Evening journal., 1917-12-21
LISTING OF GERMANS
TO BEGIN January z
Millions of AflidavitS Re-
quired for Registration
of KaiSer's Subjects
LIFE HISTORY
MUST BE GIVEN

WASHINGTON. Dec. Registration
Of Germans in the United States under
the Presidents enemy alien proclama-
ton. will begin about January ?.
Afldaviis and forms to. he fllled out
by the registered men are now In
course of printing and will soon be
ready. Millions Of them are needed.
In answering questions on these AMI
davits and forms, every German Will
be compelled TO give an intimate pic
ture Of himself and his life history.
The registration will be by no means
nerfunctory. The information that must
be set down will include the date and
place Of birth; the time Of coming to
this country; various addresses In this
country with the place Of present resi-
dence; occupations and activities dur
ing tile entire time Of residence; ma
tivity and description Of parents and
much other information, the nature OF
which will not be diyulged until the
regulations arc ready for publication.
In every suspicious case statements on
amdavts and forms will not be ac-
cepted as conclusive Thousands Of re-
ports from secret agents Of the Gov
country will be used In general
checking up Of such cases.
The Department Of Justice already
has comprehensive records on host Of
enemy aliens whose activities have
been followed since the early days Of
The war by agents Of the Bureau OF In
Nestigation. These same secret agents
will check up registrations that sug-
gest the advisability Of investigation
where comprehensive record is not
already on fle.
Although the proclamation requiring
the registration Of al Germans in the
United states is now a month old Of
ilcials Of The Department Of Justice con-
slider that rapid progress has been made.
There were many difficulties in the
way.
I'm the first place a registering force
had 90 be found. lt was either neces-
s8ry 90 build up a new organization or
utilize existing ones. Use OF the draft
boards was suggested, but rejected on
tho ground that registration by the draft
board might incite unrest and suspicion
that the men registered were to be
forced into the service. There was no
other Federal organization equipped 10
carry on the work.
10 has been determined 20 have the
registration made by the police In every
community where there is a sufficient
police force. In others the work will be
done by postmasters.
Under the regulations contemplated
by John lord OBrien, who is in charge
Of the work for the attorney-general,
those subject 10 registration Will be nut
under the burden Of seeking the regis
lrar. Final details Of the regulations
have not yet been completed by Mr..
OBrien.
The problem. he said. Is an intricate
one The regulations must no condi-
tions found in the congested sections in
New York city as well as those I'm the
most thinly settled township I'm Iowa.
They must meet the situation in every
section and quarter Of the United states
with a two-sided registering force.
Final determination has not been
reached as 10 the punishment 20 be
prescribed for failure TO comply with
the proclamation and The regulations
Registration Of enemy aliens in Can
ada was @ six months task. Mr.. OBrien
Is confident that 70 will be accomplished
IN "a much shorter time In the United
states.
Sending out OF the registration and
afldavit forms during the Christmas
rush might seriously cmharrass the pos
tai service, which IS already greatly
ovcrburdened Consequently they will
not be distributed until after tho holi-
days