The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-30
INDECENT ENEMY
ALIENS WILL BE
PERMITTEDHE
Swiss and Swedish Legations,
for Germany and Austria,
Given Authority
U. S. COOPERATES IN WORK

Washington, D. c., April 3O.-With
the approval and cooperation of the
American government the legations
Of Switzerland and Sweden, represent.
ing respectively German and Austro.
Hungarian interests, have undertaken
to direct relief work among INDECENT
enemy aliens throughout the United
States. Relief will be extended to the
needy families Of informed aliens di.
rect from the legation funds, while to
aid law abiding enemy aliens who
have suffered on account Of their stat.
US national committee of Americans
Is to be organized to cooperate with
the legations and their consular or
fees.
Lansino's Statement.
Secretary Lansing announced the ar.
rangement in this statement:
in the interests of safety and vel.
fare of this country it has been found
necessary from time to time to re-
strict the movements and fields of
employment OF enemy aliens In some
cases these restrictions have worked
hardships on enemy aliens who in all
respects have shown themselves
friendly to the United States, but who
owing to the accident of birth and war
conditions, have been unable to change
their status as such and have of ne.
cessity become objects of charity
Likewise the families of these enemy
aliens whom the government deems
1t advisable to intern are often de-.
prived of their means of livelihood and
they also become dependent on the
charity of Others.
Swedish Legation in Charge.
In order to meet this condition the
legation of Switzerland and the lega-
ton of Sweden, in charge respectively
of German and Austro-H Hungarian int
erests in the United States, have with
the approval and cooperation of this
government undertaken to systematic
and supervise all the relief that may
be given to needy enemy aliens, where.
ever and however situated, throughout
the country. In the case of the in.
termed enemy aliens and their families
the legations have agreed to supply
all the relief from their own funds,
limiting such relief to what is found
after careful investigation to be the
essential minimum.
Committee for Law Abiding.
"The case of the law abiding enemy
aliens has presented a more complex
problem. This it is proposed to meet
by the formation of national com.
mittee composed of merican citizens
which in cooperation with the lega-
tons of Switzerland and Sweden and
the consuis under their Jurisdiction
will investigate all cases of distress
among this class and will control the
collection and distribution of all funds
that may be subscribed for the pur.
pose of their relief. It will, of course,
have local committees working under
it wherever the need of such commit
tees is felt, and will render accounts
Of its activities to the proper author
tiles: r. ~ 80. =. q y,
II feel confident that the intelligent
and controlled relief of enemy aliens
in distress in accordance with 1.-The
proposed methods is a. humanitarian
measure in accord with the spirit in
which we have undertaken to carry
out this war" Ell =:
No Treaty Obligation. ~"
AClO 10 nv OOlA6utAOA AL CAAotAA6
treaties for such treatment of enemy
aliens as is proposed In Germany
and Austria many such have been de.
tanned and most Of them are largely
dependent for support from the food
supplies sent in through the Red
Cross or other organizations.
In the case Of enemy aliens who are
now informed the United States is
liable for the cost Of their mainten.
ance as in the case of any lawbreaker
or suspected. II The. Swedish and Swiss
legations may supply them with some
small articles or foods not provided
by the internment camps administra.
ton
The activities of the legations will
not extend in any way to the compar-
atively few prisoners of war in this
country. The Hague treaties provide
that the cost of thier maintenance
shall be assessed against the enemy
countries upon the conclusion of
peace. a. r..