Evening star., 1943-01-06
Mothers Of . Anti-Axi,
Soldiers Natura|ized
Despite Test Failures
Five ItuIiun Women
Show Potential Qualities
Of Good Citizenship

Five Italian women who, according
to tests they have taken, know little
about the American Constitution, but
have given nine sons to the battle
against Mussolini and the Axis. are
entitled to American citizenship in
the eyes of District Court.
In an impressive ceremony, the
five Italians and 64 other aliens, in
cluding former Russian princess,
were sworn in as American citizens
by Justice F. Dickinson Let's yes
terday.
The women are Mrs. Lucia Arciulo,
48. OF 637 l. street S.W.; Mrs
Domenica Smiroldo Crupi, So, of 92l
Sixth street NE: Mrs. Angelina
Como, S.. of 922 Sixth street NE:
Mrs. Lucia Iacangelo, 81, of 6l4
Upshur street NV, and Mrs.
Guiseppina Gargiulo Biondi, 53 of
1724 Lang place NE. All were born
in Italy.
Could Not Be Recommended.
James A. Hamilton, jr., examiner
for the Office of immigration and
Naturalization, Justice Department,
could not recommend the five Italian
mothers and several others because
they had not been able to pass tests
showing they have a knowledge of
the principles Of the American Con-
stitution.
The fact that the Italian women
had provided America with fighting
men played an important part in
the Justices decision. But there
were other reasons which he con-
s1dered as taking precedence over
failure to pass an examination on
the American Constitution.
Are you now studying our form
OF government" he asked one ap-
plicant. One, widow, he learned,
had raised family of five children.
There was testimony to show that
she rated high in school studies of
American government. But she
goes to pieces during examinations"
it was explained.
The justice was told that one
applicant, 61-year-old German
woman, had been unable to attend
school because Of rheumatism in
her legs and arms. Her desire to
become citizen was so great that
she studied at home at night with
her husband. She, Mrs, Maria Frey,
81, was admitted. after a lengthy
quiz from the bench.
Son in Consular Service.
An Italian applicant, Mrs. Clelia
Mazzeo, also admitted. told the court
her son is an American Vice Consul
in Mexico
One applicant was helped by her
daughter. MY mother has the will
power to learn, but she is nervous"
the daughter said
One Italian man found a study of
the American government and Con-
stitution dificult. but there was
testimony to show that he had
studied hard for two years and had
made great progress. He was ad-
mitted.
The former Russian princess. Mrs.
Luba Troubetzkoy. %. was natural
lied yesterday morning. She is the
wife of Serge Troubetzkoy, employe
Of the Farm Machinery Division of
the War Production Board. They
live at 4214 Jenifer street NV.
Participating in yesterdays natu-
ralization ceremony were James r.
Kirkland of the District Bar Asso-
citation and Mrs. William E. Rich
ardson, representing the Daughters
Of the American Revolution. Ap-
plicants were given OAR citizenship
manuals.
The unusually high number OF
applicants-approximately 90-was
due to the naturalization regulation
requiring them to become citizens by,
January l3
Assisting Mr.. Hamilton in present.
ing evidence to the court were Miss
Maude Alton. administrative prin-
cipal of the Americanization School,
Tenth and H streets NV; S. H.
Hanessian, faculty member of the
school, and Mrs. M. L. Carle, teacher