Gunnison news-champion., 1918-12-06
FOREIGNERS RUSHING TO
BE NATURALIZED NOW

Denver, Colo-"Amcrica for Amer
ca" il 4 cry which Is assuming tangi-
bic form in some parts Of the United
States and the voice is being heard
by tho thousands OF foreigners in the
lg.rT-wuuEtaIn states During the
past few weeks there has been a de-
cIded increase IN the number of decla-
rat8ons Of Intentions filed within the
Limits Of the Denver Naturalization
district, which includes Colorado, New
Mr<ico, Utah, Wyoming and a part of
Idaho.
Fear that they will be sent back
10 the countries of their nativity has
actuated many aliens to step up and
file their first papers" recently. In
some places the clerks of courts have
been swampcd by the foreign-tongue
men appearing, and this rush has re-
suited in holding night sessions in
some places so that the aliens may
file their declarations of intentions
without loss of time from their work.
The feeling that they are to be return
cd to their old country homes seems
to be especially strong among the
Austrians and Italians throughout
Colorado and Utah, especially, though
just where the underground informa-
ton originated cannot be easily trac-
ed. Aliens from war-torn Europe know
taxes and burdens will be heavy in
the homeland and do not wish to re-
turn.
In addition to this fear on the part
of the aliens of being sent back across
the Atlantic on ships which bring the
Yankee soldiers home, the Bureau of
Naturalization is speeding the work
of filing declarations of intention.
The war has had decidedly livening
influence on the part of the foreigners.
Nearly every mining and manufactur-
ing community has reported remark
able sales of Liberty Bonds. War
Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps
among the foreign population 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 a tangible reason
for continuing their residence in the
United States, and feel a closer rela-
tionship with the government.
The change of sentiment on the
part of thousands of aliens is respon-
sible for a drive on the part of the
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 direction of Paul
Armstrong, Chief Naturalization Ex-
aminer, with headquarters in Denver.
and later these activities will be ex-
tended 20 every Industrial and mining
district in the district. Agents are
going to the mines, factories and
plants with blank forms Of declaration
of intention. or first papers" and as
sist the aliens in making these out
correctly and giving dependable ad-
vice. Employers of labor are assist
ing in the work of the government
agents. After helping the aliens at
their place of employment, the natur-
alization agents are arranging with
clerks of court for special times when
the aliens may appear in a 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, s1.OO.
In conjunction with this movement,
the Bureau of Naturalization is also
exerting every possible influence to
have night and day schools establish
ed for adult aliens who are seeking
citizenship, or soon will be. Thous-
ands of classes are now cooperating
with the Bureau of Naturalization, but
it is hoped that classes will be estab-
lished in every community where there
is any considerable number of foreign
ers, and the new text books issued by
this bureau are ding much good to
bring about the desired result.