Speech #650279995

The bill provided in substance that where either the citizens or subjects of a foreign power at war with Germany or our allies should claim exempition from military service when military service was sought from them in this country. we should. in substanceI do not undertake to quote the exact language or the exact provisioisdeport those people for that reason from this country. Thii.1 bil passed the 1louse of Representatives by a very large votethree hundred and some odd to 15 or I6showing a practical unanimity of sentiment in this country. so far we are able to judge it by tie votes in either fouse of Congress on this question. It was referred to the Committee o lImnmigration. properly so. because it dealt with the immigration tlUestion. and sought to remedy tile situation by the application of a remedy which conies within the jurisdiction of that committee. I made repeated efforts at first to get the bill considered by the committee. but was unable to do so. first. because it was difficult to secure a quorum at the time when the bill came over. and next. because the chairman of tile Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate and the State Department. if my mnemory is accurate. both objected to the consideration of this measire by the Senate pending the negotiation of these treaties. For that reason the Committee on Immigration has taken no action with respect to this matter. deeming it wiser to take a more direct method of securing the military service of these people who certainly ought to render it. either to this country or to their own countries. rather than that of deporting them. and thus giving them anl opportunity to go somewhere else. where they might still further evade such service. There are three of the larger countries at war with Germany who have a considerable number of citizens or subjects in this country who might be subject to this law. So far as England and Canada are concerned. the situation is relieved by the treaty which the Senate ratified just a day or so ago.