The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-14
MAKING A CONVENIENCE
OF THE AMERICAN FLAG
Naturalized Citizens Who
Feel No obligation.
CITIZENSHIP 4 MERE SHIELD
Evade All Duties Both to Their Home
Government and That of the Coun-
try IN Which They Reside.

The issuance of passports to natural
lied citizens who continually reside
abroad. have no interests in the United
States. and use their American citizen
ship as means of commercial ad-
vantage and protection forms the basis
of interesting correspondence on the
part of Minister Sampson, the United
States representative in Ecuador. His
letter on the subject is contained in the
volume of foreign relations issued by the
state Department. Among other things
Nh. Sampson says:
'One Of the most difficult experiences
a representative Of the United States
has. is TO determine what are the rights
Of certain claimants 10 American citi-
zenship. It Is well known fact that
there are many instances Of persons
claiming citizenship of the United
States, both native and naturalized. who
have been living abroad for many years.
all The time claiming the protection OF
the United States, but discbarging none
Of the duties Of citizenship and. in many
instances. of no honor to the nation.
while all their scheming is to avoid all
obligation to. and claim all exemptions
possible from duties to the country in
which they reside
Citing a fragrant Instance.
Il know one case in which a natural
lied subject has resided for over forty
years in the land OF his nativity, with
out even visiting the United States and
cannot speak q word OF English.
Such persons make it q religious
duty to sign the register Of American
citizens in the United States legation
or consulate each succeeding TWO years
and profess great admiration for the
Stars and Stripes, and sigh for the
day TO come speedily when they can
once more be at home in the best
country in the world. always saying. Z
hope in two or three years more Such
persons are engaged in merchandising.
You may enter and inspect their large
stock OF goods and not fnd a dollars
worth that has been purchased in the
United States. In many instances they
have amassed fortunes. but not one
dollar Of II increases the wealth Of the
United States; and yet it seeks the
shelter and protection of the same. IN
prominent letters over the front door are
seen the words American property.
Thus in every way possible and by
repeated assertion they claim American
citizenship, and if an official represen-
tative Of the United States dare aues-
tion it, the overzealous citizen becomes
Citizens in Good Faith.
True, there are cases of those who
reside abroad for many years who are
engaged in some business OF enterprise
that viii advance the interests Of Ameri-
can commerce or manufactures. and
who fully intend to return TO the United
States TO resume the duties Of citizen
ship as soon as certain result has been
accomplished Such persons are entitled
to proper recognition. One not on the
ground may be ready 10 say it is an
easy matter to determine between those
Two classes
Mr.. Sampson urges that more definite
rules be laid down so that uniformity
Of recognition Of citizenship rights IN
all countries may be the same. He then
continues:
The results of the late Spanish
American war have developed another
class OF cases.
Sudden Love of Country.
a citizen OF Porto Rico, for exam
PIE "a true caseJ was in Ecuador hold
ing a regularly issued Spanish passport
when Porto Rico became a part Of the
United States He at once professed
great admiration for the United States
and declared he would henceforth be a
citizen Of the United States. Next he
applied for registration as such and ask
ed for a passport"
Mr.. Simpson asks for Instructions in
such cases and suggests that the matter
be called to the attention OF Congress.