New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-12-06
ALIENS BEING
NATURAL|zED At
MORE RAPID RATE
FEAR OF BEING SENT BACK
TO EUROPE CAUSES THEM
TO GET BUSY WITH THEIR
FIRST CITIZENSHIP PA.
PERS

Denver, Colo, Dec. a-"Americs
for Americans" is a cry which is
assuming tangible form in some
parts of the United States. And
the voice is being heard by the
thousands Of foreigners in the Inter-
mountain states, During the last few
crease in the number Of declarations
OF intention filed within the limits
of the Denver Naturalization dis
trict which includes Colorado, New
Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and part
OF Idaho.
Fear that they will be sent back
TO the countries of their nativity
has actuated many aliens to step up
and file their First papers" recent.
ly. In some places the clerks Of
courts have been swamped by the
foreign-tongued men appearing. and
this rush has resulted in holding
night sessions in some places SO
that the aliens may file their declar-
ations of intention without loss Of
time from their work. The feeling
that they are to be returned to
their old country homes seems to be
especially strong among the Aus
trians and Italians throughout
Colorado and Utah, especially.
though just where the under ground
information originated cannot easi-
ly be traced. Aliens from war-torn
Europe know taxes and burdens will
be heavy in the homeland and do
not wish to return.
In addition to this fear on the
part of the aliens of being sent back
across the Atlantic on ships which
bring Yankee soldiers back home.
the Bureau OF Naturalization is
speeding tip the work of filing de-
clarations OF intention The war
has had a decidedly livening influ-
ence on the part of the foreigners
Nearly every mining and manufac-
turing community has reported re-
markable sales OF Liberty Loan
bonds, War Savings Stamps and
Thrift Stamps among the foreign
populations and also report large
contributions to the Red Cross and
the various war work activities when
the several drives have been made.
The result is that the foreigners
have tangible reason for continu.
ing their residence in the United
States, and feel a closer relation
ship with the Government.
This change in sentiment on the
part OF thousands of aliens is res
ponsble for drive on the part Of
agents of the Bureau of Naturaliza-
ton to assist the aliens who desire
to take out their first papers" or
who desire to become naturalized.
Agents are now working among the
industrial plants of Denver. Pueblo
and Salt Lake City, under the direc-
ton of Paul Armstrong. Chief Ma
turalization Examiner, with head.
quarters in Denver, and later these
activities will be extended to every
and mining district In tho
district. Agents are going to the
mines, factories and plants with
blank forms of declarations of in
tention. or first papers. and assist
the aliens in making these out COR
rectly and giving dependable ad-
vice. Employers of labor are assist
ing in the work of the Government
agents. After helping the aliens al
the places of employment, the ma
Iuralization agents are arranging
with clerks of court for special times
when the aliens may appear in
body and be sworn in the office of
the clerk to these declarations Of
intention. The filing fee remains
The same as in the past 81.
In conjunction with this movement.
he Bureau of Naturalization is also
rxerting every possible influence to
have night and day schools estab-
ished for adult aliens who are seek
ing citizenship, or soon will be.
Thousands Of classes are now CO.
with the Bureau of Ma
turalization, but il is hoped that
classes will be established in every
where there is any con-
siderable number of foreigners. and
the new textbooks issued by this
Bureau are doing much to bring about
this desired result.