Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-31
UnnaturQlized Germans
In United States To Be
Registered In February

Washington. Dec. 31.-1n
ing. regulations governing the nation
wide registration Of Germans the
week Of February 4 the department
OF justice today issued a
dunn of classes affected.
German men Who have never been
naturalized or who have obtained
be subject to registration, which in
cities of more than 5000 population.
according to the 1910 census. will be
with police and in other communities
with the postmaster. Women are not
affected nor are children under the
age Of fourteen.
Though many former residents Of
Alsace-Lorraine are French by blood
and symp;---hy they are to- be regarded
tory after May 10, 1871. when the
treaty transferring the provinces to
Germany was ratified. The same rule
applies to S%chleswig- I1olstein.
The registration, will not apply to
persons born in this country OF un-
naturalized German parents nor in
Germany OF parents who became
the, person was q minor nor to a man
born. in Germany Of American par
ents:-.
Washington. Dec. 31.-The week of.
February 4 was set aside by the de-
partnent Of justice yesterday for reg
~istration of the half million unnatur-
allied Germans in the continental
United States by police and postmas-
tiers in pursuance Of President Will
sons ssien enemy proclamation di-
recting this action as a means OF min
inlizing the danger from enemy SYM
pathizers in the United States.
Earlier plans for administering the
registration in the eastern cities first
and gradually extending it. to the
country were abandoned because Of
avoid registration by moving from
district to district.
Registration will involve the gath
ering, of. detailed information concern
ing the business. relatives and habits
Of every German together with his
photograph and finger prints. After
registering he must carry n certifi-
cate card, and may not change his
place of residence without approval
ton of the regulations will be punish
able by internment for the war.
Women Are Exempt.
The orders do not apply to German
women, nor to any persons Under II.
years Of age. because these are not
classed as alien enemies by law. Sub
jects Of Austria Hungary are not re-
quired to register.
In announcing the regulations tha
department of justice took care ia
avoid creatin~ the impression of that
the government looks on each Ger
man with suspicion.
"Registrants ore. not to be treated
az persons of evil disposition said
the instructions to ~registrantz. land
the registration officers are urged to
deal with them in a courteous and
friendly manner"
Of1ccrs to Do Work.
+ Police, federal marshals and agents,
and postal authorities r. expected to
cooperate. in the roundup and to in-
vestigate and check up each fact re-
ported by the registrants. Certificate
cards will be issued only after a com
plete verification Is made. The infor-
nation obtained, will be Of distinct
value in running down enemy plots
and propaganda, and in discovering
what Germans bear close watching.
The task will be great in cities where
the German population is large, and
newspapers and citizens will be asked
to assist.
IN, cities OF 5000 or more popula-