Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1879-09-03

circles. The subject was several times
! brought to my notice while at Berlin,
as it has again been in this city, and
always with expressions of surprise
that Americans should demand their
revision, or consent to it if it can be
avoided These treaties are regarded
as the crowning work of Mr.. Bancroft's
diplomatic career, and are referred to
as such by the resident Ministers who
were here when they We're negotiated.
Abiding to this subject, one who had
been here during Bavard Taylor's brief
service declared his belief that Mr.
Taylor's illness was aggravated by
anxiety concerning several cases that
were pending under the treaties and
by the severe animadversions of Ameri-
can papers on the very judicious advice
he had given to some of our natural
lied citizens who were about to bring
themselves under the debateable pro-
visions of the treaties.
Another gentleman, referring 10 the
subject said: There is probably no
diplomatic position in Europe so la
borious or so harrassing as that at
Berlin, and on this very account, There
is IA perpetual struggle to secure the
rights or to investigate the supposed
rights of naturalized American citizens
who have returned to their native
country. Much criticism was passed
in certain quarters against Mr.. Bayard
Taylor for advice given by him to
returning naturalized American citi-
zess Never was criticism more unjust
The fact is, that among the causes of
Mr. Taylor's premature death were his
anxiety and labor on these very cases
Early and late he toiled over them,
and the result was that the great ma
jority Of the persons concerned We're
released from German service"
/ am free to confess that | had not
understood the importance of these
treaties and of the service Mr. Ban
croft had rendered his countrymcn of
German birth in negotiating them, and
/ feel that | cannot better appropriate
portion of my space in the Times
than by stating some of their cardinal
stipulations and the questions thathave
arisen under them.
THE HISTORY OF THEIR NEGOTIATION.
The treaties were negotiated in
1868 with the German States as they
then existed. Bavaria appended to
hers protocol hv which she volun-
tarily agreed, should questions arise
shown by experience to be doubtful,
to adopt that construction most favora-
bic to the rights of American citizens.
The case is different with the Prus-
sian treaty, the provisions of which
are subject to the strict laws of diplo-
matte construction. The general terms
of the treaties are these: That any
native citizen of Germany who leaves
the country before being able to serve
| in the army, who becomes, after five
years residence there, q naturalized
| citizen Of the United States, and who
then returns to Germany, shall be
regarded as an American citizen. As
such he shall be free for the space of
| two years from all claims of the Gov
ernment to military service. If such
| ,
the Government may presume that he
has resumed his German citizenship
and may call upon him to do his mill
tary duty. 1t will be readily seen-it
many naturalized citizens return and
stay over the stipulated time-that
that word may will give rise to deli
cate questions. Events have shown
that it is impossible for the German
Government to overlook violations OF
this stipulation or TO grant the appeal
OF our Minister in every case OF which
he is obliged to take cognizance.
1t is conceded, however, that in q
vast majority of cases returned natur.
allied citizens have no trouble, and the
fact is pointed out that while more than
| 10000 such citizens are now residing
in Germany, yet the number seized
each year for unfulfilled military ser
vice averages less than thirty, and that
very few of these arrested are perma
nently held.
HOW THEY ARE ENFORCED.
1t is also said, and with unqualified
truth-according to the statements O
representatives of other Governments
residing here-that where there is gooG
faith in the action of the returned
American every possible concession is
made, and no disposition is shown tC
apply the law strictly. On behalf o.
the German Government it is urgcC
that there are many cases of this sort
Young men leave Germany just il
time to escape the call to serve in tho
army. They learn the English Ian
guage, acquire American ideas Of trade
become naturalized and embark fol
Germany often within the month il
which they acquire American citizen
ship. Such cases the Government i.
compelled to scrutinize closely Th,
neighbors of such young men-ofter
their former associates-.justly com
plain that while they themselves ar,
discharging their duties to the Empire
these young men who grew up witt
them and until few years ago liveC
beside them, are now free, under tn,
pretense of an American citizenship
which they do not exercise or intent
to exercise. 1t is this class of case
which has given rise to most of tn
difficulties under the treaty. The Ger
man Government contends that thes
men have not become naturalize'
American citizens in spirit and intent
but have assumed pretended Ameri
can citizenship, by which they hope t
evade their duties both to German.
and the United States. 1t is freel
admitted that mistakes have bee
made by its subordinate officials VIII
have claimed military service fror
naturalized American citizens befor
the expiration of the two years allowe
by the treaties, but it is asserted tina
in every such case instant concession
:. have been made on proof of the fact: