New-York tribune., 1873-03-15
Tge oUESyI0y or CITIZENSHIP.

A telegram to THE TRIBUNE from Berlin
several DAYS ago announced that the Treaty,
negotiated in that city by Mr.. Bancroft, for
the regulation of naturalization between the
United States and Prussia was likely to be
modified 80 as to render two years. residence
of an American citizen in Germany, after
naturalization in the United States, equivalent
TO a remuneration of his citizenship. We ex-
pressed our objections to any such modification
Upon this, sundry newspapers, which diligently
peruse THE TRIBUNE without much apparent
profit because of their lack of faith, made
haste to say that this had always been the
intent and meaning of the Treaty. This is
dangerous error, and one which ought not
to become general, lest it should end by in-
fecting the Department of State and inducing
our natural protectors to give up all our
adopted citizens in foreign parts to the mercy
of alien governments. 1t is true that the
Fourth Article of our Treaty with the North
German Union provides that eff German
naturalzed in America renews his residence
"in North Germany, without the intent to
"return to America, he shall be held to
have renounced his naturalization in the
United States. The intent not
"person naturalized in the one country re-
{" sides more than two years in the other
Country"
This language, every one must see, is OBJ
iectonably ambiguous, but the real meaning
given to it by Mr.. Bancroft and assented to
by Prince (then COUNT Bismarck was not that
the two years residence in the native country
was to be held as a remuneration of the new
nationality, but only as presenting presump-
tive evidence of an intention never to return.
Mr.. Bancroft explained this in his letter to
the Department of State under date of Feb.
90, 1865 He then used this language: "The
Fourth Article is intended to prevent in
"sincerity in the transfer of allegiance.
"a German naturalized in America and
returning to Germany for two years
"does not necessarily renOunce his American
relationship; only he may be called upon to
"declare his purpose explicitly" If, therefore,
there be any foundation for the report con-
tanned in the dispatch, it means that the
Government at Berlin desires us to yield the
Interpretation we have always hitherto ad-
hered to, and agree to an explanatory protocol
which shall surrender the right of naturalized
American citizens, upon which we insist, to
spend two years or more III the linu OF bHtT
nativity in all cases where it is necessary
without thereby renOuncing their citizenship.
If any such proposition is made we trust it
will be firmly resisted. There is no denying
the ambiguity of the Treaty, and its phrase
ology might be amended with profit. But if
this is done it should be in a sense directly
contrary to the one suggested This has actu-
ally been done in the case of our Naturaliza-
ton Treaty with Bavaria, which follows the
text of the Treaty with North Germany. But
an explanatory protocol clears away all doubt
from this disputed clause, and says: Article
Fourth shall have only this meaning that
"the adopted country of the emigrant cannot
"prevent him from acquiring once more his
"former citizenship. But yet it is left
"to his own free choice whether he will
"adopt that course G.e be re-naturalized in his
"native country0 or will preserve the citizen
"ship of the country of his adoption" This
is clear and explicit, and affirms positively the
American position. If the Berlin Government
wish to do any tinkering upon the Treaty
they cannot do better than follow this pre-
cedent. The point is one no American admin
istration can surrender A naturalization as a
citizen of the United States protects the per-
son naturalized permanently and everywhere,
so long as he remains in good faith a citizen
of this country.