Evening star., 1926-01-21

Reports have come 1hat many
thousa nds' Of tdlian soldiers VII" had
served In the United states forces in
the World War and then taking their
DISCHARGES IN Europe. hai gone :"
Italy TO visi, their homeland. We're
trapped abroad by the unexpected
passage Of our immigration reStrIc-
tion law and could NOT return TO their
adopted country which they hdd de-
tended.
A bill was introduced simultaneously
in the Senate and House last TUESDAY
bv Senator Reed of FennSNlNanl2 anu
Representative Johnson of South Da-
kota 20 relieve these victims Of en-
cumsrancas and enable them l" re.
uurn. 1t il said IL have sprung from
the American Legion especially from
the most in Rome. The bill has not
The UNQUALIFIED support OF either the
immigration Bureau or the Visa bu-
reau of the Department Of state. at
least 50 far as confirming the status
ties on which the meaSur" Is haseu.
II has been represented ihdt IN
traly alone there arc thus Srdn ndeu
no, less than 5000 veterans. all q,
vhom seek re.ertrv into .>merica
above the Italian quota Of $40 =
wear. These figures arc "ontrsdiCteu
hv th< oficials Of both branches ot
Government having closest t"uch WIN
the subject The Reed-JohnSoh M.
however seakS 10 meet an alleged IN
fairness which may exist aside troh
the statistics.
The measure provides that the
naturalization certificates of all per
sons who served in the United states
ARMY Navy or Marine Corps during
Tho World War and were honorary
discbarsed from such service. ana
whose .naturaliza ton papers were de
tlared invalid by reason OF their race
or place of birth. be now declared
valid. 1t provides further that with
in a period of l. months from date
r.hep this amendments becomes ef-
,ectjye III such aliens who were hon
or.b,v DISCHARGED from the United
S,ates Army. Navy or Marine Corps
90 :, result of services or enrolment
during the World War and who are
otherwise qualified for admission 10
the United States under the law shail
he admitted above the regular quota.
This amendment would give another
vesr's grace to alien soldiers of any
nationality for returning. at tnelf own
EXPENSE There are said 10 pe some
advocates who desire this Government
10 nav the transportation. on the
Ground that it transported other SOL
diers home after the armisuce, and Is
oblicated to transport all back 10
their places of enlistment.
In reply, it is pointed out that the
armistice was eight years ago ana
that no soldier was discharged in Eu-
rope except at his own request, and
not until Is months ago was the
quota law in effect restricting re-entry
of all who so desired. For more than
six wears the door was open, and
while II was natural that foreign-b born
veterans would desire to visit their
old homes and friends. such visits
could hardly be construed 10 cover a
voluntary stay of six years.
X =
AS 10 there being more than $4,000
,xeterans of the American eXpedluon l.
arv forces still in Europe. as ls al
legged, Official statistics from the Wa1
Department indicate that there have
been, only $4,000 applications for the
soldiers bonus from veterans in Eu-
rome OF these, $500 were American
born-mostly descendants of foreign
born parentage Hence, there were
| in the A. F.. +. only IL, 200 foreign
born n-citizens who remained in
| Europe.
! OF these II 200, many have returned
| to America, and many more have de
cided to remain in Europe. All coult
have returned to America withou
legal obstacle prior TO June 5, 1925
six years after the armistice.
AS a further indication of the dis
| tribution in the European countrie:
| Of the total 11.a00 it is reported b,
| the Veterans Bureau that the follow
| ing compensation checks so regularl,
10 wounded Or sick veterans: IL
| France ] 0D:. 1taty.- .37o:- Belgium, IS
British Isles" log. C,ernnanv Z: Austria