Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-11
Nv CARTER BROOKE JONES.

NhN1 XIV DAsOoAN1
The legal division at national Sc
lective service headquarters has its
perplexities. For instance:
The Seneca Indians, who live near
Buffalo, N. Y, declared they were
exempt from the draft under an
ancient treaty with the United
States recognizing their tribe as an
independent nation.
In 1917, 1t was recalled. the Sem
ecas. sympathetic with the United
States against Germany, met in
tribal council and passed their own
declaration Of war against the
Kaiser's government. And many
young braves offered their services.
But when it comes to being drafted
that's another story.
Mai. Edward S. Shattuck, head OF
the selective service legal division,
explained that he had started a
member Of his staff busting of the
records Of the Indian Bureau and
finding out what the old treaty was
all about.
Must Register Anyway.
But the Indians, he pointed out,
will have to register in any event.
If the treaty making them a sep
arate nation still is valid, then they
are resident aliens, and, as such,
subject to registration.
If the treaty Is not in force, they
are American citizens and entitled
to all rights hereunder, including
that Of being indicted into the
armed forces of the country.
However, the legal staff is not
inclined to think highly of the
validity of this and other old
treaties affecting the status of In
dians.
There might have been some
question prior to June 2, 1924" Maj.
Shattuck explained But on that
date Congress made all Indians
born in the United States full citi-
zens, and my opinion is that all
those within the draft age III to
36) are subject to the selective
service law
VVtDdh ASdh
The legal adviser of the Wash
;ngton Redskins, professional foot
@all team, asked if all~the players
lad to be sent to their homes
catered from the Eastern Sea-
BOARD to the High Sierras-for reg
istration OH October 16.
They need not miss practice,
Mai Shattuck told him. They can
I'll register here or anywhere on
the road Just so they register.
Their registration cards will be
mailed to their home Draft Boards
for classification.
Asked whether the law would
permit more than one registration
day and consequent national lot
terry during the five years of its
tenure. Maj. Shattuck said there
could be 8 new registration and
lottery every year If the executive
authorities so decided.
One piece Of advice which Maj.
Shattuck gave through the press
was:
In ease of doubt-in other words,
where your exact liability to regis
tration may be a border line case
register. It's better to be on the
safe side, and your status can be
figured out by the local or Appeal
Board later.
Importance Of Address.
Maj Shattuck pointed out that
registration must be made at the
registration place of the locality in
which the registrant resides cor hap
pens to be between the hours of
Tam and pm" Thus, if it is not
convenient for registrant to go to
the school or polling place nearest
his home, he may carry out the
formality at the registration BOOTH
nearest his business or at some
other which may prove convenient.
Emphasizing the Importance OF
giving an address where the regis
trant can be reached promptly, Maj.
Shattuck said this provision was
made to protect those registering.
He added:
1T is apparent that registrants
must maintain close contact with
their local boards, following registra-
ton. in order that they may be adj
vised Of any action affecting them
that is taken by their boards. Other
wise. because Of delay in the mails
or some other factor, registrants
might fail to receive essential no
tees. and failing to respond might
lie considered delinquent.