The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-11

Regulations Sent to Applicants. |
The State Department has just adopted |
a new policy in issuing passports to Am
erican citizens Of foreign birth. which IS /
designed 10 prevent some Of the arrests O. |
those who hereafter return 10 the country /
of their origin.
Heretofore it has been the practice TO /!
grant passports to all Americans who |
proved their citizenship and allow them to !
20 wherever they chose. without any /
warning as to the risks they might run, /
but according to the official explanation Of
the innovation It has been found that
many people OF foreign birth suppose that
the mere acquisition OF American citizen
snip and the security Of an American pass
port render them immune from the opera
tioR Of the laws or regulations Of the
country of which they were formerly sub
ieejs or citizens if they return Such.
however is very far from being the case
In all countries a person who secures nat
uralfzation in another country Is still la
bic 10 punishment on his return for an Of
fence committed before his emigration,
and in some countries emigration and nat
uraIization without permission are them
selves offences. The State Department
has taken simple way Of preventing Am
orleans from unwittingly running into dan
ger by preparing a series Of notices which
il now sends with all passports to appli-
cants Of foreign birth. 1t is brief, and tells
him in words that anyone can comprehend
lust what the laws and regulations that
v-0rTC O
TO the policy of foreign countries. they
the not official. but they are believed to
be correct and have been compiled with
great care in tie department. after coll
sultation with American Ministers abroad
In announcing this important change IN
its practice the Department declares that
no departure is intended from the atu-
tude of dissent of this Government from
the policy OF certain foreign Governments
in their treatment OF their former sub
jects and citizens, and the department
has from abundance OF caution so IN
structed American diplomatic agents
abroad The new plan is almost ldentlcai
with that of England and those chiefly at
fected by il are natives Of Germany Rus
STA France Austria, and Turkey although
all foreiEn-bOrn American citizens are
more or less interested except former
British subjects outside OF native INDIANS.
Chinese and japanese, to whom passports
cannot be issued. AS indicating the scope
OF the policy the following extracts are
made from the notice 10 American clti-
zens formerly subjects OF Germany who
contemplate returning to that country;
- German who emigrates before he IS
se-enteen years old. or before he has been
actually called upon TO appear before the
military authorities, may after residence
In the United States Of five years and az
Ter due naturalization. return TO Germany
on a visit, but his right TO remain IN his
former home is denied by Germany and ne
may be expelled after brief soiourn, on
the ground that he left Germany merely
TO evade military service. 1t is not safe
for a person who has once been expelled
10 return to Germany without obtaining
Dernission 10 do so in advance per-
son who has completed his military ser
vice and has reached his thirty-fiTst year
and become an American citizen may safe
Il return 20 Germany
The treaties between the United States
and the German States provide that Ger
man subjects who have become citizens Of
the United States shall be recognized as
such upon their return 10 Germany If they
resided in the United States FIVE years
Bur a naturalized American OF German
birth is liable TO trial and punishment up
on return TO Germany for an onenct
against German law committed before EN-
fgratiou. saving always the limitations Of
--hiIe in service or while on leave OF alb
sence for limited time; if, having al
unlimited leave or being in the reserve
he enigrated after receiving a call into
service. or after a public proclamation re
curing his appearance, or after war broke
out, he IS liable to trial and punishment
On return
..AIsace-LoTraine having become a part
Of Germany since our naturalization
treaties with the other German States
were negotiated. American citizens, ma
tiYes OF that province. under existing err
cumstances may be subjected 10 inconve-
ntence and possible detention by the Ger
man authorities Il they return without
having sought and obtained permission
10 do so from the Imperial Governor a
SITasburg-
The authorities of Wurtemberg reQuir'
that the evidence Of the American clJl
zenshir, OF q former subject OF Wurtem
berg which is furnished by passpor
shall be supplemented by duly authen
ricated certificate showing five years res
jdence in the United States in order tina
fuIhlment Of the treaty condition OF i've
years residence may appear separated
as a fact OF record
The dangers incurred by former
Frenchman returning TO France are
shown by the following:
a Frenchman naturaiized abroad with
out the consent Of his Government. am
who al the time Of his naturalization Was
still subject 10 military service in the
actfve army or IN the reserve Of thf
active army, IS held TO be amenable u
the French military laws Not having
responded to the notice calling him t.
accomplish his military service. he Is
placed on the list Of those charged With
compliance with the military laws
and il he returns to France he is liabl'
10 arrest. trial, and upon conviction, Il
turned over 10 the army. active, reserve
or territorial. according 10 his age Lon
absence from France and old age do no
prevent this action
ELEPHANT ON a FARM.