Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XII.djvu/178

 170 NATURALIZATION nor of the province where he intends to re- side, and explain the nature of his occupation in his own country and the pursuit he pur- poses to follow in Russia; upon the receipt of which declaration he becomes domiciled. When the requisite time has elapsed applica- tion for naturalization must he made to the minister of the interior, with whom it is op- tional to refuse or grant the petition. If grant- ed, the alien becomes naturalized by taking an oath of fidelity to the emperor, and is then in respect to his rights and obligations upon a perfect equality with native-born Russians. He may if he wishes afterward renounce his naturalization on payment of all claims against him, governmental or private, and return to his native country or remain in Russia as a foreigner. Foreigners in the military or civil service of- Russia, and ecclesiastics of foreign persuasions, are naturalized by taking the oath of allegiance without any fixed period of domi- cile. The oath of allegiance is merely per- sonal, and does not affect children previously born, who however may be admitted upon the same terms as their parents. Children who are born afterward are Russians. Children of foreigners born and educated in Russia, or born abroad and educated in a Russian upper or middle school, may be naturalized a year after they have attained their majority. As most of the German states are now incorpo- rated in the German empire, their previous regulations respecting naturalization and citi- zenship, have been modified by a comprehen- sive provision preserved from the constitution of the North German confederation adopted in 1867, which declared that citizenship should thereafter be subject to the regulations of the confederation and of its legislature ; that a com- mon right of citizenship prevailed in the con- federation, and that the citizens of each con- stituent member of it should be treated as na- tives in all the others. A bureau has recently been established by the national government to which, it is said, this whole subject has been committed. As a general rule, under the regu- lations formerly in force, naturalization was granted if the applicant had been released from his former allegiance, or had been allowed by his government to emigrate; if he were of good character, and had discharged all his ob- ligations in the particular state to which he be- longed, such as paying his debts and fulfilling his military duty, which latter condition was required only of those from other German states. Application was made in writing to the council of the city or village where the ap- plicant resided, showing that he came within the above requirements. The petition was closely scrutinized, and if favorably regarded was sent with a report to the highest authority in the state, and a diploma signed by the prop- er minister was transmitted and given to the petitioner upon the payment of a small fee. If the petition was refused by the local author- ities, it was simply sent back, but the reasons were given if applied for. An Appeal might be taken, but was of little value, as the deci- sion of the local authorities was almost inva- riably affirmed. In Prussia, by a law of 1842, the superior administrative authorities are em- powered to naturalize any stranger who satis- fies them of his good conduct, certain excep- tions being made. Citizenship is acquired by nomination to a public office, or by the mar- riage of a foreign woman with a Prussian. The quality of a Prussian subject is lost by His being discharged upon his request, which is not granted to males between the ages of 17 and 25 years without a military certificate that the application is not made to avoid the per- formance of their military duty. It is also lost by the sentence of a court, by living ten years in a foreign country, by entering a for- eign service without the permission of Prussia, or by the marriage of a female subject wipi a foreigner. If there is no special exemption, the certificate of discharge comprehends the wife and the minor children that are still un- der their father's authority. In Austria, a foreigner acquires the rights of citizenship if employed as a public functionary, but not by mere admission into the military service, nor by receiving a title of distinction or honor, but is treated as a citizen if maintained by the government on account of military ser- vices. The right may be conferred by the superior authorities upon an individual after ten years' residence without interruption, upon proof of the fact and upon taking the oath of allegiance. The authorities, however, may grant it before the expiration of that period upon proof of good moral character and of the applicant's ability to support himself ; and foreigners acquire the rights of citizens by entering into business requiring a permanent residence. The temporary possession of a farm, however, of a house or other real estate, or the mere establishment of a manufactory, or a commercial business, or a partnership, does not confer the right. An emigrant who has left the empire by permission of the au- thorities, with the intention not to return, for- feits his privileges as a subject. Marriage with an Austrian confers citizenship upon the wife. In Switzerland, under the constitution of May 29, 1874, a foreigner obtains citizen- ship, and thereby equal rights with the citizens in all cantons, by paying a fee in any commune, varying from about $4 to $300, according to the amount of communal property. In Portugal, an application must be made to the king through the secretary of foreign affairs, which is re- ferred to the council of state. The applicant must be over 25 years of age, have resided in the country one year, and have the means of subsistence. The year's residence may be dis pensed with if he is of Portuguese blood, 01 upon proof that he has married a Portuguese, or been useful to the state by embarking in commerce, improving any branch of the arts, or introducing any new trade, manufacture, or