Judge: I do not want any conditions. Under such circumstances, a war of aggression, would you object? Answer: In all probability I would. I would first have to consider my duty to God and humanity. Judge: In other words, you can not subscribe under any and every condition to the doctrine, "My country, right or wrong"? Answer: No. Judge: Then you can not be admitted. What we want are citizens who are prepared to say: "My country, right or wrong, but my country." There is no beating about the bush here. The judge carries the case against pacifists one step farther than the Mackintosh case. Mr. King was willing to swear to protect the Constitution and laws of our country by force if necessary. He refused to agree in advance to supporting an admitted war of aggression. He was openly asked completely to suppress the dictates of his conscience. Those who want a Nation of wooden soldiers will want to leave the naturalization laws as they are. Those who want to make some place for reason, intelligence, and convictions will do well to support the Griffin bill. This will make such conduct on the part of Federal judges impossible in the future and will allow us to add citizens able and willing to think for themselves. Hon. ANTHONY J. GRIFFIN, M. C., EXHIBIT VIII Washington, D. C. BROOKFIELD, ILL., May 31, 1929. DEAR SIR: In the Chicago Tribune I read about your bill concerning naturalization of aliens who are opposed to war by reasons of religion or other opinions. It may be you are interested in the fact that in this country of liberty there are a number of aliens who want to become citizens of the United States but are debarred from citizenship because they are conscientious Christians and do not like to take part in war and kill other human individuals. I am one of them to whom citizenship was denied. I am not a radical but only a noncombatant. The chief naturalization examiner asked me about the position I would take in time of war. I said I would serve the country in any capacity I could. "Whom?" "Your enemy." "I, as a Christian, have no enemies to kill." These were the questions and answers of my examination. After counseling with other men, the chief examiner said to me, You can not become a citizen of the United States when you do not answer this question with "Yes." That was in the year 1924. Because of my loyalty to the teachings of Jesus Christ, citizenship is denied to me. Hoping your bill will pass so that law-abiding, conscientious Christians may be granted citizenship, I remain Yours very truly, K. A. OFFERMANN. EXHIBIT IX Showing change in naturalization forms, to wit: a. Letter of Assistant Secretary of Labor Robe Carl White. b. Form 2214. c. Form A 2214. Hon. ANTHONY J. GRIFFIN, M. C., EXHIBIT IX House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. JULY 11, 1931. MY DEAR MR. GRIFFIN: Please permit me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant to the Commissioner of Naturalization, requesting information for one of your constituents as to when the question relating to willingness to bear arms in defense of this country was introduced into the form of application for certificate of arrival and preliminary form for petition for citizenship. I have taken the matter up with the commissioner, who advises that this question was added to the form about eight years ago, as a result of the growing tendency on the part of many courts, after the World War, to ask this question of applicants for citizenship, in view of the requirement of law that the court shall be satisfied of the applicant's attachment to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and proper disposition to the good order and happiness of the same, during the five years immediately preceding the application. Cordially yours, ROBE CARL WHITE, EXHIBIT IX Form 2214. (This form superseded by Form A-2214) PRELIMINARY FORM FOR PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, NATURALIZATION SERVICE This form is not a petition, but is used to obtain essential information, which must be furnished by the applicant before a petition may be filed. NOTE FOR CLERK.-Hand this form to the alien so he may fill it in at his leisure. To the alien: Fill in all the blanks in this form. Be sure the information is correct. When completed, take or mail it to the Naturalization Examiner and he will furnish you instructions. Send your Declaration of Intention with this form. THE UNITED STATES NATURALIZATION EXAMINER: I desire to petition for naturalization in the at (City) (County) (State) Court, The following information is furnished that you may arrange for my preliminary examination and that the necessary papers may be sent to the clerk of court: used another name (If you have ever used any other name write that name here) (State why you used it) (Give name in full) The name of my steamship ticket was on (Month) (Day) (Year) (Year) 4. (a) The place where I took the ship or train which landed me in the United States was (b) I landed in the United States at (c) The name of the ship or railroad on which I came was_ (d) If by ship: Name of steamship line was---- (e) I arrived as (passenger, stowaway, deserting seaman, or otherwise) (f) The person in the United States I was coming to was (Give name in full) (g) The place in the United States I was going to was (h) The names of some of the persons or passengers I traveled with were (i) I purchased the ticket on which I came to this country at It was purchased by If you came from or through Canada or Mexico, also fill in lines (A) to (F), inclusive: (A) The place in Canada where I landed was (D) The place where I was examined for admission into the United States was--. (E) If not examined, state why, and give the circumstances of your entry (F) The place in (Canada) where I bought my railroad ticket to come to the United States was (If you came to the United States on visit, not to stay, please so state, and give facts) 5. (a) The date of my Declaration (first paper) is (NOTE. (Year) and the name on her steam A certificate of arrival will be furnished for both husband and wife, so that separate requests are unnecessary.) 111460-32-13 (e) I have children. (In the following blanks write name, date and place of birth, and residence of each child.) at at at at at born (f) If not now, have you ever been married? divorced? -- The foreign country of which I am now a subject or citizen is speak English. I can 9. (a) I have resided continuously in the United States since 10. (Day) (Year) (Month) (b) I have resided continuously in the State where I now live since___. (Month) (Day) (Year) I have previously made petition for naturalization (second paper). If so, it was made in the Court If you wish to have your name changed, give full name you Give names, occupations, and addresses of the two citizens you expect (2d) (Name) (Occupation) naturalized on (City or town) (Residence address) (Residence address) (Month) (Day) (Year) (State) If applicant is a married woman, answer the following: at Sign your full and correct name in your own handwriting_ 14. (a) In what place in the United States did you meet for the first time the first witness named? (b) How often did you see this witness each month during the five years just before the date of this statement? At what places? 15. (a) In what place in the United States did you meet for the first time the second witness named? (b) How often did you see this witness each month during the five years just before the date of this statement? At what places? 16. (a) Have you been absent from the United States since the day you have before stated for your arrival? If so, state month and year you left Month and year you returned To what country did you go? What was your reason for going? (b) In what places in the United States have you resided since your last arrival? (Also give dates showing beginning and ending of Do you understand the principles of government of the United Do you fully believe in the form of government of the United States? Have you read the following oath of allegiance? "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularly to of whom I have heretofore been a subject; that I will support and Are you willing to take this oath in becoming a citizen? Are you a believer in anarchy? Do you belong to any organization which teaches or advocates anarchy or the overthrow of existing civil government in this country? If necessary, are you willing to take up arms in defense of this Did you file a questionnaire with a draft board during the war? For any other reason? 24. Have you ever been arrested? Why? Have you ever been charged 25. 26. Did you claim exemption because you were an alien? with a violation of the prohibition law or any other law of the If so, Have If not, who filled out Have you ever been an inmate of an insane asylum? this form for you? I, the undersigned, having carefully read the questions herein, certify on honor that my answers thereto are true. Date (Sign name in full) (Applicant) 192_.. (Post-office address) (City) (State) |