Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-08-21
TIMELY AND USEFUL INFORMATION.

information taken from the column de-
voted to "Question and Answers" in
Mondays Times-Picayune. and which
relate to the European war now in pro-
gress and which will be read with inter-
est by our readers:
Inquirer, Gramercy, La: Please in
form me whether . person born In
France, but a naturalized citizen OF the
United States. could be compelled to
serve in the French army ddring the
time OF war?
The Fourteenth Amendment declares
that CAN persons born or naturalized in
the United States, and subject to the ju-
risdiction thereof. are citizens of the
United States and OF the State wherein
they reside" and as snch they are en-
titled to a protection OF their rights nm
der the laws Of this country. But mere
declaration Of intention to become cit
izen of this country has no value what
ever, and until a person has perfected
his naturalization in due course Of law
and obtained his final papers, he cannot
Claim the protection OF the United States
in case of his voluntary return to the
country of his origin. If the parents OF
the person in question had, under the
obligation imposed by French law upon
parents whose children are absent from
France at the period Of drafting for mill
tary duty, registered him as a French
citizen. and he was so drafted, and at the
time of his American naturalization he
failed to apply for formal authority from
the French government to senounce his
citizenship TO that country, the natural
ization acquired i'm American would be
without value in the eyes OF the French
government, and should he voluntarily
place himself within French jurisdiction
he would be subject to the laws Of France.
As the failure OF a French citizen to per-
form military service, after being drafted,
constitutes an offense against military
law, and in the absence OF any treaty of
naturalization between the United States
and France. this government could not
guarantee immunity from arrest or pun
ishment under the laws OF France.
A. w., Wilcox, La: Will you please
inform me and others as to the cause OF
the present war in Europe?
1t appears to be a general opinion that
the chief causes of the present war in
Europe are the condition of prepared
nese for war" in which the nations find
themselves to-day owing to the great mil
itary and naval establishments Of modern
Europe, and desire Of conquest inspired
by the lust Of empire. A pretext was all
that was venting to start the conflict,
and this was given when, on June %,
last, the Arcbduke Francis Ferdinand,
heir to the throne OF Austria Hungary,
and the Duchess of Hohenberg were as
sassinsted by Serb of Bosnia. AS &C.
quel to this tragedy, on July q, the
Austrian government presented to Servia
note demanding that Servian officers
who had part in the killing of the arch.
duke be prosecuted; that the King Of
Servia publish an official expression Of
regret for such participation; that Servis
apologize for or explain the snti-Austrian
utterances Of her officials; that anti-Aus.
TRAN propaganda of any form be sup
pressed in Servia, and that Servia organ
ize an official investigation of the Sera.
jevo murder, Gin which Austrian repre-
sentatives be allowed to participate -
Servia accepted all these conditions with
out reserve except the last, asking for a
further explanation of the part Austria
would expect her officials to take in an
inquiry, and suggesting reference to the
powers and The Hague Tribunal. This
reply Austria denounced as "filled with
the spirit Of dishonesty, which clearly
lets it be seen that the Servian govern.
ment is not seriously determined to put
an end TO the culpable tolerance it hith.
erto has extended to intrignes against the
Austro- Hungarian monarchy" And on
July % war vas declared.