The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-06
FIXING WAY FOR ALIENS.
Congress Removing One Danger of Serv-
ice in the War.

Washington, d. c., May 6.-The dou-
bic hazard which aliens risk in going into
the war on the side of the allied powers
is to be remedied by legislation for which
the legislative ways were smoothed to-
day in the House, A bill for the prlr-
pose, introduced by Representative Stay
den, of Texas, has the unanimous back
| ing of the immigration committee, and
Speaker Clark agreed to give recognition
to-day for motion to suspend the rules
and let the bill up for immediate pas
sage.
The aliens now face the peril of being
killed in battle or Of being shot as
ors if captured If they are honora5ly
discharged and take off their uniforms
over there and some months afterw
try to come back into this country they
are liable TO be barred on the ground
that they become public charges. Chair
man Burnett, of the immigration com
mittee, believes that the immigration
law barriers should be let down in these
cases in the interest of national appre-
citation of patriotism.
When the war began there were ,ens
lawfully residing in the United States,
many of them from Polish territory an
der the political control of Germany,
Austria and Russia, as well as Czecho-
Slovaks, also subjects to the Austro-
Hungarian or German governments.
Some of them had declared their inten-
tions to become American citizens while |
Others had not, although possibly mean
ing ultimately to become so.
Many Poles, Cxecho- Sovaks and Slavs |
went to Europe in 1914 and Joined the |
forces of Serbia, Britain or France, TO
fight the governments that they regard |
ed as the oppressors Of their people.
important armies have been formed
out of these brave and patriotic people
who abandoned comfort and security in
the United States and other countries. to
go back to Europe to fight against their
ancient enemies, now become ours the
committee report says. France has oifi-
cially recognized one such organization
The Cxecho-Slavak army has been made
\ part of the military forces under the
French high command, although autono-
nous and operating under its own flag
Jews, Armenians and Syrians residing
II the United States before April s, 1917,
when America went into the war. are
Lmong the people who will be benefited
" this resolution"
Aliens here before the United States
declared war on the Central powers and
Who heretofore have been couseripted
or service with the United States army
r who have volunteered, or who may
GREATER 20 into that army voluntarily
r by draft, may be readmitted to the
'nited States, under the resolution, If
hey apply for admission within one wear
fter the close of the war. This class
aliens viii be permitted to return not
they have not declared
leir purpose to become citizens
The resolution also authorizes the re- ,
Urn to the United States, within one .
ear after the end of the war, of aliens
siding here prior to April 6, 1917. who
I'D declared their citizenship intentions
nd who have enlisted for military serv-
e with any one of the co-belligerents
the United States in the present war,
with the Czecho-Slav, Polish or other
dependent forces attached to the Unit
States army, or to that of any one :
the belligerent of the United ;
.ates after being honorably discharged !
furloughed abroad by proper mill
ry authority.
In brief, the resolution only proposes
give these aliens the status and rights
ey had as lawful residents of the Unit
States prior to April 6, 1917 but, in ;
cognition of their service in a cause :
which the Americans are engaged, it D
opposes to waive the immigrant head
\ that would otherwise be collected
hen they return The immigration com
ittee reported it a. IAN act of Justice 10
ople whose services are valuable and >
10 by assoeiatinc themselves with Us
with the allied powers in Europe, IN D
r unusual peril"