The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
IS CROKER A CITIZEN?
HAS H EX- BOSS
LOST HIS FRANCHISE?
New Law Provides That Naturalized
Americans Lose Citizenship if They
Live Abroad Two Years.

NEW YORK, Sept. 3.-There Is consid-
cradle excitement in Tammany and other
political circles here today by the publ
cation of a story that Richard Croker Is
no longer a citizen of the United States,
but a subject Of King Edward
OF course. the story says. the old Tam
many boss did not mean to do 1t, as he
has been so busy with his horses that he
nroha bIv has not had his attention called
tn the statute passed by the last Congress
which became effective on March 9 OF this
year. -.
The law took effect upon the date OF its
massage. 1t provides that when any natu-
ralized American citizen shall nave resloeu
for two years in the State from which
he came. or for five years in any other
foraien state, 1t shall be presumed that
he has ceased to be an American cltizen
and the place Of his general abode snail De
deemed his residence during those years
provided. however, that such presumption
NAV be overcome on the presentation Oh
satisfactory evidence TO n diplomatic OF
oone,,lar officer of the United States under
such rules and regulations as the De
nartment of State may prescribe.
Thns far the Department of State mas
,oiIad TO prescribe rules and regulations
covering the case. When the proper pro
visions have been made it will be possible
for Mr.. Croker to go before a Onlteo
states diplomatic or consular and announce
that while he is living in ireland and mas
expressed his intention of living there as
long as he lives, he has no Intention OF
abandoning his rights as a citizen OF the
United States of America.
Mr.. Croker was born in Ireland. HIS
parents brought him to New York when
he wa n little boy, but when he reached
the voting age it became necessary for him
10 take out naturalization papers.
He took the preliminary steps IN the
direction of sacrificing his citizenship here
when he decided to become a figure upon
the English turf over ten years ago. For
the past six years Mr.. Croker has lived
abroad.
when he was denied permission to train
his horses on Newmarket Heath nearly
three years ago he quit England and pur-
chased a fine country place In Ireland.
He has made his home there ever since.
The only break in his residence abroad
was the occasion of his visit here to at
tend the funeral of one of his sons.
so that Richard Croker is presumed by
This government to be a resident of Ire
land. for he has been living for two years
and more in the foreign state from which
he came. In addition, he is presumed to
be a subject Of King Edward because Ire
sand-even though unwilling-is a part of
Great Britain.
It is quite likely that Mr.. Croker is not
aware that he has forfeited his rights
as a citizen of the United States.
A few months ago when it was stated
that his friends wanted to run him for
Parliament and make him the leader Of
the Irish Home Rule party, he said that
he would not renounce his allegiance to
Uncle Sam under any circumstances
The only ground upon which Mr.. Croker
or any other expatriot could attempt to
upset the recent Congressional dietum con-
cerning the forfeiture of citizenship would
be upon its unoonstitutionality. He might
, claim that it is retroactive, and therefore
anterferes with his rights.