New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-06-15
M aking Hawaiians
Into U. S. Citizens
A Complex Problem
Job Finally Accomplished
in Spite of Obstacles
Raised by Clashing Pre-
negatives of Many Bureaus

WASHINGTON, June lin Hawaii
almost as many agencies have, in re-
cent months, aided the preparation of
the foreign born for citizenship as
there are keys to Baldpate." To be
exact, it takes the judge of the United
States District Court, the Naturaliza-
ton Bureau of the Department of
Labor, the superintendent of public in
struction of Hawaii, the military au-
thorities, the National War Work
Council, the Y. M. G. A of the army
and navy-and the future citizens
themselves.
The circumstances, to be sure, were
unusual. The act of May 9, 1918-the
Soldier Naturalization Act--made near
ly 1000 aliens eligible to cit
izenship, large portion of whom were
lacking in any ability to speak our
language. They needed to be trained
to know something of the language,
institutions, ideals, of this country.
But there was no machinery for such
an educational crush order" The
machinery had to be made before it
could be set in motion. This condi-
ton was disclosed by the study of
the situation made by the naturaliza-
ton examiner of the Department of
Labor sent to Hawaii to take charge
of the soldier naturalization,
Many Obstacles Faced
The situation was complex. The
schools were under the supervision of
the Superintendent of Public Instruc~
ton. The supervision of citizenship
requirements was the duty of the Blu
reau of Naturalization. The embryo
citizens were subject to the jurisdic-
ton of the military commanders in
various camps. There was no money
to pay the salaries of teachers and
the Legislature failed to appropriate
the amount.
To accomplish anything in the short
time before naturalization proceed
ings 1t would be necessary to have the
men taught in several shifts during
the day. To do this it would be neces-
sary to have men teachers stationed
at the camps that were too remote
from Honolulu to allow residence in
the city; the teachers would thus,
while under civilian direction, be resi-
dents in camp. The general in charge
of the Hawaiian division refused to
allow this arrangement unless instruc-
lions came from Washington. 1t will
be acknowledged that the situation
presented some difficulties. There was
need of all the seven keys to citizen
ship.
Fortunately, the naturalization ex-
amner was a man of resource and
energy, and the superintendent of pub
lie instruction was not only a man of
scholarly attainments, but an able ex-
ecutlVe, with grasp of the situation.
Together the two solved the problem.
Moreover, the military situation
Strengthened out when instructions
were received from Washington au
thorizing the commander of the Ha-
Waiian Department to allow establish
ment of classes under nominal super
vision of the commanding officer in
each camp.
Funds and Men Obtained
The National War Work Council of
Hawaii was persuaded to furnish the
FUNDS for the pay of teachers en-
gagged in the work. The need of men
with some experience Of this kind of
work was met by the Y. NJ. G. A.. who
gave the services Of their field secre-
taries; commissioned officers were
also used for the purpose. The mill
tary authorities allowed the man time
on to attend the classes. The men
themselves lent themselves lovallv to
the project.
All this spirit Of cooperation was
brought about by the strong desire of
| everyone concerned to give the men so
| hurriedly made citizens a real training
70 prepare them for the duties and
privileges Of citizenship. Responsible
as 1t 49, by the act of May 9, 1918, for
promoting instruction and training in
citizenship responsibilities Of ami
cants for citizenship" the Bureau of
Naturalization inspired, organized and
directed the various cooperating agen-
cies. thousand text books, published
and distributed free Of charge to stu
dents in citizenship classes, were sent
to Hawaii to be used by the soldier
students.
AS a. result of this efficient conce,-
tration of effort, at least 1000 aliens
fho ~