Speech #480093599

I see no reason why overt preparations in this country for the commission of criminal acts. such as are here under consideration. should not be alike punishable. whether such acts are intended to be committed in our own country or in a foreign country with which we are at peace. The prompt and thorough treatment of this question is one which intimately concerns the national honor. Our existing naturalization laws also need revision. Those sections relating to persons residing within the limits of the United States in 1795 and 1798 have now only a historical interest. Section 2172. recognizing the citizenship of the children of naturalized parents. is ambiguous in its termsand partly obsolete. There are special provisions of law favoring the naturalization of those who serve in the Army or in merchant vessels. while no similar privileges are granted those who serve in the Navy or the Marine Corps. "An uniform rule of naturalization." such as the Constitution contemplates. should. among other things. clearly define the status of persons born within the United Statessubject to a foreign power (R. S. sec. 1992) and of minor children of fathers who have declared their intention to become citizens but have failed to perfect their naturalization. It might be wise to provide for a central bureau of registry. wherein should be filed authenticated transcripts of every record of naturalization in the several Federal and State courts. and to make provision also for the vacation or cancellation of such record in cases where fraud had been practiced upon the court by the applicant himself or where be had renounced or forfeited his acquired citizenship. Ajust and uniform law in this respect would strengthen the hands of the Government in protecting its citizensabroad and would pave the way for the conclusion of treaties of naturalization with foreign countries. The legislation of the last session effected in the diplomatic and consular service certain changes and reductions which have been productive of embarrassment. The population and commercial activity of our country are steadily on the increase. and are giving rise to new. varying. and often delicate relationships with other countries.