The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-02
ROUND Up GERMANS.
SETS DATE Fol,
REGISTRATION.
Half Million UnnatnraliZcd TcutOns
Required to Comply With Prcsi-
dents Proclamation.

| or February was set aside by the
department of justice for registra-
ton Of the half million unnaturalized
Germans in continental United States
by police and postmasters in pursu-
ance of President Wilson'S alien enc
my proclamation directing this action
as a means Of minimizing the danger
from enemy sympathizers in the Unit
ed States.
Earlier plans for administering the
registration in the Eastern cities first
and gradually extending it to the en-
tire country were abandoned because
of the fear that some Germans might
avoid registration by moving from
district to district
Registration will involve the gath
ering of detailed information concern
ing the business. relatives and habits
Of every German, together with his
photograph and finger prints.
After registering he must carry
certificate card and may not change
his place of residence without APP
Violation of the regulations will be
punishable by internment for the war.
| The orders do not apply to Ger
man women nor to any persons under
IA years of age, because these are
not classed as alien enemies by law
Subjects of Austria Hungary are not
required to register.
In announcing the regulations to-
day the department of justice took
care to avoid creating the impression
that the government looks on each
German with suspicion.
Registrars are not to be treated
as persons of evil disposition" said
instructions to registrars, land the
registration officers are urged to deal
with them in courteous and friend
ly manner"
Police, federal marshals and agents
and postal authorities are expected to
cooperate in the roundup during reg
istration week and to investigate and
check up eacli fact reported by the
registrants. Certificate cards will be
issued only after a complete verifica-
ton is made.
The information obtained will be of
distinct value 70 officials in running
down enemy plots and propaganda
and in discovering what Germans
bear close watching. The task will be
great in cities where the German
population is large and newspapers,
and citizens will be asked to assist.
In cities Of 5000 or more popula-
ton recorded by the 1910 census,
list Of which is issued by the depart
ment of justice, the chief of police
and his assistants will administer the
registration. In smaller communi-
ties and rural districts registration
will be conducted by the postmasters,
and the postmaster Of the largest Of
fee in the local judicial district, in
most States the equivalent of a coun-
ty, will be the chief registrants of
ficer to gather reports Of the others
and forward them to the United States
marshal and the department of jus
tice. In most cities the work will be
done by precincts.
Every German is required to so to
the registrar and make out triplicate
ffidvait information blanks and to
furnish four photographs of himself
one for each affidavit and one for his
registration card. The photograph
must bear his signature, written
across the front, and must not be
larger than three inches square. 1t
must be on thin paper, and have n
| light background
The affidavit provides for record
ing name. address, age, place Of BIRTH
occupation and residences since jan
uary /, 1914, date Of arrival in the
United States, whether married,
names and ages of children, whether
the registrant has or had any male
relatives in arms against the United
states, whether registered for the
draft. military training, naturaliza-
tion conditions and similar informa-
ton. Full description of the man and
the prints of each finger must be
taken by the registrar. The regis
trant must swear to the affidavit be-
fore the registering officer.
Small postoiiices not equipped with
finger print apparatus are advised to
borrow small quantity of printers
ei and to make the impressions upon