M.S. Lipt. of State. CITIZENSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES, EXPATRIATION, LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, SUBMITTING REPORT ON THE SUBJECT OF CITIZENSHIP, EXPATRIATION, DECEMBER 20, 1906.-Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1906. 2d Session. 1 No. 326. CITIZENSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES, EXPATRIATION, AND PROTECTION ABROAD. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, SUBMITTING REPORT ON THE SUBJECT OF CITIZENSHIP, EXPATRIATION, AND PROTECTION ABROAD. DECEMBER 20, 1906.-Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 18, 1906. SIR: On the 13th of April, 1906, the Senate passed a joint resolution providing for a commission to examine into the subjects of citizenship of the United States, expatriation, and protection abroad, and to make a report and recommendations thereon, to be transmitted to Congress for its consideration. The resolution carried an appropriation of $10,000 for the expense of the commission. (S. Res. No. 30, 59th Congress, 1st session.) On the 6th of June, 1906, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, to which aforesaid joint resolution had been referred, reported to the House as follows: It is the opinion of the committee that legislation is required to settle some of the embarrassing questions that arise in reference to citizenship, expatriation, and the protection of American citizens abroad. The committee, however, is not convinced of the necessity of having a commission to consider these questions or to prepare legislation for submission to Congress. Such commis sions are sure to be leisurely, certain to be costly, and apt to be ineffective. It seems to the committee that the same end can be reached in a more practical way. More information on these questions can be furnished by those who have been obliged to deal with them practically than by any commission of outsiders, however distinguished. We should be glad if the Secretary of State would select some of the gentlemen connected with the State Department who have given special attention to these subjects, have them prepare a report and propose legislation that could be considered by Congress at the next session. The result of such a commission we are confident would be of value. If there was any small expense for clerk hire, etc., in connection with its work, this could, as we understand, be defrayed, under the direction of the Secretary of State, from the general appropriations made by Congress. If a bill remedying such evils as may exist is submitted at the beginning of the next session it shall have the careful attention of this committee, and if its contents are approved we will make every endeavor to have it promptly enacted into law. (Rept. No. 4784, 59th Cong., 1st sess.) Pursuant to this suggestion of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr. James B. Scott, solicitor for the Department of State, Mr. David Jayne Hill, minister of the United States to the Netherlands, and Mr. Gaillard Hunt, chief of the passport bureau, were directed to make the inquiry and report recommendations as appeared to be desired. both by the Senate and by the House committee. I transmit herewith the result of their labors. I beg to commend it to the consideration of the House as a very clear and thorough exposition of this most important subject, upon which it seems to be generally agreed legislation is much needed. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. JOSEPH G. CANNON, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Hon. ROBERT BACON, ELIHU ROOT. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, December 15, 1906. The Assistant Secretary of State. SIR: By an order dated July 3, 1906, the undersigned were constituted a board to inquire into the laws and practice regarding citizenship, expatriation, and protection abroad, and to report recommendations for legislation to be laid before Congress, pursuant to the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives contained in the report of the committee dated June 6, 1906. The conclusions which we have reached fall under the following heads: First. Recommendations for constructive legislation. We recommend (a) that a law be enacted authorizing the Secretary of State to issue, under such rules and regulations as the President shall prescribe, certificates of nativity to natural-born American citizens temporarily resident abroad or who intend temporarily to reside abroad for legitimate purposes, setting forth the place of their origin, date of birth, and place of permanent residence in the United States. (b) That every male child being an American citizen resident abroad who desires to enjoy the protection of this Government be required upon reaching the age of 18 years to record at the most convenient American consulate his intention to become a resident and remain a citizen of the United States, and to take the oath of allegiance upon attaining his majority. (c) That an American citizen residing continuously outside of the United States for more than one year be required to register at the most convenient United States consulate at least once each year his name and place of residence, date and place of birth, nationality of parents, occupation, and last place of residence in the United States, and to give solemn assurance of his continued allegiance to the United States and of his intention to return thereto. An entry of the names, ages, and place of birth of the wife and minor children should also be required. (d) That the Secretary of State be authorized, under such rules and regulations as the President shall prescribe, to extend the protection of this Government and to issue qualified passports to those |