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 64 on its merits and enter a final order accordingly. In cases where the petitioner fails to prosecute his petition, the petition shall be decided upon its merits unless the Commissioner moves that the petition be dismissed for lack of prosecution."

(b) Section 334 (b) of the Nationality Act of 1940, as amended, is amended to read as follows:

"(b) The requirement of subsection (a) of this Section for the examination of the petitioner and witnesses under oath before the court and in the presence of the court shall not apply in any case where a designated examiner has conducted the preliminary examination authorized by subsection (a) of Section 333; except that the court may, in its discretion, and shall, upon the demand of the petitioner, require the examination of the petitioner and the witnesses under oath before the court and in the presence of the court . If the petitioner is prevented by sickness or other disability from being in open court for the final hearing upon petition for naturalization, such final hearing may be had by a judge or judges at such place as may be designated by the court."

AMENDING SECTION 335 OF NATIONALITY ACT OF 1940

Section 335 of the Nationality Act of 1940, as amended, is amended to read:

" (a) A person who has petitioned for naturalization shall, before being admitted to citizenship, take in open court one of the oaths set forth in subsection (b) of this section (1) to support the Constitution of the United States; (2) to renounce and abjure absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the petitioner was before a subject or citizen; (3) to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; (4) to bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and (5) to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law, or to perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law: Provided, That any such person shall be required to take the oath prescribed in subsection (b) (1) of this section unless by clear and convincing evidence he can show to the satisfaction of the naturalization court that he is opposed to the bearing of arms or the performance of noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States by reason of religious training and belief: Provided further, That in the case of the naturalization of a child under the provisions of section 315 or 316 of this Act the naturalization court may waive the taking of either of such oaths if in the opinion of the court the child is unable to understand their meaning.

"(b) As provided in subsection (a) of this section, the petitioner for naturalization shall take one of the following oaths: "(1) 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 of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States or perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion: So help me God. In acknowledgment whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature; or

"(2) 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 of whom or which I have heretofore