New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-29
WASHINGTON.
CITIZEN OF TWO COUNTRIES

VI WI COtN1hlEo
The vExED QUESTION OF GERMAN NATIONALITY
CURIOUS CASE.
WASHINGTON, Juno %, 1s75-A question
recently submitted BY the Secretary OF State to the
Attorney General In regard to the nationality OF youth
living In Germany. who claims exemption from German
military service, on the ground Of being an American
citizen. Tho facts arc these: Mr.. steinkauleT, q
Prussian. emigrated to the United ST ates In 1s4s,
became na,nrslized In 1854, and in the following
had born in st. Louis. -Four years after the
birth Of his stenkauer returned TO Germany taking
his family, and became domiciled at wesbaden, where
they have resided This son has now reached the
Of 20 years. and the German Government has called
upon him to report for military duty. Mr. steinksuer
invokes the intervention Of the United States on the
ground that his natveborn American citizen In
reply to Secretary Fish, the Attorney General says:
The status Of young stinkauer and his right to pro-
lection from the Government OF the United states de-
ponds primarily r upon ~, Nv mon the snbct
there any treaty between the United states ana
either in North germany or the United states far
find. which solves the question submitted In N9rtn
continues until age Of II years and minor children
OF na,urazed parents, dOmciled and living with such
Children were in the United States, are made Ger
man subjects with the rights OF German citizens the same
az ehar o. born ns CITIZENS Of
United states by the naturalization Of the parents OF o.
harmony with the American doctrine. 1t Is clear that
stenkaer the father, abandoned his Naturalization IN
America ana became German subject; nls son peihg
yet minor and that by virtue OF German laws tue sou
acquired German nationality 1t Is equally er sn az
the .0n by birth has American nationality ana hence Nc
has two acknowledgements NATURAL the other acque
reference IL made the British practice, IN pur'
suance of which every child VINO, uurine III
fancy. has become resident in the country Where
father mother Is naturalzed ana has, according 20
the Of such country become naturazed theIen Is
deemed to be subject OF that state ana NOT ba,sn
subiect1 We have statute. and must therefore,
seek mode of solving this somewhat ulucut
question Young Seinkarer ~ natve-b0rn AlherIosn
citizen There il law OF the United states unoef
his brthright. He return To America ~ tne
aye OF u, and In due time, the people
elect he can become President OF the United
fbs treat an the law, has renounced his
zrnship and his American allegiance, ana nas hlutl
for himself aud his German citizenship ana the
the advantages The being domcied with the father
and subject him under the law during MS hoi'y,
and receiving the German protection wnere ne naS au
acquired nationality. aud declining To give any
his ton OF returning To the Onlleu stare au
claiming lis American nationality by residence heis'
he cannot tgntfuiy invoke tne au vi
the Government of the United states To relieve MN roh
military duty in Germany during his minoIl' pt az
OF opinion that when reaches the OF II years he
can elect whether he will return and take the nilon
ality OF his BIRTH with its duties and prNu'g's'
rian the nationality acquired oy tne az y, M ., a.
This seems be ght reason and thihk ~ Is
law Since reaching the above CONCLUSION am gratineu
to Ind support In the great authority ol tne
present Lord Chief Justice OF ENGLAND IN ms Corh on
ent OF the United states with jealous care viii protct
it, hum best citizen wherever found, yet III the opinion
Of the Attorney General IL is not our duty To au Young
man OF 20 wears escape from military service III gov
eminent whose prutection he has enjoyed since four
years old aud where he has an acquTeu hatonSA''
which lac does not propose to give up