Speech #650164656

I have the honor to request you to bring to the notice of your Government the following observations concernIng the treaty now in process of negotiation between the Puited States on the one hand and Great Britain ou the other. whereby residents in the United States who are claimed as nationals by Great Britain may become available for military purposes. The Irish born who reside in this country are separated by the American Government into three categories: First. American citizens by naturalization. second. declarants. or "such as have taken out theirfirst naturalization papers and thereby declare their intention and desire to become full citizens of the United States ". third. aliens. those whose status as Irish nationals is beyond question. Over the members of the first of these categories the United States alone exerts authority. an authority which the contemplated treaty can hot influence. and which the provisional government of ireland fully recognizes. The formal declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States is accompanied by an explicit statement of purpose to renounce allegiance to the sovereignty to which the declarant Is subject.