by allotment to his dependents.
In anticipation OF making an excel
cnt appearance in the divisional re-
lew which begins Saturday morning
I $50 O'Clock, the Three hundred and
;cventecnth Infantry. one OF the Nlr-
.in!a regiments. Will hold regimental
cvicw on its drill fields tomorrow
fternoon at 4:30 o'clock.
The divisional review will be the
most inspiring spectacle held in Viz
.inia since Americas entrance into tho
var. There will be more soldiers in
he review Saturday than there were
oldiers men, women and children,
who participated In R!chmond's thrift
,arads last Saturday. There are 800
,ead Of horses In the division and
hese with their mounts or drawing
arious trains. machine guns or pieces
4 artillery will pass the stand.