The Washington herald., 1912-01-20
REAL MAN WITHOUT
A COUNTRY FOUND
Eugene Prince Finds Himself De-
void of Nationality and Seeks
Relief in House Resolution.

Relief for a man without country
is sought In a resolution presented in
the House OF Representatives yezter-
day. The case, regarded as the most
remarkable OF the kind ever brought to
the attention OF the government. Is
that of Eugene Prince. who was born
In Russia, his father the son OF an
American and his mother an English
woman
Eugene Prince is disowned legally
by Russia, and. under american laws
he Is denied the right or citizenship in
the Cnited States. Prince has no stand
ing "a the eyes OF any government in
the world. lie cannot secure a pass
port as an American citizen. nor as a
Russian subject. although he has lived
In Russia all his life. The facts I'm the
case. briefly, arc as follows:
- Eugene Princes grandfather. George
Eenry Prince. left the United states as
C young man to represent the firm OF
w. Ropes a. Co, exporters of petro-
leum at 81. Petersburg. He married
an English woman and by her had six
children. The fifth child, John Henry
Prince. father OF Eugene Prince. was
born at st. Petersburg. November G.
1859. and has always resided there. rep
resentlng American firms. among them
a number OF steel works.
Under american law. John Henry
Prince retained his American citizen
ship. running from his father. and is
registered by the Russian government
as an American citizen doing business
in ST. Petersburg under a billet dc Sc
jour" John Henry has never visited
the native land OF his father. His son.
Eugene Prince, has been employed In
the Offices OF the International Harves-
ter Company at Moscow.
Young Prince come to the United
States not long ago TO take up his cit
lzenship and enter upon a business ca
reer in Chicago. He found that he
could not be recognized as a citizen OF
the United States, owing to the proyi-
sions of section 1s93 OF the Revised
of citizenship shall not descend TO chill
dren whose fathers never resided in the
United States"
The resolution for the relief OF Mr..
Prince was introduced by Represent
alive Gardner. OF Massachusetts,. II
provides that Prince shall be admitted
to the character and privileges OF a citI-
zen OF the United States" The resolu-
tIon recites that Prince has no legal
standing as a citizen before any gov
crnment in the world.
So far as could be learned yesterday
there Is only one precedent for the grant
ing OF American citizenship by special
act OF Congress. Mrs. Nellie Grant Sar-
toris was so favored by an act OF Con-
Iress approved May 16. 1895. Nellie Grant.
the favorite daughter Of President Grant.
lost her American citizenship and became
a British subject upon her marriage to
Aleernon Sartoris. an Englishman. Upon
the death of her husband. Mrs. Sartoris
returned to the United States and was re-
admitted to citizenship as stated.
Prince has filed n declaration OF an In
tcntion to become a naturaliZcd Ameri-
can citizen. Believing that he has rights
that ought to be recognized. he prefers
to secure citizenship through the grace
Of Congress. thus obviating the necessity
of qualifying by a five years residence.
MIR. Prince Is a relative of the late John
T.. Ropes and Prof. James Hardy Ropes,
two noted historians. The family Is an
Essex CMass.) one. and dates back to
IG4s