The Cordova daily times., 1922-12-06
LAPS IN HAWAII AT WITS EllD|S
 POLITICALLY

WASHINGTON, Dec. e.-American citizens born in Hawaii of Japan ese percentage are complaining that they are up against an unbeatable game. a sort of Heads, I win; tails, you lose" proposition. Two documents just received here from Honolulu emphasize the seriousness of the problem presented by the anomaly of so-called dual citizenship, which is increasing daily with the growth of the Hawaiian born Japan csc population in the territory. The first is public statement issued by the Hawaiian Evangelical Association expressing it's views as to how Japanese-Americans in Ha- waii should conduct themselves The second is bitter article appearing in the Hawaii Hichi, a Japanese newspaper, bearing on points raised by the Evangelical Association. A translation of the newspaper article has been made by the office of the Attorney-General of the territory.
 The text of the Evangelical state ment follows, in part: &
 "The difficulty confronting the Japanese of Hawaii in assuming their full responsibility as citizens of America is not easy for them to overcome.
 Can't Prove Birth
 "The first obstacle often arises over proof of the fact of their birth in Hawaii under the American flag.
 Since 1896 there has been sta ute making it the duty of the parent, without cost to the parent, withon thirty days after the birth of child, to register the fact of birth and get certified copy. But, because this law has not been vigorously enforced by the territorial officials, it is un- known to many residents of Ha-
 Twenty years ago the Japanese in Hawaii considered their residence here temporary sojouyn. Many took no steps to record the birth of their children. ...
 "The result is that today it is not an easy matter for Hawaiian-born Japanese to prove that they were born under the American flag.
 Again, there has been strong feeling among many of the older Japanese that their children, though born in Hawaii, are still Japanese subjects.
 Happily for us, this feeling is be- ing displaced by the conviction that American-born Japanese should be titled to certain definite rights under the American Constitution. Dual Citizenship
 Nevertheless, this still remains a difficulty which is faced by Amer |ican-born Japanese. Many of them receive calls to return to military service in Japan. Some respond although American-born.
 "We have confidence our National government in Washington and the Imperial Japanese government at Tokio can find way out of the (dual citizenship anomaly. .' The article from the Hochi, as translated for the Attorney-General follows, in part:
 "The anti-Japanese movement, which is being harped upon so loud ly today, is just the opposite of what was advocated and urged ten years lago. Ten years ago Japanese were charged with having no interest in local politics or problems-hence an excellent proof of their opposition to Americanization.
 eff Hawaiian-born Japanese have a real desire to become good Amer Iican citizens they would voluntarily cast their votes and elect good men for office. They are expected to exercise their right of American citizenship. Anyone who refuses to exercise his right is not entitled to be an American citizen. Among the Japanese there are great masses of Hawaiian-born children. By the ac- cident of their birth they are Amer ican citizens. But only few are using their franchise. proof that they do not have any qualification for American citizenship. This Is the basis of the anti-Japanese argu