Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-22
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL y. COLLINS.

A leading Fascist proposed, q few
day ago, that in recognizing the
Italian Senate and Chamber of Dep
uties recognition should be given to
all Italians residing in foreign coun.
tries by giving them the privilege of
electing their representatives to the
two legislative bodies governing Italy.
1t is novel plan, to Italianize the
world, yet It appears quite in harmony
with the Fascist idea that emigrants
from Italy retain their Italian citizen
ship. regardless Of their status in for.
eign lands.
In contrast with that dual citizen
ship perversion, there is the wonderful
work throughout America, since the
World War, to Americanize foreigners
living under our flag. and encourage
them to become American citizens,
not only in naturalization legal
processes, but In spirit and sincerity.
The d. A. r. Memorial Hall last Sat.
urday evening contained one of the
most significant gatherings ever as
sembled in this country. yet there was
hardly a score Of native Americans
there to witness the revolutionary
scene. There were hundreds Of aliens
european and Asiatic) outshining in
their enthusiasm and real knowledge
OF what America means--many native
sons and daughters.
1t was the annual graduating exer.
cises OF the Americanization School,
which is part of the regular public
school system of Washington.
y So
The program contained two most
novel features-the actual teaching of
a class In the principles Of the Amer
lean Government and the actual test
examination Of graduate-applicants
for full citizenship. A certificate from
this school Is accepted by our courts
as proof Of fitness for citizenship, but
In this case the Government examiner
did the testing before the audience.
There We're high officials present.
Chief Justice Mccoy Of the District
Supreme Court presided, and speeches
were made by Labor Secretary Davis
and other officials Of the Department
of Labor. Patriotism was the keynote,
but the overtones were those Of actual
comprehension Of American spirit and
organization.
1t made a native prouder than ever
to be able to answer, as did st. Paul,
But I am Roman born"
1t has always been the practice of
conquerors of territory to decree the
adjustment of the enemy's language
in the conquered domain, so as to
force suppression of lingering hopes
of release from the conqueror and to
absorb the new people. Germany
tried 1t in Alsace and Lorraine. Rus.
STA enforced it in Finland. But the
United States has never shown much
concern as to what speech Is spoken
by its immigrants. Is not this the
melting pot" of civilization? Do we
not cherish free speech" and a free
press? Why worry because some.
body talks the tongues of Babel?
That seemed to many an idle ques-
ton until the renaissance following
the crisis of the World War, which
crisis brought sharp awakening.
Conditions that were unbelievable
were disclosed in many regions, not
merely in the slums Of the metrop.
discs, but throughout the country.
We found regions where half the
people were too illiterate to read or
write in any language. We found
know what Congress meant, or who
appointed the President. We found
communities where nobody knew
English, where all schooling was
given in a foreign language with no
bearing upon our ideals Of education
or loyalty to America. The schools
were controlled by churches, whose
membership, although mostly born
in America, could not comprehend an
English sermon. 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner" was never sung in such
schools, but the "Wacht am Rhein"
and other national hymns of the
Fatherlands were taught and sung
daily. All instruction was given In
German or other foreign languages.
And that was America!
\ \ X X
When this situation dawned upon
American leaders In 1917 an effort.