The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-10-31
RISMARCK,S Latest MOVE.

N. Y. ELdn1 nef: Two mllllonS OF Otr
fellow.ctizen3 are of German birth.
According to recent reports, the German
Chancellor is hstching a plot against
their interests. The trouble has sprung
from the following facts.
The Germans probably lcve their
native land as much as any people in
the world, and they leave it with regret.
But they have been drawn 10 as by the
irresistible attraction Of freedom and of
opportunities for advancement, and |
once here they have identified them |
selves with our interests, and are recog- |
nised as:constituting a valuable element
OF our citizenship. But Bismarck, who |
wants them all TO remain at home, and
subject themselves to military duty, has
always frowned on their transfer Of al
legiance. t.,
Now the inevitable result OF this great
influx Of Germ ms has been to create in
innate social and commercial relations
between the United States and Prussia,
and from the very nature of the case
there are always great many Germans
who, after becoming citizens here, re-
turn to their native country for longer
or shorter periods. They have no in
teEiop of deserving the Eagle, but they
60 to Germany as any good Yankee
may go 10, France or Italy, fully intend
f}fg 10 return. 1t was TO protect such
German Americans that our Govern
ment made treaty with Prussia more
than fifteen years AGO, which provided
among other things that:
Citizens of the North German Con-
federation, who become naturaliZed
citizens OF the United States of America,
AN SHALL have resided uninterruptedly
within the United States five years, shall
he. held by the North German Confcder-
atien TO be American citizens, and shall
lie treated as such.
HaiGerman naturalized in America
reneWs his residence in North Germany.
Without the intent 10 return to America,
he Shall be held TO have renounced his
naturalization in the United States.
The intent not to return may be held
the one country resides more than two
years in the other country.
This is called the bancroft Treaty,
and these are the words which Bismarck
is now said to be interpreting after q
novel fashion. 1t will be observed that
no distinction is made between those
who served their military term before
leaving homo, and those who left before
service. But the Chancellor holds that
the latter class can only return to Prus-
sia for few weeks or at most few
months, and even during that short
period are subject to notice TO quit the
country. Such sI Interpretation ap-
pears utterly unreasonable and unten-
able, and Mr.. Pendleton, IL is said, is
enieavoring to gain proper construc.
tion for the trea'y, If we were TO visit
China, We would hardly care TO be seized
clad in flowing robes, and pressed into
the service Of the Blue Dragon. A;
Americans We would insist on our treaty
rights. Aud German Americans who
return to Germany are just as com
pletely exempt from the requirement o
military service as we should be il
China, unless they In some way reyiv'
their early allegiance. Their German
birth is a thing of the past, and withou
bearing on the subject.
Bismarck's object in carrying on thes
petty pegseeutions is NJ douht to dis
courage migration to America. Ever
if the great Prussian could succeed il
violating solemn treaty provisions, h
would. hardly attain this result. II
night cause a good deal OF inconven;
eneeS AMI might seriously disturb th
business relations OF the two countries
But the military servitnde at hom
would be as distasteful Us ever, .ou
free wheat fields and cities would sti
beckon the Kniser's subjects away. an
the tide of migration would still set a
heavily westward. But Bismarck wi
not be allowed To interpret the treaty /
suit himself. Weunierstand the near
ing of words as well as he does, and th
true meaning will be enforced.
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