The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-06-11
Citizen or AutOmaton?
christian Science Monitor)

N4CAl OAAV
The persistent refusal Of American citizenship to
worthy applicants who decline to pledge themselves In
an issue the solution of which should no longer be left
to the fiat and p~rejudices Of the individual Judge. The
number of cases in which prospective citizens have been
spurned because of their insistence on the freedom OF the
individual conscience in this matter of war has been
continually mounting. and surely the time has come
when both the legal Justice and social wisdom of such
a policy should be debated and determined by the peo-
pie themselves.
Let us examine one Of the latest cases-a case which
illustrates almost too clearly the lengths to which dis
tortion of the requirements for American citizenship is
being carried. Here we have a Judge questioning an ap-
pncant for citizenship and seeking to determine. one
would suppose, whether this applicant is honestly at
tached to the ideals of the constitution of the United
States. Following is part of the conversations:
Judge-Supposing the United States engaged in a
war that you considered was wrong. what would be
your attitude?
Applicant would consider it my duty to protect
and defend democracy.
Judge-But supposing. to take a concrete case.
California wanted more territory and decided to
seize some in Mexico and every man was drafted for
some form of service, would you object or be loyal?
Applicant do not believe the United States would
engage in such a war.
Judge-I do not want any conditions. Under such
circumstances, a war of aggression. would you object?
Applicant-1n all probability I would. I would
first have to consider my duty to God and to hu-
manity.
der any and every condition to the doctrine, My
country right or wrong, my country?
Appicant-No.
Judge Then you cannot be admitted,
What a travesty upon the ideals of American citizen
ship are these questions!
Remember that under the pact of Paris-which is part
of the law Of the land-thc United States government
has renowned war as an instrument of national policy.
and has therefore renowned wars of aggression. Yet
the judge asks of the applicant: Would you object to
a war of aggression? And upon the latters refusal to
pledge support of aggressive war he denies this man the
privilege of American citizenship.
Since when, we ask, has the privilege Of American
citizenship rested upon the approval of a violation of
the law of the land?
Such a preposterous procedure as this is depriving the
United States of one of the highest types of potential
citizen, and If such interpretations of the naturalization
law are sound, then the law should be amended SO that
the nation need no longer sacrifice the thoughtful and
honest citizen while welcoming the unthinking and un-
s%crupulous to whom the obligations of citizenship are
little more than words. and who are often willing 10 say
yes to any question in order to gain admission.
Happily, there is pending before congress an amend
ment to the present naturalization law which would
provide that no qualified person should be debarred from
citizenship because OF his or her religious views or
philosophical notions with respect to the lavfulnees OF
war as a means for settling international disputes