The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-12-27
FOR
AMERICAS ALIENS
Bureau of Naturalization Plans
Great Campaign.
PRESS WORK With VGoR
Nearly 100000 Persons Living Here
Still Retain Allegiance to Other Ma.
tions-schools Give Instructions to
Adults In Essentials Of American
citizenship-HeIping Hand to Be
Extended to Every Allen.

Now that the war has ended, with
Its evidence of the solidarity of
Americans, native and foreign-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 17,500,000 alien
born residents of the United States,
and that nearly 100000 persons liv-
ing here retain allegiance to other ma
lions. 1t was stated that In New
York city alone there were 100000
foreigners who could not speak, read
or write English, speaking some 100
languages and dialects.
The work of Americanizing this
vast number Of foreigners who them
selves. or their children are destined
to become full-fedged Americans Is
to be pressed with renewed vlgor. 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 In this country
have applied for citizenship instruc-
ton. The Americanization Of the 9TH
er 80 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 IL it is to be effective.
Employers Of aliens can aid in the
work by having 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 1t that
they throw off the foreign influence
by urging them, in a friendly manner,
to enroll in one Of the classes.
sour foreign-born soldiers, many Of
whom have become naturalized since
entering the army-either Inc 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 Americanization
brought home to them just as the
young men themselves discover 1t in
the army. ~
School Doors Opened.
The doors Of thousands of schools
are open to the foreigner who sim
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
Is much more to be done. Many 9TH
er schools will be opened in the near
future, 1t is expected.
The government, through its bu-
reau of naturalization, and In COOP
Grafton with the public schools, is ex-
tending a helping hand to every alien
who comes here. If they realize their
opportunity, they will embrace 1t
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 $4,000 aliens take the citizenship
courses-more than the total number
Of aliens admitted to citizenship In
three years Of the last decade.