Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-03-12

Roman law still obtains The dual
nationality was alleged to react
against a broader adaptation of Jap,
anese residents in the United States to
American conditions and American
life
Conservatives Opposed.
Representative Japanese predict that
the pending bin will be adopted by
the diet though it may meet with OPP
position in the conservative house of
peers. They explain that although the
existing Japanese law provides for ex-
Ipatriation, one clause of the law rem
ders expatriation practically inopera-
tive because it obliges male Japanese
residents abroad to serve their time In
the Japanese army Thus Japan in no
way released its legal hold on male
Japanese living in foreign lands. This
clause especially affected California
and Hawaii on account of the large
number Of Japanese resident in those
places. The amendment offered in
the diet is believed to be way out of
the difficulty and Is regarded as
compromise measure framed in such
a way as not TO excite. direct opposi-
ton from Japanese army circles. The
amendment gives the parents of Jap
anese children born in the United states
the right to expatriate their child
rem and If this amendment Is accepted
it means that the clause referring to
compulsory military service will not
be operative. 1t indicates that the
Japanese government endorses the
right Of Amcrean-born japanese to
become citizens of the republic With
out any legal obligations to their home
land. This step is regarded as a CON
tribution of Japan to the settlement of
questions involving citizenship and
race between the two countries
The new measure provides that
when a japanese woman by becoming
the wife of a foreigner has acquired
her husbands nationality, she loses
her Japanese nationality.
Provisions of Bill.
The bill provides that in case a Jap
anese subject, who has acquired for
eign nationality by reason of birth in a
foreign country, has domicile in that
country, he may expatriate himself
with the permission of the minister of
state for home affairs. The applica-
ton for the permission shall be made
by the LEGAL representative in case the
person eXpatriating himself is young
er than fifteen years of age. If the
person in question is a minor above
fifteen years of age adjudged incom-
petent, the application can only be
made with the consent of legal rep
resentative or guardian. A step-fath-
err, a step mother or legal mother or
guardian may not make the applica-
ton ~ give consent without the con-
sent OF the family council.
A supplementary provision declares
that the date of the operation of this
law shall be determined by imperial
ordinance.
The fact that a committee of the
house of representatives has ratified
a bill which is of the same purport as
that offered the government has Great
ed the impression that the house will
adopt the governments bill.
the international importance Of the
measure and expresses the opinion
! that its adoption will have a favorable
effect on the position of Japanese in
America. The objection raised by
those Americans exerting themselves
in the interest of the japanese in the
United States that their efforts were
made difficult because Japan retained
its nationality over japanese there is
/ held by writer's to have been reasona-
bic and natural.
Comments of Press.
! Discussing the bill, the Japan Times
said: America is finding to her cost
what dangerous thing is double or
dual nationality, as is seen in the con-
duct of some German Americans since
the outbreak of the war in Europe. In
the latter Instance, the fault may be