Arizona republican., 1903-04-18

so frequently made that American cit iZens in foreign lands are not properly lomatic correspondence just issued by the department of state, is a letter from Minister Sampson to Secretary Hay, which shows that the loudest who have no moral right to call upon the United States for any assistance whatsoever. Minister Sampson speaks warmly on the subject, doubtless be- he has undergone.
 It will be remembered that year or so ago there were frequent dispatches in the papers of this country, detailing izens were subjected in Ecuador It is true that the names of the AmerI- can victims as printed had a very Cas- tilian look, but patriotism overlooked a cry from all parts of the country for protection for our unfortunate fellow citizens in Ecuador. Incidentally. Minister Sampson came in for no small amount of criticism. His position barred him from replying to these as- saults, and he had to content himself with stating officially that all proper steps were taken for the protection Of
 
 ests. But it is clear from his commun- ication to the secretary of state that Gen. Sampson still has these criticisms in mind.
 One of the most difficult experiences of a representative of the United States" he says, lis to determine what are the rights of certain claimants, both native and naturalized, to Ameri can citizenship, who have been living abroad for many years, all the time claiming the protection of the United States, but discharging none of the duties of citizenship and in many in stances of no honor to the nation, while all their scheming is to avoid all obli- gations to and claim all exemptions possible from duties to the country in which residing.
 T know one case in which a natur- aliZed subject has resided for over forty years in the land of his nativity, without even visiting the United States. and cannot speak one word of English. Some such persons are engaged in merchandising. You may inspect their stock and not find a dollars worth that has been purchased in the United States. In many instances they hay. amassed fortunes, but not one dollar of it increased the wealth of the United States and yet it seeks the protection of the same. In prominent letters seen over the front of the door are the words American property
 Tn every way possible and by re- peated assertions, they claim American citizenship, and if an official represen- tative of the United States dare ques- tion it, the overZealous citizen becomes indignant and informs the said official that the government would not hest tate to protect her citizens abroad. True, there are those who reside abroad for many years who are en- gagged in some business or enterprise that will advance the interests cf American commerce or manufacturers, and who fully intend to return to the United States to resume the duties of citizenship as soon as certain results have been accomplished.
 Such persons are entitled to proper recognition. One not on the ground may be ready to say that it is an easy matter to determine between the two classes. But after an experience he will be ready to acknowledge that it i5 impossible to determine the one deserv- ing recognition and the one who is q citizen for what there is in it.
 The attitude of the government to- ward claims to protection on the ground of citizenship is shown in :, communication, printed in the same volume, addressed by Secretary Hay to Ambassador Porter at Paris in conse. quence of the receipt of a communica- ton from the American chamber of commerce, Paris. MT. Hay said:
 "The government holds that every citizen sojourning or travelling abroad in pursuit of his lawful affairs is er- titled to a passport. and the duration of such sojourn the department doIs not arrogate to itself the right to limit or prescribe"