The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-05-28
ALVIN G. YORK WAS NOT
CONSCIENTIOUS DIRECTOR
When He Learned What Germany Had
Done, Religion Did Not Interfere.

DoHe, IellBlOn Dlu NOL lnterIeTe.
Everybody has been reading about
Alvin G. York, greatest individual hero
Of the world war, since his arrival in
New York on Thursday. In fact, a
good many people read about him sew
eral weeks ago in an article written
by George Patullo and published in the
Saturday Evening Post. The story be-
low from The New York Times gives
new angle to the Tennessee noun
taineer and at the same time corrects
an error-York was not conscien-
ttous objector. He didn't know why
the war was being fought, but when
shown that Germany was guilty Of
much devilment he understood and
his religion did not get in the way.
Here is the story from The Times:
Sergeant Alvin G. York, the Tennes-
see woodsman who won the Congress
sional Medal Of Honor and the per-
sonal commentator Of General Persh-
ing for his exploit Of killing 25 Ger
mans, capturing 1872, and putting 35
machine guns out OF commission on
Oct. 8, arrived in New York yesterday
on the transport Ohioan to find him
self the centre of cheering and admir-
ing crowds.
From the moment he was spicd by
members Of the Tennessee Society who
went down the bay to meet him until
he retired last night in the de luxe
suite Of leading hotel, the big, red
haired, freckled-faccd blue-cyed Ten
ncssean received series Of ovations
which. to quote him, plumb scared
me to death"
When the OhiOan dOckcd at Ho-
bokcn, Scrst. York, who by reason of
his Congressional Medal is entitled to
the salutcs of all officers, was escorted
from the ship to the dock, where DR.. J.
j. kinf. President Of the Tennessee So
cicty; E. \. Kellogg, Chairman of the
York Welcoming Committee; J. G.
Lavender. and score Of other mem
bcrs Of the society extended to him
welcome.
eve have obtained 4 ivc-day fur
lough for YOU, and you are to be our
guest DR.. Kinf said, while York's
comrades in the 32Sth Infantry gave
him q series OF cheers.
York. blushing until his face was al
most as rcd as his hair, tried to duck
away but found it impossible to break
through the crowd which surrounded
him. He admitted that at one time, he
had been the champion wild turkey
shooter Of his county, but was modest
about his more recent achievements.
Only by persistent questioning could
he be induced to talk. He denied he
was n conscientious objcctor when as
second elder Of the Church Of Christ
and Christian Union, he had been
drafted into the army.
81 didn't know why ! had been
jerkcd from my home and put into a
uniform" he said. 'If you go into a
thing, YOU ought to know what it is
all about. When they took me to Camp
Upton and told me was going to fight
this man Kaiser, 1t didn't mean any
thing to me at all.
conc day I was taken to hcadquar-
tcrs and an officer told me the pastor
Of my church in Pail Mall, Tenn, had
written, asking for my release because
was a conscientious Objcctor. | was
asked IL I objected to fighting. I an
swcred no, that's what I'm here for.
But wish you would tell nc what this
war is about Lieut.. Col Buxton and
Capt. Garner talked to me and told me
the things the Germans had done to
other nations and to us. When they
finished told them | couldn't see how
anybody who wanted peace in the
world could do anything but fight"
"How do you feel in your mind about
killing twenty-five Germans" he was
asked.
"My conscience Is clear. The blame
is on the Germans for starting this
war"
When told that some OF his com.
rades, who returned several days ago
had criticised the award Of the Con
gressional Medal to him, he smiled
and said:
"Sure 'nough? Well those mer
whose names you mentioned all made
ahidavits with other soldiers to Lieut.
Col. Buxton that 7 had done all tn,