Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-25
MANY OF FOREIGN
BIRTH STUDY LAWS
Citizenship Status, in Doubt, Is
Cause of Steady Stream of
Anxious Inquiries.
NOVEL POINTS ARE RAISED

This is a moment when residents in
the United States are beginning to be
concerned about their citizenship
status. Not only are thousands of Ger
mans and Austrians taking out their
first papers. but many others of vari-
GUS nationalities. whose circumstances
are in some sort peculiar. are anxious
to md out just where they stand. AS
result, The Evening Star information
bureau is in receipt of a veritable
stream of inquiries from people of this
class. who have never given thought
to their status before. Some inter-
esting. points are raised.
Born of Alien Parents.
An American born man of British
parents, whose father never natural
lied in this country. wishes to know
If he can be treated as a British sub
ject If he returns to England. The
bureau replies that it will be neces-
sary for him to register as an Ameri-
can citizen before the American con-
sui. otherwise he will be classed as a
British subject.
Another man was born of German
parents on board vessel bound for
the United States. and has lived here
ever since. His father has never be-
come naturaliZed. 1t will be necessary
for him to take out citizenship papers
in this country before he becomes an
American citizen.
Another man took out his first papers
under an assumed name and wants to
know II they are valid. Still another
British subject wishes to find out IL
a declaration of intention to be natural
lied in the Tinted States sufficient
to give him the protection of the gov
eminent when he goes abroad. In this
latter case the bureau replies that.
until final papers have been granted,
the man in question cannot claim the
protection of this government abroad.
Difference in Laws.
American children of foreign
parents are classed as American citizens
in this country whether the father has
become naturaliZed or not, but the
countries of which their parents are
native do not always SO regard them.
Children of American parents are
American citizens, wherever born, so
long as the father retains American
citizenship.
Among other questions answered
were the following:
What are the relative powers of the
President of the United States and the
German kaiser in the matter of declar-
ing war?
Answer-The President has no power
to declare war. This is vested in
Congress. The kaiser has the power
to declare defensive" war on his
own authority, but must consult the
reichstag before declaring an often
sive" war. Since in warfare the offense
is usually the best defense. this dis
tinction cannot always be clearly
drawn.
Devices for Use in Warfare.
To what branch of the government
should ideas for devices to be used in
naval warfare be submitted?
Answer-Inventions should be offered
to the chief of the bureau of construc-
ton and repair. All such offers are
given proper consideration by this bu-
reau.
Can you give me brief sketch of
the life of Pancho Villa?
Answer-Nilla was born. forty years
ago. at Las Moves. Mexico. He became
an outlaw at an early age, and there
was price on his head under DiaZ
has little education today. When
Madero revolted. Villa (whose real
name is Doroteo Arango) offered his
services TO the revolution, in return
for pardon. AS he was. by that time.
a leader of some influence. the offer
was accepted. He fought with Madero.
and rose in power. until at one time
he was the most influential figure in
northern Mexico. The dispatch of"the
American punitive expedition had the