Speech #630211002

I believe there is a spark of patriotism. in fact. several sparks of patriotism. in his manly breast. and I appreciate that fact. and make public acknowledgment of it now. but I would like to say to the gentleman that I am unable to see wherein it is "ridiculous" to suggestI withdraw that word. if I have misquoted the gentlemanthat if we give the privilege of citizenship to a man who has served on a merchant vessel. after three years of service. upon tL%3 certificate of his captain onlythat being sufficient to satisfy the courtswe should also accord that same privilege after a threeyear service. whether the enlistment period be for three years or four years or five yearsand in this case it happens to be four yearswhen that man enlists in the service of this country. and not in the service of any private vessel. and offers his life in our defense. Mr. Chairman. I do not believe the gentleman from Wisconsin means to criticize that situation. and I do not impute any such motive to him. but I can not harmonize the suggestion that it is fair to require an alien enlisting in the Army to serve only one year. in order to obtain his naturalization and become a citizen of the country. and not unfair to hold up an alien who engages upon a battleship for a period of four years because that happens to be the term of enlistment. Mr. Chairman.