The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-12-27
EDUCATION FOR
AMERICAS ALIENS
Bureau of Naturalization Plans
Great Campaign.
PRESS WORK WITH veoR
Nearly 100000 Persons Livina Here
stilI Retain Allegiance to Other Ma.
tions--sehools Give instructions to
Adults In Essentials Of American
citIxenship--HeIping Hand to Be
Extended to Every Alien.

Now that the war has ended, with
Its evidence of the solidarity OF
Americans, native and forcign-born
the bureau of naturalization Of the
United States department OF labor
Will increase its educational work
well underway before the war.
An announcement issued by the bu-
reau said there were 17,5O0,OOO alien.
born residents of the United States
and that nearly 12,O0O,OO0 persons 1iy.
Ing here retain allegiance to other ma.
tions. 1t was stated that i'm New
York city alone there were 100000
foreigners who could not speak, read
or write English, speaking some JOG
languages and dialects.
The work of Americnnlzing this
vast number of foreigners who them.
selves or their children are destined
to become full.fiedged Americans is
to be pressed with renewed vigor. In
the last four years the schools have
begun the work Of instructing adults
in the essentials Of American citizen.
ship. This work has been conducted
In 1000 communities, the home cities
of millions Of immigrants. But, the
statement issued by the bureau says
Few Have Applied.
'Thus far the surface has been
barely scratched, for less than two
per cent Of the aliens i'm this country
have applied for citizenship instruc.
ton. The Americanlzation of the 9TH
er 9S per cent is the almost herculean
task the bureau Of naturalization
faces. The, aid of every resident Of
the community must be enlisted in
the work II 1t is to be effective.
Employers Of aliens can aid in the
work by heying their workmen, par.
ticularly those who are deficient in
their knowledge Of English or of
American institutions, enter the eve.
ming citizenship classes at once.
Those who have foreign.born friends
or acquaintances can see to it that
they throw of the foreign influence
by urging them, in friendly manner.
to enroll In one of the classes.
"Ouf fdrEfgn-born soldiers, many of
whom have become naturalized since
entering the army-either in camps
at home or on the fields Of .France-,
will have American homes to return
to, If the bureaus program is carried
out properly here. The relatives and
friends Of these young men can have
the meaning Of Americanizatlon
brought home to them just as the
young men themselves discover it in
the army.
School Doors Opened.
The doors of thousands of schools
are open to the foreigner who sin
,cerely wishes to become an American,
and the teachers will receive him with
a cordial welcome. The schools have
already accomplished great work in
the naturalization program, but there
lis much more to be done. Many 9TH
er schools will be opened in the near
future, 1t is expected.
The government, through it's bu.
reau of naturalization. and in Coop
GRAFTON with the public schools, is ex-
tending u helping hand to every alien
who comes here. If they realize their
opportunity, they will embrace it
gladly. 1t Is the duty Of Americans
to make sure that foreigners under
stand what is being done for them.
The courts are showing thorough
appreciation Of what the bureau and
the schools are doing. for they have
In the last two years recommended
that 75,O00 aliens take the citizenship
courses-more than the total number
of aliens admitted to citizenship in
three yeorS of the last (1ecafle