Speech #620084499

Mr. President. the Committee on Immigration. which in 1906 reported the naturalization law now upon the statute books. had no intention of changing the existing law in regard to soldiers and sailors. There seems to be. however. some uncertainty on that point. They did not repeal specifically section 2166 of the Revised Statutes. which provides thatAny alien of the age of 21 years and upward who has enlisted or may enlist in the Armies of the United States. either the Regular or the Volunteer force. etc. And also the act of July 26. 1894. which provides thatAny alien of the age of 21 years and upward who has enlisted or may enlist in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. and has served or may hereafter serve five consecutive years in the United States Navy or one enlistment in the United States Marine Corps. and has been or may hereafter be honorably discharged. shall be admitted to become a citizen of the United States upon his petition. without any previous declaration of his intention to become such. There was no intention in the naturalization law to change either of those sections in regard to the Army and Navy.