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number of persons who； having left Europe just in time to escape
military service； have stayed in America just long enough to
acquire American citizenship； and then； having returned to their
native country； seek to enjoy the advantages of both countries
while discharging the duties of neither。 Even worse were the
cases of the descendants of such so…called Americans； most of
them born in Europe and not able even to speak the English
language； worst of all were the cases of sundry
Russianssometimes stigmatized as 〃predatory Hebrews〃who；
having left Russia and gone to America； had stayed just long
enough to acquire citizenship； and then returned and settled in
the eastern part of Germany； as near the Russian frontier as
possible。 These were naturally regarded as fraudulent interlopers
by both the German and Russian authorities； and much trouble
resulted。 Some of them led a life hardly outside the limits of
criminality； but they never hesitated on this account to insist
on their claims to American protection。 When they were reminded
that American citizenship was conferred upon them； not that they
might shirk its duties and misuse its advantages in the land of
their birth； but that they might enjoy it and discharge its
duties in the land of their adoption； they scouted the idea and
insisted on their right； as American citizens； to live where they
pleased。 Their communications to the embassy were； almost without
exception； in German； Russian； or Polish； very few of them wrote
or even spoke English； and very many of them could neither read
nor write in any language。 For the hard…working immigrant；
whether Jew or Gentile； who comes to our country and casts in his
lot with us； to take his share not only of privilege but of duty；
I have the fullest respect and sympathy； and have always been
glad to intervene in his favor； but intervention in behalf of
those fraudulent pretenders I always felt to be a galling burden。
Fortunately the rules of the State Department have been of late
years strengthened to meet this evil； and it has finally become
our practice to inform such people that if they return to America
they can receive a passport for that purpose； but that unless
they show a clear intention of returning； they cannot。 Very many
of them persist in their applications in spite of this； and one
case became famous both at the State Department and at the
embassy。 Three Russians of the class referred to had emigrated
with their families to America； and； after the usual manner；
stayed just long enough to acquire citizenship； and had then
returned to Germany。 One of them committed a crime and
disappeared； the other two went to the extreme eastern frontier
of Prussia and settled there。 Again and again the Prussian
Government notified us that under the right exercised by every
nation； and especially by our own； these 〃undesirable intruders〃
must leave Prussian territory or be expelled。 Finally we
discovered at the embassy that a secret arrangement had been made
between Germany and Russia which obliged each to return the
undesirable emigrants of the other。 This seemed to put the two
families in great danger of being returned to Russia； and； sooner
than risk a new international trouble； a proposal was made to
them； through the embassy； to pay their expenses back to America；
but they utterly refused to leave； and continued to burrow in the
wretched suburbs of one of the German cities nearest the Russian
border。 Reams of correspondence ensuedall to no purpose； a
special messenger was sent to influence themall in vain： they
persisted in living just as near Russia as possible； and in
calling themselves American； though not one of them spoke
English。
From time to time appeared in our own country attacks against the
various American embassies and legations abroad for not
protecting such American citizens； and a very common feature of
these articles was an unfavorable comparison between the United
States and England： it being claimed that Great Britain protects
her citizens everywhere； while the United States does not。 This
statement is most misleading。 Great Britain； while she is
renowned for protecting her subjects throughout the world；
bringing the resources of her fleet； if need be； to aid
them；makes an exception as regards her adopted citizens in the
land of their birth。 The person who； having been naturalized in
Great Britain； goes back to the country of his birth； does so at
his or her own risk。 The British Government considers itself；
under such circumstances； entirely absolved from the duty of
giving protection。 The simple fact is that the United States goes
much further in protecting adopted citizens than does any other
country； and it is only rank demagogism which can find fault
because some of our thinking statesmen do not wish to see
American citizenship prostituted by persons utterly unfit to
receive it； who frequently use it fraudulently； and who； as many
cases prove； are quite ready to renounce it and take up their old
allegiance if they can gain advantage thereby。
Another general duty of the embassy was to smooth the way for the
large number of young men and women who came over as students。
This duty was especially pleasing to me now； as it had been
during my life as minister in Berlin twenty years before。 At that
time women were not admitted to the universities； but now large
numbers were in attendance。 The university authorities showed
themselves very courteous； and； when there was any doubt as to
the standing of the institution from which a candidate for
admission came； allowed me to pass upon the question and accepted
my certificate。 Almost without exception； I found these
candidates excellent； but there were some exceptions。 The
applicants were usually persons who had been graduated from some
one of our own institutions； but； from time to time； persons who
had merely passed a freshman year in some little American college
came abroad； anxious to secure the glory of going at once into a
German university。 Certificates for such candidates I declined to
sign。 To do so would have been an abuse sure to lead the German
authorities finally to reject the great mass of American
students： far better for applicants to secure the best advantages
possible in their own country； and then to supplement their study
at home by proper work abroad。
In sketches of my former mission to Berlin I have mentioned
various applications； some of them psychological curiosities；
these I found continuing； though with variations。 Some
compatriots expected me to forward to the Emperor begging
letters； or letters suggesting to him new ideas； unaware that
myriads of such letters are constantly sent which never reach
him； and which even his secretaries never think of reading。
Others sent books； not knowing the rule prevailing among crowned
heads； never to accept a PUBLISHED book； and not realizing that
if this rule were broken； not one book in a thousand would get
beyond the office of his general secretary。 Others sent medicine
which they wished him to recommend； and one gentleman was very
persistent in endeavoring to secure his Majesty's decision on a
wager。
Then there were singers or performers on wind or string
instruments wishing to sing or play before him； sculptors and
painters wishing him to visit their studios； and writers of music
wishing him to order their compositions to be brought out at the