The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-01-14
DEPORTATION OF
SLACKERS OPPOSED
NORWEGIAN CONSUL OBJECTS TO
jones BILL THAT WOULD SEND
THEM HOME

WASHING lON.-At the instance
of the Norwegian government the
United States department of state has
undertaken to defeat the legislation
proposed by Senator Jones to deport
alien slackers. Norway fearful that
some of her subjects in this country
may be affected, opposes the bill, and
with ready compliance the state de-
partment indorses Norway's views 1t
has called upon Senator Jones to
cease his efforts to secure enactment
OF the bill. Senator Jones declines
to quit.
On December 20 H. Bryan, Norweg-
ian minister to this capital, wrote to
Acting Secretary Frank L. Polk call
ing his attention to the Jones bill ito
eXpel and exclude from the United
States alians who, to escape military
service, have withdrawn their decla-
rations of intention to become, citi
zens.aS
Calls 1t Punishment.
1T would seem to establish a kind
of punishment for aliens who ayailed
themselves of the right guaranteed to
them by American legislation to claim
discharge from the American army"
wrote Mr.. Bryn, land as it appears
that no mention of such subsequent
punishment is made either in the army
appropriation act of July 8, 1918, or in
general orders of October 16, 1918,
aliens who acted in accordance with
said regulations could not possibly ex-
pect that such drastic action should
be taken against them merely because
they availed themselves of their right
to be discharged from the American
army.
"In submitting the above to your
kind consideration l venture to repeat
the request made in my notes of No
vember 25 last that no unwarranted
hardships be made on Norwegian citi
zens who have preferred to withdraw
their intention papers and to remain
Norwegian citizens"
Letter Forwarded to Jones
This letter Mr.. Polk forwarded to
Senator Jones this week with letter
in which he said
"In transmitting this enclosure |
beg at the same time to state that the
department feels hat the enactment |
of law of his characer would be
looked upon with disfavor by foreign |
governments whose citizens or sub
jects might be affected thereby and |
would doubtless prove embarrassing
to this government in its relations
with such foreign governments.
am, therefore, taking the liberty of
expressing the hope that, in the light
of this situation, you may feel disin-
clned to press the matter
"a letter similar to this has been
addressed to the chairman of the com
mittee on immigration, to which 1t
H. l. hxr a
senate"
Regrets Attitude, Says Jones.
Discussing this correspondence,
Senator Jones said:
81 regret very much the attitude of
the state department regarding my
bill for deporting aliens who with
drew their declarations to become
citizens in order to escape service in
the army. Such men are not desirable
anywhere. Their conduct
shows that their native country can
not depend upon them in case OF
trouble. The question as to who shall
be allowed to stay in this country is
purely a domestic one. We ought to !
settle it for our own interest, and. no
other country should be permitted TO
dictate our policy.
THOUSANDS VI lllCll vi IiiC ooiAiC ~ | :
tionality as those who cravenly with
drew their declarations of citizenship
have proven their undivided loyalty to :
the country of their choice, and many
of them waived all exemption, even
in cases where they had not taken out !
their first papers. They were willing
to fight for the country that meant
protection, comfort and liberty to
.heg. They will hold in contempt
heir countrymen who showed them
selves so lacking in manhood and pa
.riotism
Will Work for Enactment. .
"The wishes of the American people, i
'ather than the representations OF a ;
'oreign power that must itself hold
hese slackers in contempt, should de-
our action in matter of this II
lind, and especially so at time like
his, when so many of our people are d
Mourning the death or manning OIL =,
heir loved ones. Congress may not :.
,ass this measure over the objection u
If the state department, but l feel ! !
disposed to do all that | can toward a
is passage" g :,