The Wrangell sentinel., 1940-08-23
REGISTRATION
 EXPLAINED FOR
 ALIEN RESIDENTS

A aliens in Alaska must go to their local post offices and register. Such registration will take place through out the nation as a part of the Ma tionaI Defense program.
 AS part of its educational pro- gram to acquaint nOn-citizsns with the registration requirements, the Alien Registration Division is dis tributing more than five million specimen forms listing the Ques- tiops that will be asked of aliens at registration time. Besides the us- ual questions for establishing iden- tificatiOn, the Questionnaire asks the alien to tell how and when he entered the country, the method of transportation he used to get here, the name of the vessel on which he arrived.
 Length of Time in Country
 He is also asked To state the length Of time he has been in this country and the length of time he expects to stay. He must also des- eribe any military or naval service he has had. and list the names of any organizations clubs, or societies in which he participates or holds membership. In addition. he is re- quired 10 describe his activities in any organization, and to affirm whether or not the organization furthers the interests or program Of a foreign government.
 To make their registration easier, aliens are being asked to fill out sample forms, which will be avail able prior to registration. and take them to post offices where they will be registered and fingerprinted every registered alien will receive by mail a receipt card which serves as eYidene Of his registration. Fol- lowing registration, the Act requires all aliens, as well as parents or guardians of alien children, to re- port changes or residence address within five days of the change.
 The Alien Registration Act was passed so that the United States Government may determine exactly how many aliens there are, who they are, and where they are. Both President Roosevelt and Solicitor General Riddle have pointed out that registration and fingerprinting will not be harmful to law-abiding aliens. The Act provides that all records be kept secret and eonfidea- tial They will be ayialable only to persons approved Dy the Attorney General of the United States.
 Fingerprinting Necessary
 Fingerprinting of aliens carries no stigma whatsoever. Thousands of citizens are voluntarily fingerprint- ed every year. Members of the Uni ted States Army and Navy are all fingerprinted, as are many Govern ment workers. In recent years, many hospitals have established the prae- tice of taking footprints of newly born babies. Because fingerprinting is the only infallible method of ae- curate Identification, the United States Government has adopted 1t as part of its registration program.
 In signing the Alien Registration Act, President Roosevelt said, "The Alien Registration Act of 1940 :. should be interpreted and admins tered as a program designed not on- ly for the protection of the country but also for the protection of the loyal aliens who are it's guests. The registration does not carry with it any stigma or implication of hos tility towards those who, while they may not be citizens, are loyal to this country and its institutions Most of the aliens in this country are people who came here because they believed and had faith in the principles of American democracy, and they are entitled to and must receive full protection of the law. !"
 Solicitor General Riddle adds. We should remember that all Americans were at one time or another immi- grants from other lands. The genius of many countries, the ancient as pirations of many races, have built into what is America. Unfortunately there are some foreigners who are disloyal to America, who do not wish to accept our ways and who use our freedom of speech and of the press to foment disunity and se- dition.
 These persons we will apprehend but we will also see to it that loyal American aliens are not unjustly condemned for the disloyal behavior of a few. Our registration will be their protection from persecution"
 The Immigration and Naturaliza- tion Service asks for the cooperation of all citizens in carrying out the Alien Registration program in a friendly manner so that our large foreign population is not antagon- iEed. It is suggested that citizens may be of great heln tn their nnn-