Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1917 — About One-Half Are Asking For Exemption From Service. [ARTICLE]

About One-Half Are Asking For Exemption From Service.

Washington, June 7.—Registration returns came in slowly today and tonight from Tuesday’s great military census, preventing anything approaching a conclusive estimate as to the number of men actually enrolled. An official statement today, however, said such complete returns as were at hand indicated that the -WjfiggjOOO estimate of the census bureau for the total number of men within the prescribed ages would not be equalled. Total figure 3 for the seven states and the District of Columbia, which had reported up to tonight, showed approximately 3-2,500 below census estimates. Should this average hold for all the states, it would mean a total decrease of about 200,000. The army, navy, marine corps and the national guard, included in the population figures, would more than offset the decrease. , ’ ~' ”~ A feature of the few complete returns is the high percentage of indicated exemptions, averaging approximately 50 per cent of the total registration. Officials pointed out, however, that this did not mean actual exemptions as the indicated figures include, all married men and those in executive, judicial or legislative office. Until exemption regulations have been promulgated, 't will be impossible to say how many of these will be included in those to be marked off tiie military rolls. ■ ~ The one conclusive result <rf the registration that cannot be alteredJK any variation from the estimates is that the millions of young Americans have put in their names, claiming no exemption and stating no reason for release from war service.