NATURALISM. 277 NATURALIZATION. are not matorialists at all, Ijut naturalists in this sense of the term. <Ji>|)osed to the naturalists are the teleologists. See Teleology; Lotze; and consult: Ward, Xaturulistn and Agtwslicism (London, 1899); KiJnig, Die Enticickluiig des Causdiprublems (Leipzig, 1888-90) ; Sigwart, "Per Kanipf gegen Zweck." in Kleinc Schriftcn (2d ed., Freiburg, 1889) ; Erhardt, Mevhanismtts und Tclcologic (Leipzig, 1890). NATURALISM (in Literature). See Real- ism A.NO XaTI KALISII. NATURALISTS, American Society of. An assoeiatioii urbanized in 1883, to exchange ideas relating to the problems of natural history. The society now has an active menil)ership of 230. The meetings (if the Muiety are held annually. NATURALIZATION. The act or process by which in any country an alien acquires citizen- ship. The ]>roeess consists of two parts, viz. the formal renunciation of the old allegiance and the assiniiption of a new allegiance. The rights and privileges of naturalized citizens are enumer- ated and defined by the municipal law of every State. In few or no eases are they the same js those of native-born citizens. In the United .■states they enjoy the same civil rights as natural- born citizens, and all of the political rights except eligibility to the oflices of President and Vice- President. The right of a subject or citizen to renounce his allegiance with a view to acquiring citizenship in another State is now generally recognized. (See E.p.triation.) In order to prevent possible conllicts of jurisdiction grow- ing out of the practice of naturalization and the return of naturalized citizens to their na- tive coiuitry, it is customary for States to enter into treaties for the regulation of matters relating thereto. Thus, the United States has entered into eleven treaties with foreign pow- ers, in all of which, except that with Great Britain, it is provided that five years of unin- terrupted residence with formal naturalization constitutes citizenship on both sides. A major- ity of them contain the provision that a natural- ized citizen returning to his native State shall, after an uninterrupted residence there of two years, be presumed to have renounced his ac- quired citizenship. It is also a general principle that naturalization does not release an individual from any obligations to his native State which he may have incurred before emigration, as. for example, military service; and if lie returns to such State he may lie held to the fulfillment of his obligations without being able to invoke the protection of the LTnited States, unless treaty stipulations provide otherwise. In the United States, the whole matter of naturalization is subject to the regulation of t'ongress. This power is held to be exclusive, and cannot, therefore, be exercised by the States. Ilowever. it is not construed to deprive the State of the right to restrict the civil and political rights of aliens, nor does it prohibit thcni from granting the suffrage to aliens, or allowing them to hold office. The statutes of Congress provide that any alien, with certain exceptions, may become a naturalized citizen of the I'nited States by making a declaration on oath, before a circuit or district court of the United States, or a district or supreme court of the Territories, or a court of record of any of the States having common-law jurisdiction, at least two years prior to his admission, that it i.-~ liis hi, mi fidr intention
become a citizen of the United States, and
to renounce at the same time all allegiance to any foreign State, as well as all hereditary titles of nobility which he may hold. This step is known as the declaration of intention, and after it is made the declarant is perhaps morally entitled to a qualified amount of protection from the United States, although it cannot be claimed as an absolute right. (See KosZT.v Affaih. ) The full admissiim to citizenship follows after due proof has been furnished that the declarant has resided in the United States at least five years next preceding his admission, and with- in the State or Territory where the court sits for one year. By the act of 1790 the term of residence required was two years; in 179") it was extended to five years; and in 1798 it was raised to fourteen years. Since 1802, however, the term has remained at five jears. A niiuor alien who has resided in the United States for a ])eriod of three years next preceding his arrival at the age of twenty-one, and who has continued to reside there up to the time of his application, may be admitted to citizenship without the pre- vious declaration, provided he luis resided in the United States for a ])eriod of five years. Any alien seaman who has served three years on a merchant vessel of the United States subsequent to the date of his declaration may become a citizen by the production of a certificate of dis- charge and good conduct. The widow and chil- dren of an alien who has declared his intention of becoming a citizen, but dies before completing the final steps of naturalization, are considered as citizens upon taking the oath prescribed by law. An alien woman who marries a citizen of the United States, and who herself might be lawfully naturalized, is considered a citizen. Children born outside of the limits of the United States, but of parents who are citizens, are con- sidered as citizens ; but the rights of citizenship in such cases do not descend to children whose parents never resided in the United States. Since 1870 the privilege of naturalization has been extended to aliens of African nativity and of African descent. Chinese aliens ai'e excluded by statute of Congre.ss from the privilege of nat- uralization. In Great Britain formerly the naturalization of an individual could be effected only by special act of Parliament. It was not until 1844 that a general naturalization law was enacted. This was followed by the comprehensive act of 1870, which with a few changes is the law now in force. By this act it is provided that an alien who has resided within the United Kingdom for a period of five years, and who inteiuls to continue his residence therein, may apply to one of the principal secretaries of State for a certificate of naturalization, jiresenting such evi- dence as to residence and character as may be required. It is wholly within the discretion of the .secretary as to whether the certificate shall be granted. A naturalized citizen in Great Britain is entitled to all the civil and political rights and privileges, and subject to all the obligations of natural-born citizens, except that when in his native State he shall not be deemed a BritLsh citizen unless he has complied with all the laws of that State regarding expatriation. Consult: Davis. EUmrnls of Internntionnl Law (Xew York. 1900) ; Woolsey, International Law
