Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-09
THE MODERN PASSPORT.
Wherein 1t Differs From the Old-Time
Paper of International Usage.

From the Chicago Record.
Passports are not required in Europe,
sid Mr. Hunt, chief of the passport bureau
of The Department of State. That is to say.
Il passport is rot needed to secure acmis-
sion to any of the countries except Russia
and Turkey. Should the tourist intend to
remain at any particular place on the con-
tinent for long time should he intend 10
take up temporary residence or engage in
business for instance. then he is called
upon to establish his identity. and this can
best he done by means of passport. The
present passport is not the old passport of
International law. That was safe conduct
10 d man, with permission TO go through Il
country. given by the ruler of that coun-
try. Ii then became a paper given by
sovereign 10 n person about to enter upon
voyage. requesting the sovefeigns OF the
countries TO be visited to permit him to
enter. The language used in our passports
now is 10 let the person to whom 1t IS IS
sued pass freely and TO give him all lawful
aid and protection
LAS a matter of fact the American pass
port has never been issued to foreigner to
travel in this country. a passport has
never been required here except in brief
periods and limited areas during war times.
The passports which being issued in
such large numbers now are certificates of
American citizenship and an evidence of the
person who holds it to the right of Ameri-
protection. The only real passports. in
the old international law sense, that the
Department Of State has ever issued were
sent to Mr.. Polo. the Spanish minister,
and Lord Sackville. the British minister.
They were addressed to officers of the
United States giving safe conduct to the
bearers. and were merely a formality, haV-
ing weight at all. because anybody is
free to travel in the United States long
as he does not violate the law. Occasion
ally a foreign minister about to go away
leave asks for and receives from the
department one of these safe conducts. but
they rare and have not numbered three
in three years.
THE ordinary passport issued by other
governments is similar to that which
give citizens both in wording and pur
pose. Some foreign countries. before recog-
niZng the validity of a passport, require
that wise be affixed. denotng that il has
been examined and is authentic. The wise
in some cases must be attached in the coun-
try where the passport is issued. by
diplomatic or consular officer of the gov
.crrment requiring it. sometimes simply by
such officer anywhere, and then again. at
times, at the frontier of the country TO
which admission is sought. Should an
American citizen, either native or natural
lied. require passport or identification
while abroad he has the right to call upon
the nearest American diplomatic or consular
officer for il.
1T is safe for an American citizen to visit
any country of Europe, provided he has
not violated the laws in any of them. In
quired of subjects native emigrating TO
the United States and taking up citizen
ship here is free to return, provided he has
Eot been summoned to perform the service
al the time he departed: but no naturalzed
citizen can return TO his mother country
with impunity. If he violated any of the
laws. deserted from the army. etc, he will
probably bc apprehcnded by the parent gov
ernm"nt upon his return. and the passport
Will not protect him. because a man can
not avoid punishment for the infringement
OF the l2ws Of one country by becoming a
citizen of another. Russia. Turkey, and in
n less degree. Italy and Switzerland. adj
here to the doctrine Of perpetual allegiance.
Switzerland and Italy do not commonly
assert j; against subjects who nave become
ratUrtliz@d citizens of the United States.
The Depa rtmeEt of STATE has had pro-
lorged correspondence protesting against
the attitude of Turkey and Russia. but has
concessions.
our laws, you know. do not extend be-
yCEd the jurisdiction of this government
and while may by statute proclaim the
right of eXpatriaton cannot enforce It
in either Russia or Turkey. The Car of
Russia and The Sultan of Turkey. when
our citizens enter their domains. have to
be consulted concerning this divine right.
The tendency of all modern international
intercourse is in favor of its recognition;
but that will 90 one little good should he
be arrested in Russia or Turkey and thrown
into jail. There he may il is true. reflect
upon his divine right and also upon his
actual incarceration. AS a matter of fact
neither Russia nor Turkey carries its power
to an extreme II frequently happens that
Eatura!ized citizen returning TO his home
In either country is apprehcnded ard thrown
into prison. Things made uncomfo rt a BILE
for him for while, and Re Is subsequently
released with II warning His experience is
sufficient lesson TO warn others never to
return and thus the purpose of the car
and the sultan Is accomplished"
->O<-
Easily Affected.
From the New York Weekly.