Speech #650169196

Of course. The argument that was made in the circular just referred to was that England ought not to treat with us. and that we ought not to treat with them to conscript their people here. because Australia twice has repidiated conscription. because under the Engli~h conscript laws the Irish are exempted. and that therefore England ought not to barter away the rights that they would have in Ireland and in Australia. But my bill says to the Australian and to the Irishman. "You are here under the Stars and Stripes. you are here enjoying the blessings of our great country. we believe that you ought to waive your right to exemption from conscription. and if you do not. you ought not to stay here among your brothers and fellows who are being called." I know many naturalized Germans and Austrians who are today following the Stars and Stripes into the trenches of France and Flanders. Before we entered the war the hearts of those people no doubt beat in sympathy with the fatherland. but the very day we declared war they said. " I al now with the country to which I swore allegiance when I became an American citizen." I know a young Jewish gentleman In my own home town. a native of Germany. who.wlien the classification for the draft was going on. said. "I have a little property from which my wife and babies can draw a support if I am called. and I shall not ask to be placed In the fourth class. but am willing to go to the second class.where men with families not dependent on them are being placed." This ie did. while Italians and Englishmen all around him were claiming exemptions from the draft. and refusing to fight for the very existence of their own countries. This lie did also when many native Americans. who were loudest in their demand for war were hiding behind dependent families to escape the draft.