Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-31
ALF-M|LL|ON GERMANS
REGISTERED IN FEBRUARY
Department Of Justice Sets Aside
Week OF February 4 for Enforc-
ing Alien Enemy Regulations.
ORDER FRIENDLY TREATMENT
Rcgistrants to 30 Dealt With Court.
cousIy by Policc-AlI to &c Pro-
tographed and Finger prints
Takcn-Carl Index of All.
ORDER FRIENDLY TREATMENT
1Rv Associated preas.l

WASHINGTON, December 60. = The
week OF February 4 was set aside by
the Department OF Justice to-day for
registration OF the 100000 unnaturalizcd
Germans in continental United states
by police and postmastcrs in pursu-
ancc of President Wilson's alien enemy
procla nation directing this action as
means OF minimizing the danger from
enemy sympathizcrs in the United
states.
Earlier plans for administering the
regulation in tho Eastern cities first,
and gradually extending it TO the en-
tire country were abandoned because
OF the fear that some Germans might
avoid registration by moving from dis
trict 10 district.
Registration will involve the gather
ing OF detailed information concerning
the business, relatives and habits of
every German, together with his photo
! graph and finger prints. After regis
tcrinS he must carry certificate card,
and may not change his place OF resi-
dcncc without approval OF the police
I or postmaster. Viola ton of the rcgu-
/ lations will be punishable by intern
! mcut for the war.
| The orders do not apply to German
women, nor to any persons under four
teen years of age, because these are not
classed as alien enemies by law. Sub
jects OF Austria Hungary arc not re-
quircd to register.
ALL GERMANS NOT
REGARDED SUSPICIoCSLY
In announcing tho regulations TO day.
the Department OF Justice took care to
avoid creating the impression that the
government looks on each German with
suspicion.
''Rcsistrants are not TO be treated
as persons of evil disposition" said
instructions TO registrars. and the reg
istraton officials arc required TO deal
with them in a courteous and friendly
manner"
Police, Federal marchals and agents
and postal authorities are expected &c
co operate in the roundup during reg
istration week, and to investigate and
check up each fac, reported by tho
rcgistrants. Certificate cards will be
issued only after a complete veriiica
tion is made.
The information obtained will be Of
distinct value to officials in running
down enemy plots and propaganda. ano
in discovering what Germans bear los,
watching. The task will be great II
cities where the German population /.
large. rad newspapers and citizens vii
! he asked to assist.
In cities OF 5000 or more popula ;ioI
recorded by the 1910 census. n list o
which is issued by the Department o
Justice, the chief of police and hi
assistants Will administer the registra
ton. In smaller communities and rura
districts. registration VIII he conductc,
BY the postnastcrs, and the postmaste
: Of the largest Office in the local jude
district. in most States the cQuivalen
OF u county, Will be the chief rcSistrl
ton officer to gather reports from tn
: others and forward them TO tho Unite
o states marshal and the Department 0
. Justice. In most cities the work vii
r be done by precincts.
\