The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1918-01-11
MAKING CITIZENS
OF FOREIGN BORN
Uncle Sans Naturalization Bu-
reau Continues Drive on Alien
Population.
EDUCATION IS WEAPON USED
National Government, Federal and
State Courts and Public Schools
Linked Together In the
Campaign.

officials of Uncle Sans bureau Of
naturalization, which is part Of the
department Of labor, Is making de-
termlned effort to hasten the Ameri-
canization of the large foreign popu-
lation Of the United States. The work
that Is being done is outlined In the
following statement issued by the bu-
reau:
approximately one-seventh of the
population of the United States is for
eign-born, with a very large proportion
Ignorant of American ideals and insti-
tutions, and, to that extent, loyal to
the country of their birth. Never In
the history Of the nation has undivided
support been so sorely needed. A
knowledge of American government
and what 1t stands for can only be
gained by the aliens through educa-
ton, but, once understood, loyal allie
glance to the country Of their adoption
inevitably follows. 1t means welding
the heterogeneous masses into one
patriotic body. a..
Last year the public-schOol au-
thorities Of the United States, work
ing in close cooperation with the bu-
reau Of naturalization of the United
States department Of labor, main
tanned night school classes for alien
instruction in approximately 1,700 cit
les, towns and rural communities, To-
Gated in every state In the Union. The
opening Of this years classes was ac-
companied by every assurance Of In
creased attendance and material bet
terment Of the results already obtained
through this stupendous educational
campaign.
Gradual Transformation Expected.
ut is the confident belief of the bu-
reau of naturalization that allen in
structlon will gradually transform this
vast army Of foreigners into an army
of Americans with common ideals,
common hopes, common sentiments
and unadulterated loyalty.
"With the American nation defend
ing the cause Of civilization and hui
manity and taking her place on the
side of righteousness in this world
wide conflict, military preparedness, so
vital to the country's safety, cannot be
possible without citizenship prepared
ness. No one should be permitted to
remain in ignorance of his duty and
responsibility as resident Of the
United States. and this, Of course, ap-
plies particularly to the forelgn-born.
1t is certain that had alien instruction
been more universally extended in the
past, the question of divided allegi-
ance would not have assumed such un-
pleasant prominence after war was de-
clared.
To Increase Productive Capacity.
"The present volume ofenaturaliza-
tion shows that over half million
foreign-born residents annually bring
themselves within the Jurisdiction of
the bureau of naturalization. 1t Is the
plan of the bureau, through the COOP
Grafton of the public schools, with Its
educational movement to change that
portion of the alien body now in a
state of helpless dependence or mere
self-maintenance to state Of produc-
tive capacity.
"The activities of the bureau of nat
uralization show how routine govern
ment agency has been transformed
into a great humanizing force. This
has been accomplished by linking to-
gether the federal and state courts, the
federal government and the state pub
lie schools for the purpose Of extend
ing educational aid to candidates for
citizenship. The work of this bureau
now stands for more than naturaliza-
tion, as the term is generally under.
stood. 1t represents Americanization
in its truest sense.