Evening journal., 1918-07-09
CAMP DIX PRIVATE
IS GIVEN Is YEARS
Connolly Refused to Obey
Officer and Wear the
u. S. Uniform
CLAIMED CITIZEN
IN IRISH REPUBLIC

CAMP DIN, MTlSulStOWu, n. D., July
9-Private Patrick p. Connolly, the
first Sim Fein objector tried before
an American court-martlal for refusal
10 don the uniform Of the United
States army, has been sentenced by the
general court martial board at Camp
Dix 10 Is years confinement at hard
labor at Fort Jay with forfeiture OF all
nav and allowances with dlshonOrable
discharge from the services at the end
of his term. The case has been at
tracing wide interest in military cir
cles, as Connolly was defended by VII
liaf Francis Doyle, the international
lawyer, who was counsel for Sir Roger
Easement, condemned TO death for trea-
son in connection with German plots
in ireland. Major General Scott has
approved the court martial findings and
the prisoner will begin his term at
once.
Connolly was called in the November
draft from Camden, where he lived at
No. 1913 Broadway, and conducted a
tailor shop. He was attached to the
18th Company Of the i53d Depot Brig
ade, where he actually began training
and was uniformed. Soon after get
ting his uniform, however, he left camp
returned 10 Camden, dOnned civilian
clothes and asked the local board for
exemption on the ground OF depend
ents. The board, unconscious Of the
fact that they had already sent Con-
molly to camp, granted the exemption,
but Immediately rescinded this action
when they learned that he was in the
service.
Connolly was apprehended and
brought back to camp. At the time
there was much comment over the fact
that he had claimed he was a citizen
OF the Irish Republic" and hence not
liable TO draft. The charge on which
he was tried and found guilty by tbs
court martial, however, was that he re-
fused 10 obey a command OF his SUI
perlor officer, Captain Harold E. Ken
yon, to report for fatigue duty and a
subsequent order from the same officer
10 wear L. {. army uniform.
For expressing the wish that the Ger
mans might sink all OF the troop ships
going TO France, and other sentiments
TO that effect, ito the prejudice OF
good order and military discipline" "
Private Nicholas Hitzges, a cook for
the medical detachment at the base
hospital, has been given 10 year sen
ience by the general court martial.
Hltzges came from Buffalo last sep
tember and although OF German par
entsge. had been regarded as g0od
soldier until about the time the Hun
U-boats began their attacks on mer-
chant vessels of the Amerlvan coast.
Hitzges apparently became suddenly en-
thused and made the seditious state
ments 10 fellow soldiers which led TO
his arrest and conviction.
Major General Scott has selected a
site adjoining the Y. NJ. c. A. Hostess
House for the Players House, TO be
erected for the accommodation OF en-
tertainers compelled to remain In the
cantonment overnight. The building
Will contain 20, bedrooms, dormitory,
livingroom and'kitchen.
Captain Francis J. Powers has been
transferred from the base hospital to
the staff OF Evacuation Hospital No.
70. organizing here. Sergeant John r..
Wood has won a commission as sec
and lieutenant through expert work in
directing and handling and care OF AMI
mails at the Hemount Depot.
Field problems that might follow a
successful attack on enemies lines are
10 be worked out this week by the OF
ficers OF the s7th Division as an after
math OF the battle" waged in force
last week on the artillery ranse when
infantry brigades advanced over a wide
front under a creeping harrage OF real
shells. Major General Sturgls has
planned an intricate machine gun prob
lem as a test for tomorrow afternoon
when thousands Of rounds OF ammuni-
ton will be fred at suppositional en-
emy forces.
There will be demonstration trench
raids by battalions later In the week
10 be followed by maneuvers Of forces
sent out to keep in contact with a re-
treating enemy, the entire series Of
field movements being intended as al
,est OF the skill OF officers in handling
troops under all conditions.