Evening star., 1932-10-06
STUDENTS TO FIGHT
SUSPENSION ED|CT
win Carry Military Training
Controversy Before Mary
land U. Regents.

Having been suspended from the
University of Maryland last night be-
cause they refused to take military
training. two students today We're pre-
pairing to present their case at the next
meeting of the board of regents
The ousted students. WAYNE Lees;
3430 Mount Pleasant street mere. ana
Ennis Coale of Bel Air, Md, have been
dropped from the rolls Of the University
until such time as they agree TO ABIDE
by its regulations" according to an an
nouncement by DR.. Raymond A. Pear
son, president.
Both Lees and Coale were attending
classes at the university this morning.
although they had received notice OF
their suspension.
Lees announced he intended to con-
tinue his academic pursuits. although
he realizes no official cogrlZance is taken
OF his presence IN the class room. he
cannot receive q diploma and MS name
has been stricken from the undergrad
uate roll
Brief to Be Presented.
He expressed the opinion the Suspen-
sion vas not really intended" as he
had understood that brief, presenting
his objections to military training. was
to be presented to the board of regents
BY Dr. Pearson tomorrow. Lees SAID MS
case i.ad been almost completed ana ne
was arspared to turn It over TO Or
PearS24
When told Of this fact, Dr. Pearson
said he had no intention of putting the
case before the board of regents. Inc
suspension of Lees and Cole is final. ne
stated. AS to the possibility the sus-
pended students would attempt to con-
tinue attendance in classes. DR.. pearson
said this problem had never before con-
fronted him, but ne would deal with
it as circumstances required.
Explains Position.
Asked why he had submitted to mill
tary training for one year and then
refused at the beginning of his sopho-
mere term to continue, Lees attributed
his first mistake" TO adolescence he
sid when ne first came Go the uni
yersity he had never thought about
life" but after talking with some OF
the undergraduate thinkers ne decloed
he did not want to go TO war, or even
learn to bear arms. The young eX-
sonhomore admitted he had beeh OF
fered a chance TO participate IN the
military drill, the setting-up exercises
connected with It, and the course III
military theory without carrying rlle
or learning anything whatsoever apout
the use of firearms.
College officials explained THIS course
had been adopted III past cases Where
students. because Of religious scrupleS'
had objected to dealing with rifles. ma
chine guns and light artillery. In these
instances. il was said, the CONSCIENTIOUS
obiectcrs had been allowed TO carry
guidons in drill
Will Intercede for Students.
Tucker P. Smith. executive secretary
of the Ccmrqitee on Militarism IN ECU
cation. a New York organization 70
abolish compulsory military training ID
schools interceced on benaH OF tne
two students several days ago and IS ex-
pected TO appear for them when. the
rerents meet. The regents alone have
mower to change the university reguta-
ton recurring all ablebodled men,
freshman and sophomore students, 10
take military training. -.
Lees is a sophomore who took MILL
tary training last year, but began y
.,think it over" during the Summer and
decided not TO take the course TINS FAN
CcaIe. a freshman, said that II ne
were unable to attend the comparatiVely
inexpensive State university, MS school
days probably would be over. he oe-
ciared he is opposed to war ana ooes
not want to train for 1t.
Part Of Course for so Years.
In his formal statement, DR.. Pearson
pointec out that for nearly % years
military drill at the College Park prancn
of the university has been compulsory
for all able-Dodied men, freshmen ana
sophorlo.eS. ,or,,
includes no obligation to bear arms even
II defense of the country, and does
rot REQUIRE an oath Of allegiance, ne
said.
The presidents stassment revealed
that possible legal and legislative threats
we're mentioned by Mr. Smith IN
conference with him several days ago
if the university refused 10 exempt the
two students from the military course.
Mr.. Smith stated he already mao
taken the matter up with firm OF Jaw
yers and had the newspapers waiting
for the story" the presidents announce
ment said He also stated that ne
knew something Of the difficulties en-
countered BY state universities IN get
ting appropriations and tntimated that
he might take the matter to the Leg
islature.
President Awaits Reply.
"Mr. Smith left the office after our
conference with the assurance that ne
would discuss the matter with the two
boys and advise me of the decision
Since then 1 have purposely avoided
taking any action in order to give Mr..
Smith the opportunity TO present ms
case in a regular way.
so far, Mr.. Smith has not done me
the courtesy of reply, but inasmuch
as Inquiries have begun to come from
several newspapers, I assume Mr.. Smith
is trying to put into effect at least a
part OF his implied threat.
Irrespective Of what action the uni
versity may in the future take in regard
to its present policy. we are unable to
submit to the present situation. There
fore. I am advising the two students in
question that they are suspended from
the university until such time as they
agree to abide by its regulations"