Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-19

4ff4t Since the beginning Oh lne great WAT III
Wugust. 1914. more than 10000 aliens in
che Philadelphia district have applied for
s1ftizenship.
e,3 Prior to the war three-fifths of the ap-
q ytications for citizenship were from Jews.
But when the nations of Europe clashed
,applications of other nationalities began
4 freatly to outnumber those Of the Jews.
{ft'Victories. defeats, conscription, diplo-
matte ruptures and imperial edicts have
been some of the forces that have been
3 Responsible for great waves of naturaliza-
lion since the beginning OF the war.
|ss In hundred different ways the naturali-
Sation situation has demonstrated that the
Emitted States is far from being immune
from Old World influence despite the sup
1dsed barrier of 5000 miles of Atlantic
Ocean.
Every great crisis in the bellgerent coun-
5Hries has been felt here in the instantaneous
Sffect they have had on our vast alien
stipulation. Each Of these crises has proved
= powerful force in molding the destiny
tof the United states in detaching thou
6ands from the alien body and adding them
10 our citizenship.
~ When conscripton was inaugurated in the
British empire the effect was immediate
tupon British subjects in the Philadelphia
district In great numbers they flocked to
the Naturalization Bureau in the Federal
Duilding, starting the machinery which
would make them citizens of the United
0fates. After this country severed diplo-
matte relations with Germany there was
Tremendous inpourng of citizenship appli-
iGations from subjects of the Central Powers
.of Europe Since February 1 more than
eiehty per cent of applications filed were by
germans, Austrians and Hungarians.
S 1t has been charged in certain quarters
4hAt the present rush to naturalization
means merely that the foreigner in Amer
lea wishes to dodge the discrimination
which might be shown against him in the
uyent of hostilities.
1f England's experience with the alien
bAn be applied to the United States. Of
11cials admit that the outlook is not very
Might. officials i'm England say they have
Uncovered that enemy aliens who intend
- remain in the service of their own Gov
ernment always take out naturalization
papers. High officials in England contend
that the naturalized alien spy is today one
a. the most dangerous enemies to the Brit
nh Government.
Z Indeed, Englands experience with the
naturalzed alien has been so sad that that
country has provided a summary method
Tor the revocation Of a naturalization GER
tihcate. The French Government is also
eonsidering law of this, kind.
SF Officials and prominent citizens of this
country who question the patriotic i'm
pulses" of the thousands who are applying
Tor citizenship at this critical time in the
nations history. are urging that protective
measures be taken against aliens who
might not be sincere in their allegiance to |
the United States. They point out that |
this country has a larger alien population |
than any other in the world. Against dan !
9ers of misuse of citizenship, 1t is urged |
mat authority should be given to revoke |
after the manner of the pro- |
yiAions in the British aliens act. In addi- |
fton II Is urged, in the event of war. that |
III undesirable aliens be rounded up into |
eefention camps, and that all resident |
91iens lie removed from the vicinity OF
nevaI and army bases, munition plants.
grbmarine bases, coaling stations and all
Dlaces connected with the national defense
IT. is also suggested that the Postoffice
Department be empowered TO effect a regis
ration of all resident aliens from countries
hostile to the Government. This, 1t is
pcinted out, would make II easy in case
Df necessity. TO sequester undesirabes and
Dxamine their homes for arms and explo-
Ufyes
x advocates of these precautions against
undesirable aliens hold up the foreign policy
aid down by Germany as an argument
hat the alien question must be seriously |
,onsidered. 1t has long been suspected
hat system of German espionage has been
in the United States by resi-
lent aliens II is known that aliens and
oreign-sympathizing citizens have been
lctive in the destruction of muntion plants |
y obstructing commerce-carrying vessels
md avenues of foreign trade. The trend
n international events has shown that Ger
many expects resident aliens to cripple the
|ountry of their domicile in the hour of a
nationai crisis by the organization Of in
ruptrial strikes and by stirring up dissatis-
1action among the people. Indeed officials
d close touch with the situation contend
he Imperial Government OF Germany ex-
Dects its subjects who are residents In other
'Duntries to engage in murder and assassl-
|etion to further the cause of, the Father
md.
Y The EVENING LEDGER tomorrow will give
fclose up of the motives of some Of the
rmy of aliens who have applied for citizen
hip since the war began. 1t will be shown
Fhether these men have applied for citizen
Mp from patriotic or from selfish or'sinister
3otiyes
.fWhat these men have TO say will throw
II Interesting sidelight on the alien situa-
~ IN the United States as compared with
~ situation in England.