History-Arizona: Stubborn Molokans to be Turned Over to Military Arm for Service (1917)
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History-Arizona: Stubborn Molokans to be Turned Over to Military Arm for Service (1917)
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Posted: 18 Jun 2008 12:23AM GMT |
Classification: Query
STUBBORN MOLOKANS TO BE TURNED OVER TO MILITARY ARM FOR SERVICE
Unless they comply with federal selective service regulations and sign questionnaires prior to July 6, six Russian Molokans being held at the Prescott jail as “religious objectors” will be inducted into the military service of the United States. This was the announcement made by Adjt. Gen. Charles W. Harris today.
Persistent efforts to have the Russians comply with the regulations have failed. A final attempt is now being made to show the men that they can save themselves considerable trouble by signing the questionnaires before inducting them into the military service.
According to the adjutant General, the matter has been fully explained to them and their status described. They have been given every opportunity to comply with the regulations and, it is stated, even their own people have pleaded with them to observe the laws.
In communications addressed to the adjutant general, however, the men claim that their only reason for not signing the questionnaires is their religion and “faith in the Holy Spirti.”
“The Holy Spirit told us not to sign our names on any kind of paper that pertains to war,” wrote the Molokans at one time. “We are following the spirit because he will guide us safely through our troubles.” This letter was signed the “Six of Us”, whose names are John Kulikoff, Morris Shubin, Fred Uren, Ivan Susoeff, Andrew Shubin and Jake Conovaloff.
These six men were sentenced to serve a period of one year at the Prescott jail in June, 1917, because they refused to register under the selective service law. Twenty-six others were also sentenced at the same time, but secured their release several weeks ago when they signed the questionnaires.
In discussing the situation today, Col. Harris explained that the men would automatically become soldiers upon the expiration of the 10-day limit. At that time, he stated, they will be inducted into the military service and turned over to the proper authorities. Should they refuse to observe military regulations they will be dealt with by the military authorities.
A similar case recently took place in Kansas, it is stated, where religious objectors refused to observe the regulations. After being inducted into service, they refused to do work prescribed for them. They were court marshaled and sentenced to serve life terms. These sentences were later commuted to 25 years in the federal penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth.
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Clipping from newspaper, date and source unknown, during World War I, perhaps Prescott, Arizona in 1917.
Transcribed from a typed copy, received from Fae (Papin) Veronin by Nancy (Poppin) Posey, June 30, 2007
Unless they comply with federal selective service regulations and sign questionnaires prior to July 6, six Russian Molokans being held at the Prescott jail as “religious objectors” will be inducted into the military service of the United States. This was the announcement made by Adjt. Gen. Charles W. Harris today.
Persistent efforts to have the Russians comply with the regulations have failed. A final attempt is now being made to show the men that they can save themselves considerable trouble by signing the questionnaires before inducting them into the military service.
According to the adjutant General, the matter has been fully explained to them and their status described. They have been given every opportunity to comply with the regulations and, it is stated, even their own people have pleaded with them to observe the laws.
In communications addressed to the adjutant general, however, the men claim that their only reason for not signing the questionnaires is their religion and “faith in the Holy Spirti.”
“The Holy Spirit told us not to sign our names on any kind of paper that pertains to war,” wrote the Molokans at one time. “We are following the spirit because he will guide us safely through our troubles.” This letter was signed the “Six of Us”, whose names are John Kulikoff, Morris Shubin, Fred Uren, Ivan Susoeff, Andrew Shubin and Jake Conovaloff.
These six men were sentenced to serve a period of one year at the Prescott jail in June, 1917, because they refused to register under the selective service law. Twenty-six others were also sentenced at the same time, but secured their release several weeks ago when they signed the questionnaires.
In discussing the situation today, Col. Harris explained that the men would automatically become soldiers upon the expiration of the 10-day limit. At that time, he stated, they will be inducted into the military service and turned over to the proper authorities. Should they refuse to observe military regulations they will be dealt with by the military authorities.
A similar case recently took place in Kansas, it is stated, where religious objectors refused to observe the regulations. After being inducted into service, they refused to do work prescribed for them. They were court marshaled and sentenced to serve life terms. These sentences were later commuted to 25 years in the federal penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth.
________________________________________
Clipping from newspaper, date and source unknown, during World War I, perhaps Prescott, Arizona in 1917.
Transcribed from a typed copy, received from Fae (Papin) Veronin by Nancy (Poppin) Posey, June 30, 2007