174 / World War I and Reconstruction Work

to Washington to request the Congress to provide exemption for nonresistant people in the event that a conscription law was

passed. This contact by a major Mennonite body, the second largest in America, was the first of a number of petitions from various Mennonite bodies which were sent to Congress.

On May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed. This

Act, to be sure, provided exemption for conscientious objectors but the exemption clause was qualified with the provision that "no person shall be exempted from service in any capacity that the

president shall declare to be noncombatant." The complication that arose was due to the fact that President Wilson did not define noncombatant service until March 20, 1918, almost a year after the United States had entered the war. Also complicating the picture

was his definition of noncombatant service as noncombatant military service, a definition not acceptable to persons whose conscience forbade them to serve under the military arm of the government.

On May 23 and 24, 1917, the Ohio Mennonite Conference convened at the Salem Church near Lima and discussed the question:

`Since the conscription bill has been passed, what advice has this conference to give to the young men of the church?" A long

resolution grew out of the discussion. It was prefaced by statements which recalled the Confession of Faith at Dordrecht, Holland, in

1632. It recalled the European persecutions and the migration to the New World, "leaving home and native land in order to obtain the blessing of liberty of conscience which had been promised them

here." Specifically the discussion led to seven resolutions:

1. All persons subject to the draft should register as requested by the conscription bill and proclaimed by the President.

2. All such persons should secure certificates of membership from bishops and ministers in order to present to proper authorities when necessary.

3. Each person should inform himself on the principles in the Mennonite creed which forbid war and be able to give a good reason for the hope that is in him.

4. All questions should be answered fairly and honestly and in a spirit of law-abiding and peacefulness.

5. The national emblem should be respected in accordance with our faith and practice.

6. Respect and obey all magistrates so long as there is no violation of the teaching of Christ.