The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-12
Who Take Out American NaturaIiza-
tiOn Papers So They May Appeal To
Uncle Sam in Case of Trouble.
NEW POLICY TOWARDS CUBA
THAT MAY LESSEN OUR DIPLOMATIC
sQUABBLES WITH SPAIN.
Secretary Gage Determined to Run
His Department on Business Prin-
ciples-Senate Situation.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Secretary
Sherman has outlined the policy that will
be pursued by this government towards
Cuba in a manner peculiarly outspoken.
He has indicated that this government will
at all times and in all places and under all
circumstances protect the rights of Amer
lean citizens who might get into trouble
when abroad but that il will not encourage
the schemes of foreigners who come TO the
United States and stay here just long
enough to become naturalized and then re-
turn TO their native countries to foment
trouble and organize revolutions or treason
able conspiracies against their former gov
ernments. In the opinion of Secretary
Sherman America must continue to be the
LAND of the free and the home of the
brave" but il must not be an asylum for
those who contemplate treason against
their native countries and who come here
Cor the purpose of securing the protection
of the American flag part and parcel
of their reasonable projects.
1t is not clear how the secretary is going
to carry his ideas into effect. because to
do so would be TO make a distinction be-
tween naturalized citizens and native-born
citizens, and that would at once arouse a
storm OF opposition in quarters where sup
port of the administration is desirable. He
sprung this idea in the course of a debate
on the Sanguilly case ten days or two
weeks ago, and it was combated sharply by
Senator Davis. who succeeds him as chair
man of the committee on foreign relations
and by others who held that the moment
a man becomes a naturalized citizen of the
Unit ha int,+ icl, N al
born citizen is entitled to become his, and
that this government can make no distinc-
ton. 1t is not improbable that a sharp
conflict will arise if the secretary of state
should attempt TO shade the rights of citi-
zenship. or 10 take official cognzance OF
any difference between the two classes.
1t is unquestionably true that many Ar
menians and Cubans have become citizens
of the United States during the last few
years as a species of life insurance, intend
ing to fall on this government for protec-
tion If they should be arrested for compile
ity in instructions or plots against then
home governments. Hundreds and thou
sands of such men have taken out life in
surance policies of this sort and they are
involving the United States in an unending
series of disputes with foreign countries
The controversies which have grown out
Of these matters are annoying in the eX-
treme to the diplomatic representatives OF
the nations concerned, but no plan has yei
been devised for stopping the practices
under which the controversies originate. II
may be that Secretary Sherman can Offer
solution 10 the difficulties. and the fact
that he has called attention to the abuses
complained of may have a salutary effect.