The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-19

Their Rights as Aliens Under the
LAW Are Liberal.

Marshal Halstead. consul In Birming-
ham has prepared this statement showing
the present status of American citizens In
England:
An American citizen. whether natur-
alfred oil not may now live in England
and enjoy almost equal privileges with
British-born subject, the policy of Eng
land being TO encourage foreigners to set
TIE here for the purposes Of trade. well
as to afford them a safe asylum In times
OF trouble.
"AU persons who are not subjects OF
the crown are called aliens. and the laws
affecting them were formerly harsh.
They could hold lands neither by pur-
chase nor descent; they could not take
seat in parliament or hold office utRier
the state: and by an act passed in the
reign of James /. it was laid down that
ALI such as are to be naturalized or re-
stored in blood shall first receive the
sacrament of the Lords supper and the
oath OF allegiance and the oath Of sunre
macy They were also subject to taxa
ton from which British subjects were ex-
enfpt. This however. has all been done
away with. and the disabilities OF an alien
are now few If ne becomes naturaized
they ara almost entirely removed. Should
war break out between England and the
state TO which an alien belongs he would
Re permitted TO continue his residence in
England so long as he conducted himself
peaeably
THE laws affecting aliens were settled
under the naturalization act. 1870 t3S and
81 Victoria, C. III, and subsequent stat
utes which enacted that
Real and personal property of every
description may te taken and acquired
held and disposed of by an alien in the
same manner in all respects as by nat
urai-born British subject; provided. that
this shall not confer any right on an alien
to hold real property situate out OF the
United Kingdom nor shall II qualify an
alien for any office. or any municipal.
parliamentary or other franchise
IAN American therefore. may still re-
main n citizen OF the United States and
live and carry on business in England.
Tie has the right To acquire property and
to sue and be sued and he is Liable 10
the bankruptcy laws in the same manner
az IA British subject
'An alien becoming naturaIlzed under
this set has all political and other rights
powers and privileges. and Is subject 10
alt oAiig&tions Of n natural born British
subject in the United Kingdom, with the
qualification that he shall not. when with
In the limits Of 4 foreign state or which
ne was Il subject before being naturalzsd.
be deemed a British subject. unless he has
ceased 10 be a subject Of that state in
pursuance az the laws thereof or in pur-
suancc Of a treaty 20 that effect
Naturalization is usually obtained by
certificate of the home secretary. which is
granted on application. subject ~ the fol-
lowing conditions viz; Residence in the
Knitted Kingdom or service under the
crown for i've years in au during the
preceding eight years; a memorial TO the
home secretary with required particulars:
statutory declaration verifying ire mo-
mortal: declaration hy four British sub
iects voaching for loyalty and certifying
memorial; an oAsk OF allegiance. Insisr
the United States regulations fconS efticn
with Great Britain May -. 1870 natural
ixed subjects of either coUntry are rec
ssensgea as such ard citizens % either
country renewing their residence In those
countries may 81 readmitted to the char
Egter and privileges 81 citizenship. on
such terms as fA6 respective governments
may think AZ