The Washington times., 1915-12-29

Finally, there are a number OF States
In which an alien may actually vote. II
he has taken out his first papers; that
is, declared his intention of becoming
n citizen. This seems 4 remarkal lie
state of affairs, but II Is a fact that
many thousands of people vote regular
ly who are not eligible to serve in the
army or on juries because they are not
citizens. The injustice OF this condition
has caused several States to amend
their laws in this regard in recent
times. Nevertheless holders Of first
papers. though not citizens at all, may
vote in Missouri. Kansas. Nebraska,
Texas, Indiana. and Arkansas. They
could vote also in Oregon till last year.
when the law was changed. to take
effect after this years election. Until
very lately they could also vote In Min
nesota, Michigan, and Nebraska, hut
those States have taken away the priv
ilege.
Advantages Largely Sentimental.
Thus it appears that the advantages
Of being an American citizen are pretty
largely sentimental, aud sentiment does
not appeal much TO the vast majority OF
migrants of the classes that are no"
roming to US in greatest numbers.
Alienism Is lately attracting much at
tention and one Of the bills introduced
in the early days Of the present Con-
gress proposes drastic treatment. 1t
requires that aliens coming here to i've
shall declare. before admittance. their
intention to become citizens. and within
three months shall take out their ms
parere. Further. all aliens now in ire
country must take Urt papers within
tbS Gh. II
become law. and pursue the mater dill
gently. II they don't, they are TO be
sunlmarily deported.
OF course. such measure has no
nrcsent chance to BECOME law. ~ Is po-
liticallv impossible. But the work OF the
Bureau OF Naturalization is making It
certain that some measure
suuintinC strongly in this direction Is
going to be law before long.
The alarming tendency OF aliens in
this country to remain aliens is found to
he prevalent In all sections and States.
| likewise the tcndencv to illiteraCN
among the aliens who do not become
citizens Is so marked as 20 Justify the
conclusion that thos" VINO DO not pc
come citizens arc the ones least disposed
generallv to better their condition and
become desirabl" citizens.
Encouraged by Governments.
Since the war in Europe started it has
become KNOWN lHdl Sphie ioiti|h N''
ernments take measures to encourage
their citizens emigrating TO America not
to become citizens here. Some of them
have not even vet come 10 the point OF
recognizing the right of their people to
themselves. 'OnCe an Eng
iishman. always an Eneltshman.' was
the slogan even OF British citizenship
until about generation ago. when the
privilege of expatriation was granted in
the fullest measure.
Kansas City, Mo. Is one OF the most
American Of large American cities: it
has only 25.327 foreign-born white IN
total population of 2iS.3Sl. Cleveland,
on the other hand, has l9570S foreign
born white in population of 560,663.
That Is. Kansas City has less than one
aien-born in six OF population. while
Cleveland has more than one IN three.
Yet when the TWO towns are compared
as to the tendency OF aliens to remain
such. ii is found that there Is little to
choose. Kansas City is in Missouri,
which lets the foreigner vote without
waiting to perfect his citizen enship. Ohio
allows no such privilege. Neverthe-