The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-21
TO EXPATR|ATE
AMERICANS WHO
AG|TATE ABROAD

Washington. Dec. INSTRUMENTATION
for revolutionary changes In tho naturali-
cation. expatriation and passport laws
and regulations OF the United States were
submitted TO congress yesterday by spe-
cial commission designated by tho state
department TO investigate the workings
of the present laws and make report
in accordance with request from the
house committee on foreign affairs. The
status Of American women marrying for
eigners is defined carefully: the citizen
ship OF minor children is made clear. and
provision Is made for the eXpatriation OF
American citizens who live abroad indeh
nitoly.
The committee consisted OF Or. David
Jayne Hill. the United States minister
10 the Netherlands; James y. Scott, the
solicitor OF the state department, and
Gsillard Hunt. chief OF the passport bu-
reau of the state department.
A plan for keeping an accurate record
OF Americans living abroad II provided
for I'm the recommendations OF the COM
mission. IL is suggested that the state
department issue certificates OF nativity
to all American-born citizens living out
side of the United States stating where
they were born and their residence in
this country.
American boys living abroad when IS
years old are to register with an Amer1-
can consular office declarinf their inten-
tion to become citizens of this country,
and at 21 they are TO take the oath of
allegiance. All Americans living outside
OF this country are TO be required to
register with an American consular officer
at least once q year.
The commission suggests that the secrs-
tary OF state should be authorized 70
extend protection and grant pass ports
to persons who have declared their In
tention OF becoming American citizens
but that such passports should not be
effective In the country from which the
person emigrated 70 the United States
1t Is recommended that the expatria-
ton OF American citizens be assumed
when they obtain naturalization in an
other country; when they engage in
the service OF another power, or when
they are domiciled In foreign country
for Ave years without taking steps TO
maintain their American citizenship.
American women who marry foreigners
in the opinion OF the commission, should
be permitted TO resume their American
citizenship, II they make application
within one year after the death Of their
husbands or after divorces have been
granted. Minor children born outside
OF the United States are 20 be permitted
10 become American citizens upon the
naturalization OF a parent.
The commission would have passports
issued for only two years, with permis-
sion to extend them an additional two
years. In conclusion the report recon-
mende that ell diplomatic officers OF
the United States be instructed TO open
negotiations with the foreign govern
ments 10 which they are accredited, pre-
paratory to perfecting treaty relations in
harmony with the legislation suggested.
Under the present laws of the United
States a man who Is once an American
citizen is always az American citizen.
The resdult has been that many people
cause international difficulties, especially
in Turkey. where many men who have
American naturalization papers but are Ia
no sense Americans, demand the protec-
ton OF the United States.
II &c recomme ndatlons OF the commits
sion be enacted into law this country will
go practically upon the same basis that
England now is, and will be able TO ter
inmate the American citizenship OF per-
sons who live constantly outside this