This declaration is recorded, and a certified copy of it is furnished by the clerk of the court to the person so declaring his intention.  He is then said to have his “first papers.”  See page 290. 2.  The Final Step.—­After two years from the time of declaring his intention, provided that he has resided in the United States continuously for five years, and also at least one year within the state or territory wherein the court is held, he may appear in open court and there upon oath renounce all allegiance, as declared in his statement of intention, and swear to support the constitution of the United States.  If he has borne any hereditary title, he must renounce it.  He must have two witnesses to certify to his residence and to his moral character.  These proceedings are recorded, and he is given a certificate of naturalization.  See page 201.

An alien arriving in the United States before reaching the age of eighteen and continuously residing therein until making his application for citizenship, provided that he has resided in the United States five years, may on coming of age be admitted to citizenship at once, without the interval between the declaration and the consummation.  He must, however, make declaration, must prove his moral character by two witnesses, and must satisfy the court that for three years it has been bona fide his intention to become a citizen of the United States.

Status of Minors.—­The naturalization of a man confers citizenship upon his wife and upon such of his children as are minors at the time.  A child of his born in this country, either before or after his naturalization, is a “natural-born” citizen.  This is also the case if the child is born on the ocean while the parents are coming to this country, provided that they are coming with the intention of seeking citizenship.  If an alien dies after declaring his intention, his wife and minor children may become citizens upon taking the oath required.

Losing Citizenship.—­By treaties with Austria, Baden, Bavaria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, the Grand Duchy of Hesse, Mexico, Norway and Sweden, Denmark, and Wurtemberg, it is provided that “a renewal of domicile in the mother country, with the intent not to return (and two years residence is presumptive evidence of such intent), shall work renewal of the former allegiance.”

In some of the treaties it is further provided that when the subject has emigrated to avoid military duty, “the right to exact which was complete before his departure, such service may be enforced on his return in spite of intervening naturalization.” (See also U.S.  Revised Statutes of 1878, §§ 2165-74.)

HOW CITIZENS ABROAD ARE PROTECTED.

One of the things that makes citizenship desirable is the protection which it secures.  This is particularly grateful when one is in a foreign country.  What a feeling of strength and security one has when far away from home among strangers to know that his rights must be respected, to realize that behind him is the might of the nation!