Evening star., 1928-04-12

Everybody has read-or ought to
read-the story of "A Man Without a
Country" But has anybody ever heard
of the boy with two countries, one OF
which Is the United States, barred
from the Land of the Free and the
Home of the Brave because he had
been forced into the Italian army
against his will? His father had left
Italy, many years before the son was
born, without doing his military stunt.
and had become naturalized Ameri-
can This victim OF dual citizenship
so called-tfe son. was born in Pitts
burgh and was 18 years old when his
tragedy occurred.
In the United States we accept birth.
even of an Oriental occurring upon
American soil. as qualifying the native
TO American citizenship rights, though
his parents are Chinese or japanese.
Or a baby of American parentage. born
in Italy. Mexico or India. is recognized
as American If he so elects when he
becomes of age, or If his parents, tenn
porarily residing abroad-aS mission
aries or for business reaSonS-So deSig-
nate during his minority. But If such
election be neglected. We make no claim
to his allegiance.
Not all countries are so liberal as
that. in either disnliSSing claims upon
would-be expatriation citizens or in
permitting foreigners born within their
jurisdiction to select their own ale
glance. We fought Great Britain in
the War of 1912, however, to maintain
the sanctity OF American citizenship
as we finally defined it. But now take
the case OF MuSsoliniland. for example
of today's international controversy
upon jurisdiction:
Representative Clyde NJ. Kelly OF
PENNSYLVANIA tells the story. in support
OF his House joint resolution No. 1876,
Authorizing the President TO negotiate
with other nations for agreements and
treaties for the protection Of American
citizens of foreign birth or parentage.
from liability to military service in
other countries"
Mr.. Kelly cites the case of one Of his
constituentS-the case OF boy who was
born in Pittsburgh, and who lived there
with his father and mother until he
was few years old. The father was
naturalized American (of italian BIRTH,
whose naturalization made the wife also
an American citizen. The naturaliZa-
ton had been perfected before the child
was born.
When the boy was young. the mother
was taken Ill and returned TO Italy with
the child. the father remaining here.
There was no deSertiOn and no divorce.
but the mother remained with the child
In Italy until the boy was Is years old.
when he desired TO rejoin his father IN
Pittsburgh. On his way 70 the Amert-
can consul to get his passport as ma
tive American. he was arrested by 1taI-
Ian military authority and although he
appealed To the American consul. that
representative told him he could not
evade military duty TO Italy, He was
forced into the italian army and served
two years. at the end of which he came
TO Pittsburgh and was there told that
he had forfeited his rights as an Amer
lean of native birth by swearing ale
glance 10 Italy upon entering the Italian
army. After long investigation. the Sec
retary OF Labor ruled that as the boy
had gone into foreign service under
duresS, his oath of allegiance should
not deprive him of his native American
rights.
1T was a very technical matter" said
Representative Kelly, adding; 1t seems
to me that this Is an international farce.
II We have no power to protect our citi-
2enShip rights. We may as well have II
understood In some places.
the steel corporations state in their ad-
vertisements that they will employ clti-
gens Of the United States only. In that
and in other ways, We are urging them
10 become citizens of the United States,
and then there comes a fun realization
on the part of these men that their eiti-
zenship affords them no protection
whatever"
Italy and Greece are the most trouble
some in this matter but most countries
adhere to the same theories of citizen
ship.
Those countries so back to the early
days, and they have the feudal idea,
says MIR. Kelly. that one who Is born
on the soil remains ON the soil"
Yes, perhaps. but that does not seem
TO be the idea III italy or Greece. II IL
chances to be American soil, where the
descendant Of parents Of foreign birth
brings into life u native American.
Other cases of native Americans who
dare not visit Italy. lest they be Seixed
there for military duty. haNs been cited,
including that Of one born at Brad
dock. Pa, Of naturalixed Italian par
entS, lie lived in PENNSYLVANIA and
became a prosperous business man Of
so years Of age. Certain property in
and he desired Ia So there
To ! htect his interests. but was warned
that In Government could not protect
him from Italian military duty~a born
American,
Representative La Guardia of New
York. who was formerly an American
consul In Italy. verites these eases with
instances IN his own official experience
Our FIRST war. after the successful
War of Independence, Was fought in
ldaa with franee~~with the French
Reds~to maintain our American SOW
ereignty and protection Of American
life III property,
More particularly was this principle
ot the right et government to Seiae
and impress an American into It's own
military or naval service involved In The
acts of Great hritaiu, which finally led
b. our War Of isls,
John Adams previously President
Of the United States In laNa wrots
a series of letters, IN which he
dlseussssi tAe British claims Of the right