The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-03
Alien Laws Quirk Says ''No" To 10000 Filipinos In U. s. Who Seek Military Service

By MILTON BRONNER

NNEA SerVlce Stdu COfreSpOndentJ
 Washington, Jan. 3-Twenty thou sand Filipinos, not citizens, but re- siding in the United States, would like to fight for Uncle Sam, either in their own native islands or any, where else-if the American govern ment would only let them.
 Their idea is to form one or two divisions, oficered in part by Amer jeans and in part by Filipinos, and to get active service after six months of intensive training. And they want particularly to fight Japs, and not be turned into labor battalions or anything of that sort.
 Filpinos in the United States are n an anomalous position, unless hey were born here. In that case, hey are American citizens.
 ALIEN FILIPINOS ARE
 AMERICAN NATIONALS"
 But Filipinos born in the Philip pines, which are still dependency of the United States, are not Amer can citizens, but are given the puzzling title of American na- tionals." Whatever that may mean, the American census and the de- partment of justice consider them as aliens.
 Under the aliens registration act they have to register, just as does 8 German, Italian or Jap.
 The department of justice says 83,674 Filipinos were registered in the continental United States and possessions like Hawii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Alaska. The census bureau has not yet revealed It's figures. But 1t is estimated some 5O,00O Filipinos live in Hawaii and over 32,0O0 in the United States.
 California, Oregon and Washing ton have the biggest Filipino popu- lation. Those who are not students or business representatives, are mainly agricultural workers. In Washington they are mainly taxi drivers and house servants. Many used to be in the United States navy, serving in the officers mess.
 Filipinos in this country have never shown any great longing to go back home to live, although now they are ready to go back there to fight. AS an aftermath of the de- pressiof1, many Filipinos in Amer ica were very poor. In July, 1885, a House act provided means for Fili- pinos to return to the Philippines at the American governments ex- pense. This provision ended Decem- Der 21, 1940. The authors of the bill estimated that between 10000 and S0,000 would apply for repatria- tion. Actually only 2,190 accepted free transportation to Manila. FILIPINOS WANT
 TO FIGHT
 Right after the treacherous at tacAY by the Japs on American forces in Hawaii, followed by il- vasion of the Philippines, J. M. Elizalde, resident commissioner of the Philippines to the United States. received letters from Filipinos all over the United States expressing a desire to join up with the American forces So widespread and insistent was this movement that Elizalde took 1t up with the war department. A few weeks ago Secretary of War Stimson wrote back:
 Many Filipinos who are citizens of the United States, are now serv- ing in our army. Unfortunately, under our present law, person who is not citizen of the United States, may not be commissioned or enlisted in the army. Consequently, change in the law will be required if Fili- pinos, who are not citizens, are to be permitted service in the armed services of the United States. The war department has this matter un- der study and 1t is hoped that solution will be found in the near future"
 Incidentally, Elizalde's office is issuing certificates of Filipino na- tionality for protection of his fellow countrymen, who might be mistaken for Japs. Many of them also wear a red button with a white band across it on which is printed in black The word Filipino"
 The stout fighting the Filipinos ,ra So3,,n, 3y +hotr bnvo oIorI ic