The San Francisco call., 1904-06-21
NATURALIZED CITIZEN ABROAD
PROBLEM TO STATE DEPARTMENT
Case of lon Perdicaris May Lead to Legisla-
ton Making More Exacting the Require
ments for the Enfranchisement of Aliens
BY S. w. WALL

CALL BUREAU. HOTEL BARTON,
WASHINGTON, June 20.-When Ion
Perdicaris was carried off into the
mountains Of Morocco by a gentleman
ly bandit and his cry for help was di-
rected at the United States and the
United States. sent a fleet Of warships
10 Tangicr the plain American citizen
was reused from the contemplation Of
his peaceful pursuits by emotions that
were considerably mixed. The first was
interest in the picturesque affair, the
second approval Of the prompt and
businessllze rescue measure and the
third was irritation. Sentiment that
provoked the first two was overtaken
and submerged by the sober second
and third thought. Who is this Perdi-
caris?-that was the question.
The stories Of his real estate holdings
at Tangier and the barbaric splendor
Of the furnishings Of his palaces ana
the manner of his living suggested 10
everybody's mind Prince Of Morocco.
His father, who gave him his name
was a Greek-that was apparent But
had he ever seen Broadway or the
statue Of liberty Of which he had been
deprived. that he called upon Uncle
sam in the name of his citizenship 10
rescue him at any cost to Uncle sam
of trouble and expense and lnternatloh-
al complication.
Who is this Perdicaris?
John Hay asked the question and'
fortunately for Mr.. Perdicarls, teW
were able and willing TO answer he
is an American all right. His father
was a naturaliZed citizen and While
serving as Consul at Athens the son
was born in the consulate. SO his title
is clear and although he has taken
up his residence at Tangier these many
years. he resided here long enough in
New Jersey 10 be esteemed citizen
OF that state.
With this explanation the feeling or
irritation passes and the movement OF
the ships is affirmed. But the incident
has served TO quicken interest IN
question that has ever veXed the state
Department and worried American
Ministers and Consuls around the
world. Ii is the question of the natur-
allied citizen when he goes abroad.
He causes nearly all the trOuble-at
least he causes a great deal of It, In
the pride of his new nationality and
his vast appreciation Of its greatness
and power he is apt TO become oD-
noxious and require the aid Of Amer
Jean representation TO get him out OF
the resulting jail.
HIGHER \ AAlIAlION-
This fact is a large Influence in ne
movement to set a higher valuation
upon American citizenship 10 be eX-
pressed in adding diffiC lties 10 the
trick Of securing il. Under the law
foreigner is required to reside in the
country for five consecutive years. Two
years before he can hope TO secure his
final papers he must file a declaration
Of his intention TO make such applica-
iiCn and at this time he must under
oath renOunoe all other allegiance ana
promise support Of the constitution OF
the United States. At the time Of his
fual application TWO citizens must tes-
tify- TO his continuous residence for the
time prescrlb bed and he must prove that
during that time his behavior has been
good and that he is attached TO the
principles of the constitution The
country Of his former allegiance must
Doe at peace with the United States or
he cannot be admitted-not until the
war is over.
This is the law and so far it is so
good. A heightened period Of probation
IS advocated and educational and even
financial qualifications are suggested
10y those who would hedge the Ameri-
can citizen about with safety measures.
But there are those who think the chief
laNity Of the law as fl is lies in the fact
y
Judges Of the lesser courts Who may
be Influenced by impending elections
and ward bosses or upon whom, at
least, frauds may be practiced in the
hurry burly Of such times The adyO-
cscy is that the Federal courts should
have exclusive jurisdiction in the MAX
ing Of American citizens. just as the
Federal Congress has the exclusive
right TO legislate in the matter
But even those who believe that this
change would go far toward remedying
the evil Of citizenship-made-tOO
would add several years to the period
between Castle Garden and the first
vote. together with an acquaintance
with the American language. if not
with the constitution itself 1t is not
however, with the citizen who has be-
come naturalized for the purpose Of
voting that the representative abroad
OF the State Department is concerned.
Il IS the fellow who is far-sighted