Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-09-27
BY PAUL HARRISON.
NEA Service Writer.


BOSTON, Mass.-Amadeo Alcoy.
ace came to America when he was
three months old, grew up in Y
fought for it through Is battles oil
the World War as a Yankee Division
machine gunner. was granted $50 Q
month compensation for wounds re-
ceived in action-and yet Is q mar
without a country.
He speaks only English, and hasn't
the faintest recollection Of the Italy
which legally Is still his native land
He married an American girl ant
has a 5~-year-cld American daugh-
ter. Yet Alcarace has been confine1
for seven months at the immig-a-
ton station at East Boston, and Il
facing deportation.
The charge Is moral turpitude, ard
there Is no question OF his guilt. Al
corace has served prison terms Of
n and two years for offences in
volving his relations with women
But according TO prominent veterans
Of the Yankee Division and the az
to-neys they have enlisted in his De-
half. there Is a very big question Of
the governments moral right, al
least. TO deport him.
Makes a Strange Tangle.
The result, according to immigra-
ton authorities here. Is one OF tbs
strangest tangles in the history II
their department.
Alcorace had been at the deten-
ton station for six months, friend
less. before the circumstances Of his
case became known. Now howeve-,
his defense is being headed by Gen.
Charles II. Cole, president OF the
Yankee Division Veterans Assn.
and State Commander Richard r.
Paul OF the American Legion. Two
attorneys have been engaged and
temporary freedom obtained for AL
corace by furnishing $4,000 bail.
His former comrades feel" ex-
planned Gen. Cole, that any man
who spent his life in this country
was wounded at Chateau ThierTy,
and Is receiving compensation, Is rs
much a citizen as any man who was
born here"
Law Is Specific.
According TO Samuel Rice, one OF
the attorneys for Alcorace, the fed
eral court had absolutely no discre-
ton in ordering the mans deporta-
ton, for the law is specific.
However, we took an appeal
said Rice. Frankly, when the case
goes to the Circuit Court of APP
peals in October, we expect the de-
portation order will be upheld. We
have no illusions about the efficacy
Of moral arguments connected with
the unusual aspects of the case. Al
corace still remains, under the law
an alien criminal subject to deporta-
ton.
We have some slight hope in
Article 8 OF the amendments to the
Constitution Of the United States
which forbids cruel or unusual
runishments.' We can contend thai
deportation would be exile and Q
cruel punishment for a man wh-
has spent all OF his active life in
this country, and who has no know
ledge Of his native land. But it's a
very slim chance"
Little Hope Seen.
As far as this government Is con-
cerned. then, the cause Of the 81
year-old war veteran seems almost
hopeless. But there Is still another
loophole in the a OF TECHNICAL
Ties connected with his destiny.
The answer Is that Italy appar-
emily will refuse to accept him.
During the confinement of Alcor-
ace. repeated requests have been
made to the italian consul for the
passport which must be issued be-
fore the man can be deported," Rice
said. "Consul-G General Margotti we
understand, has absolutely ignored
these requests. as 1t Is his privilege
TO do In exceptional cases.
I'VE have no idea whether italy
frankly doesn't want Alcorace, or