Speech #650169360

We have heard much of our treaty with Italy. Let me read a statement sent out by Secretary Lansing in answer to a letter OONGft ~iSS~f1VRA 1E6RD1bfjRR FEnRUArY 2 7.. from the gentleman from Michigan . It is as follows: Naturalization of an Italian subject In a foreign country without the consent. of the Italian Government is no bar to liability to military service. A former Italian subject may visit Italy without fear of molestation when he is under the age of I(- years. but between the ages of 16 and 39 be is liable to arrest and forced military service if he has not previously reported for such service. A former Italian subject who returns to Italy after the age of 39 is not liable for service. However. his exemuption from punishinct for past failure to appear is contingent upon his having complied with certain formalities which may be performed at an Italian embassy lr consulate. A petition for pardon of the offense of desertion or evasion of milltary svte should he .ent to the Italian Covernment directly. as this department does not act as the intermediary In presenting such a petition. S * * S S There is no naturallzation treaty between the United Slates and Italy defiaing the rihts of citizens or subjects of either country wlho may obtain naturalization in the other country. It may be stated. for your information. that In the absence of a naturallzation treaty between the Unit(d States and Italy the Italian Government has taken the position that children born abroad to Italian subjects must be considered subJects of Italy and liable for the performanco of military service in the army of that country. NoW. this attitude on the bart of Italy simply means that that nation does not admit that former Italian citizens can be mtle fullfledged American citizens. There is the doctrine of dual nationality. and it shows that the Italian Government has no uindue delicacy in its policy of dealing with those whom we regard as citizens of this country. To my mind the absence of a naturalization treaty with Italy at the present time is evidence that Italy will be the last country in the wold to enter any protest to our undoubted right to deport undesirable aliens. I have a large Ilulllber of former Italians In my district. and I want to say that they are loyal Americans and tire with America in this war with all their hearts. At the very begilnning of this war I received resolutions from a great mass meeting of former Italians held in my district. declaring earnest allegiance to the American cause and offering themselves for service in any way possible. I addressed a meeting on Washingtons Birthday. last week. where some 14 different nationalities were represented. I went into the details of this "alien slacker" bill at length. and those present expressed their full approval of this nmeasnre. Those aliens who have appreciated the advantages of American citizenship and have taken out their papers of naturalization want that citizenship to mean something. They do Dot want unjust ihmunities and advantages to go to those who have never applied for citizenship. The gentleman from New York [Mr..