Evening star., 1943-05-17
New Citizens Offered
Chance 10 Fight, Not
Safety, Fahy Says
l46 Foreien-Born
Soldiers Take Oath Of
Allegiance at Camps

Sl14OCA A'ttheSo oSSS AASS SAASA
personal safety to aliens who still
seek citizenship, Solicitor General
Charles Fahy said last night, speak
ing to an audience at Il Am ar
American Day" exercises at the De-
partmental Auditorium.
"On the contrary, the inducement
that is now offered in being an
American is the opportunity to face
and destroy the forces threatening
the world, the opportunity to make
sacrifices and undergo hardships, to
live courageously and to endure
courageously in support of the de-
termination of oh people to remain
forever free"
The occasion marked the formal
welcoming as citizens of 46 foreign
born soldiers, stationed at Fort Bel
voir, who took the final step Friday
Special Services in Churches.
The day was marked by special
services in many churches through
out the city and at exercises con-
Quoted by fraternal and military
organizations. Senator Barbour, Re-
publican, Of New Jersey was the
principal speaker at a mass rally
of the Civil Liberties Department
of Negro Elks at the Metropolitan
Baptist Church, while Thomas J
Owen, national historian Of tho
American Legion, spoke at a pro-
gram under the auspices of Fort
Stevens Post at Roosevelt High
School.
At Camp Lee. Va. approximately
100 soldiers. representing 10 ma
tions, observed the day by taking
the oath in the first naturalization
ceremony ever held at that post. In
Baltimore Mrs James J. Doolittle
wife Of the leader of the American
bombing raid on Toxic, administered
the oath of allegiance to 300 aliens,
most OF them Italians
Bad News for Axis.
The upward trend Of naturaliza-
tion in America, which scared to
q record-shattering 100000 in l94l
'is not good news to Axis leaders, y
Mr.. Fahy told his listeners. 1T is
the manifestation of new and
greater national unity
Justice Bolitha j. Laws of Dis
trict Court told the new citizens
'We are pleased you have chosen
America to be your mother country
and that you have donned her uni
form to fight in her defense. She is
worthy of your devotion. y"
Other speakers included Watson
B. Miller, assistant administrator
Of the Federal Security Agency, and
Walter L. Fowler, budget officer OF
the District of Columbia.
William Tyler Page, Sd. recited
"The Americans Creed" written by
his grandfather, and the Rev. j
Herbert Garner pronounced the
benediction, while Rabbi Norman
Gerstenfeld delivered the invocation
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, presi-
dent of the District Board of Edu-
cation, presided.
A massing of the colors of the
Fort Stevens Post, Columbia Post
No. "a, Jewish War Veterans, and
9Th and 9th Regiments of High
School Cadets opened the ceremonies
at Roosevelt. Speakers, in addition
to Mr.. Owen. included Rabbi Henry
Segal, Rev. Henry Mankon, jr., of St
Marks and Incarnation Lutheran
Church, the Rev. Charles Pickar OF
the Augustinian College and the
Rev. James Rodgers of Petworth
Baptist Church.
A service flag, donated by Mrs
Maria Marraffa of 5435 Forty-frs
street NV, was dedicated by the
Italian Baptist congregation at l2O(
Kirby street NV. 1t bore 20 stars
for men from the congregation in
service, four of whom are Mrs
Marraffo's sons and another is hel
son-in-law. A widow. Mrs. Marraffc
became an American citizen on May
4 in company with Mrs. Pasouale
Vasco of 1890 G street NE. another
member of the congregation who
also has son in the service
Message Sent to Eisenhower.
A message from members of the
Greek Orthodox Church of SIS
Constantine and Helen, Sixth and C
streets SW., signed by Rev. Thomas
Daniels, pastor, and Mr.. James
Callas, president of the congregatio
was dispatched to Gen. Dwight D
Eisenhower
The message assured the genera
Of the church's remembrance of him
and his men in its services and thai
its members prayed with deep emo
ton and feeling that God guides you
always to complete your glorious
victories
$500, 900 Carpet Missing
One of the worlds most valuable
carpets, that made in the 16tf
century and given to the Dala
Lama of Tibet bv the Chinese EN-.