Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1917 — U. S. Boys In Foreign Trenches Would Rather Fight Here. [ARTICLE]

U. S. Boys In Foreign Trenches Would Rather Fight Here.

Americans now fighting the Germans under the British or the French flag would rather be doing it under the Stars and Stripes. At least, that is the case of a large percentage of them, judging from the number that fiave so expressed themselves at the Amrican embassy in London. Never a day passes now but one or several Americans in British khaki appears to ask how he can transfer his service direct to the United States army in case the United States goes to war. Thus far they have not received a great deal of comfort. They face the fact that they have lost their American citizenship. - - . To become a member of the British aim y an American is required to swear allegiance to the king and foreswear allegiance to all other •triesiLegally such Americans cannot become American citizens again without the process of naturalization, but some nevertheless have devised ways of evading this fact, and it isn’t treason to conceal the nature of these plans, under the circumstances. Anyhow, the soldiers feel certain . congress will enact special legislation in their behalf, permitting restoration of their citizenship, in consideration of the purpose for which they desire it. A further complication is the fact that alhsuch Americans have enlisted in the armies of England or of France for the period of the war. To obtain the privilege of serving in American commands they must obtain some concession from their adopted countries. They all seem confident of receiving such a favor. «.