Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-03
ALIEN ENEMIES TO
REGISTER FEB. 4
100000 Unnaturalized Germans
to Be Photographed and
Finger Printed.

Washington, Dec. 30.-Thc week Of Feb.
ruary 4 was set aside by the department
Of justice to-day for registration of the
half million unnaturalized Germans in
the continental United States by police
and postmasters In pursuance Of President
Wilson's alien enemy proclamation direct
ing this action as a means Of minimizing
the danger from enemy sympathizers In
tho United States.
Earlier plans for administering the reg
istration in the eastern cities first and
gradually extending 1t to the entire coun-
try were abandoned because Of the fear
that some Germans might avoid registra.
tlon by moving from district to district.
Registration will involve the gathering
of detailed Information concerning the
business relations and habits Of every
German together with his photograph
and finger prints. After registering he
must carry a certificate card, and may
not change his place Of residence without
approval Of the police or postmaster. Vio-
lation Of the regulations will be punishable
by internment for the war.
Orders do not apply to German women
nor to any persons under u years of age
because these are not classed o. alien
enemies by law. Subjects Of Austria
Hungary are not requested to register.
In announcing the regulations to-day the
department Of justice took care to avoid
creating the impression that the govern
ment looks on each German with sus-
picion.
"Registrants are not be treated as per.
sons of evil disposition" said instructions
to registrars, land the registration Of
flcers are urged to deal with them in q
courteous and friendly manner"
The task will be great in cities where
the German population Is large, and
newspapers and citizens will be asked
to assist. In cities of 5000 or more
population recorded by the 1910 census
list Of which is issued by the depart
ment Of justice the chief of police and
his assistants will administer the regis
tration. In smaller communities and
rural districts, registration will be con-
Quoted by the postmasters and the post
master of the largest office in the local
judicial district, in most States the
equivalent Of county, will be the
chief registration office to gather the
reports from the others and forward
them to the United States marshal and
the department of justice.
Every German is required to 60 to
! the registrar and make out triplicate
dTludVlC HIOTuldtlOu UlduhS duu " AuL
nsh four photographs Of himself-one
for each affidavit and one for his regis.
tration card. The photograph must bear
his signature written across the front
and must not be larger than three inches
| square. 1t must be on thin paper and
have a light background.
Small postoffices not equipped with
finger print apparatus are advised to Dor.
row a small quantity Of printers ink
| and a roller from the town printer and
| to make the impression on the ink spread
| on pane of glass.
One Of the triplicate records Is to be
kept by the registration agents, one sent
to the United States marshal. and one
to the department Of justice at Wash.
ington.
Germans not at their place Of residence
during the week Of February I may be
registered in the district in which they
happen to be. The registration ia undel
the direction Of John Lord O'Brien. spe.
cial assistant to Attorney Genera
Gregory, and a staff Of lawyers, appointed
for war work.