Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-12
HOUSE CONSIDERS
ALIEN ADMISSION
Bill Proposes to Let Down Bar
riers Against Men Who
Fight.
WAR ON COMMON ENEMY
Slayden Measure Will Permit
Them to Return When
Peace Is Restored.
WAR ON COMMON : ENEMY
IRY Associated pressl


WASHINGTON. May 1.-The double
hazard which aliens risk in going into
tho war on the side of the allied pow
ers Is to be rernedicd by Legislation for
which the legislative ways were
smoothed to-day In the House. A bill
for the purpose, introduced by Repre-
sentative Slaydcn, OF Texas. has the
unanimous backing OF tho Immigration
Committee. and Speaker Clark agreed
to give recognition to-day for mo-
tion to suspend the rules and let the
bill up for Immediate passage.
Tho aliens now face the peril OF be-
Ing killed in baltic or o, being shot
as traitors II captured. II they are
honorably discharged and take OF their
uniforms over there and some months
aftcrward try TO como back into this
country they are liable TO be barred on
tho ground that the. may become
public charges. Chairman Burnett. OF
the Immigration Comuittec. believes
that the immigration law barriers
should be let down in these cases In
the interest of national appreciation OF
patriotism.
When the war began there were
aliens lawfully residing in the United
States, many OF them from Polish ter
ritory under the political control OF
Germany. austria and Russia, as well
as Czecho-Slavakz. also subjects TO the
Austro-Hungarian or German govern
menta. Some of them had declared
their Intentions TO become American
citizens while other had not. although
possibly meaning ultimately 10 be-
come SO.
Many Poles. Czccho- Slovaks AMI
Slavs went TO Europe in 1914 and
joined the forces of Serbia. Britain or
France. to fight the governments that
they regarded as tho opprcssors OF
their people.
Important armies have been formed
out OF these brave ana patriotic people
who abandoned comfort and security
in the United States and other coun-
tries. TO so back 10 Europe TO fight
against their ancient enemies. now be-
come ours" the committee report
says. France has officially recognized
one such organization. The CzechL.
Slovak army has been made part Of
the military forces under the French
high command, although autonomous
and operating under its own flag. Jews.
Armcnians and Syrlans residing in the
United states before April 6, 1917.
when America went into war. are
among the people who Will be benc-
}ted by this resolution"
Aliens here before the United States
declared war on the central powers
and who heretofore have been con-
scripted for service with the United
States Army or who have volunteered
or who may hereafter go into that
army voluntarily or by draft. may be
rcadmitted TO the United States. under
the resolution. II they apply for read
mission within one year after the close
of the war. This class OF aliens will
he permitted TO return motwithstand-
ing they have not declared their pur-
pose to become citizens.
The resolution also authorizes the
return to the United States. within one
year after the end OF the war. OF aliens
residing here prior to April 6. 1917,
who had declared their citizenship in
tentions and who have enlisted 70.
military service with any one OF the
cobelligerents Of the United States in
Slovak, Polish or other independent
forces attached TO the United States
Army. or TO that OF any one of the CO.
Lclligerents of the United States after
being honorably discharged or fur
ioughed abroad by proper military
authority
In nr.cf. the resolution only proposes
10 Sive these aliens the status and
rights they had as lawful residents OF
the United States prior to April 6, 1917,
but in recognition OF their service in
Il cause in which t;.e Americans are
cnSaSod. Ii proposes ~ waive the i'm
migrant mead tax that would other
wise &c collected wk.l they return.
The Immigration comm.tt.e reported il
as IAN act of Justice 20 people whose
services arc valuable and who by asso.
eating themselves with Us. or with the
nl,::3 powers in Europa. incur unusual
peril"