Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 261, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1918 — OBJECTOR SOON CHANGED MIND [ARTICLE]

OBJECTOR SOON CHANGED MIND

Camb Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C. —Among the Maryland draft men sent here some weeks ago was a chap from Baltimore who claimed exemption from military service on the ground that he was a conscientious objector of war. His name will not be irade public, for it has developed that he belongs to a good family. He was placed in Casual detachment for observation, and the machinery of the intelligence department was put to work to learn something as to his antecedents. 1 A few days later a tall, grim-look-ing man appeared in camp and asked where the conscientious objector could be found. He was directed to the casual detachment, and there intro-

dnced himself to the commanding officer as a brother of the soldier in Question and asked permission to have a talk with him. The permission was granted, and he went to his brother’s quarters. Part of the conversation was overheard, and those who heard it say it was heated, although onesided. Brother Said Something. “You yellow cur,” exclaimed the visiting brother. “We are all ashamed of you at home, but you are going to do a man’s part in this war. Mother told me to come down here and make you Withdraw that fool conscientious objector claim, and if you don’t do it I am going to beat you to death right here in this camp, What possessed you anyway?” There was a good deal more of the same kind. At the end of about an hour the two brothers went before Major Coffin, the personnel officer. “Major,” said the visitor, “my brother wants to withdraw the affidavit about being a conscientious objector. Can he do it?” “Well,” replied Major Coffin, "it must be a•voluntary act on his part.” Ano, turning to the soldier, who had made the claim, he asked: “Do you want to do this voluntarily. Is It Qf your own free will?” The soldier moistened his Ups and glanced at his brother, and replied: “Yes, sir, it is of my own free will, and I want to withdraw it.” Is Now Making Good. Major Coffin found the affidavit and tore it up, and then issued an order transferring the soldier to an active regiment, and the soldier left. After he had gone the visitor turned to Major Coffin and said: “Major, I thank you. I had determined there would be no yellow curs fn my family, ajhd if that boy hadn’t withdrawn that affidavit I would have beaten him up right here. But I’m glad he did it of his own free will.” The soldier who thought he was a conscientious objector has been making good ever since the visit of his brother. He seems, in fact, to be more afraid of his brother than of the. Germans, and those who have been watching him are of the opinion that he'will make a very good fighting man.