New Britain herald., 1918-04-22
U. s. Must Raise
 Standard for Allies


 Speaking as a representative of the Connecticut State Council of Defense, Dr. Peter Roberts, an international Y. M. c. A. worker, took as his sub Ject "Americanization." He men toned the Polish people, the Italians, the Armenians and others who need to be Americanlzed, but then added that he knows there are a goodly number of "Yankoes' who also need to be Americanized in the true sense of the word. II have met some who are not Americans as they should be--as true children of democracy.
 What is America ?" Dr. Peters asked. He then explained that it Is not a place on the map, or any given acreage of territory. It is more spiritual force, a lure to people op- pressed; and to prove the truth and strength of this lure he said that since records were started in 1920 thirty three millions of people from foreign countries have been lured to Amer ica. America stands for Liberty, Freed om and Equality and no matter where a man is born we are all equal as Gods children" the speaker said. He then added that while
 
 in general way they do not neces- sarily practice it and in this connec- tion he declared that the trea tment of the individual is the test of our belief in the sincerity of the Amer ican Constitution. We will never Am ercanize the foreigner until we treat them as men," Dr. Peters said, Continuing, he declared that the first St in 1arip nj "a Is for eigner to learn the English language and, he said, he was pleased to learn that some Connecticut captains of in dustry are having their foreign em ployes taught English on the com pany's time. The second step, the speaker said, is to become identified with the nation as a naturalized citi- zen. He declared that he is strongly in favor of the idea put forth by ex- President Theodore Roosevelt in which he declares that immigration should be restricted by making all aliens coming into this country promise, first to learn English, and second, within five years becoming citizens. If they fail to keep this promise then the boat,' said pr. Peters amid loud applause from his audience
 One of the great effects of this war, Dr. Peters said, will be to make the United States more cautious about granting naturalization in the future. In this connection he said that as g result of the espionage systems of Germany, where Germans who have become naturalized citizens of other countries have turned out to be spies, great French statesman has de- clared that "after this war no more naturalization in France,' Concern ing this Dr. Peters said: II believe the United States will come to exer- else greater care in giving naturaliza- tion to alens.'
 The speaker then told of a number of naturalization scandals he was fa- miliar with and he gave Theodore Roosevelt credit for being instru- mental in changing the naturalization laws to make a repetition of these things impossible. He declared that a number of years ago in St. Louis he knew 1,500 aliens who were nat uralized on the night before election. He also said he knew of an instance in South Scranton, Pa, where the court seal was stolen on the night before an election and the next day many newly "naturalized" citizens voted Such things are a blot on democracy" and Dr. Peters said "the country can thank Roosevelt for rais- ing the standards of naturaliza ton" Numerous other instances were cited by the speaker to show where the honest intent of naturalization falls and he likewise scathinglv condemned the alleged practice of buying foreign votes and just as strenuously opposed the method of some politicians in or ganizing foreign political clubs at election time "When a man sells his vote he strikes at the very founda- tion of democracy" Dr. Peters de- clared In the great task of Amer icanizing the foreigner, Dr. Peters said that the people of this country should help by making him friend. Make a friend of the foreigner If we would give him the franchise and when men are anxious to be natural ized there ought to be men willing to help him out' Dr. Peters averred. As another highly important step in Am ericanization of the foreigner the speaker said the housing conditions in this country should be bettered and the foreigner should be drawn up to American standards by working on his native ideals. Tn conclusion Dr. Peters, in a subtle manner, urged his audience to do it's part toward ac- cepting the foreigner as an equal be- fore God and to help him become an American He said, with very point ed effect which was not lost, St. Peter, at the gates, knew many tongues before he learned English His closing words were: ESQ hadn't we better get acquainted down here below so that when our Father takes us Home you will feel at home-for they. the foreigners, will all be there too."N
 Germany Is TEnSa