Mr. Hicks to Mr. Blaine.
Lima, January 14, 1890. (Received February 3.)
Sir: This legation is frequently visited by men of European birth who have resided in the United States, where they have declared their intention of becoming citizens, but who have never completed their naturalization.
These men are in a state which naturally excites their apprehension, having renounced on oath all allegiance to their native land and not having completed the formalities which entitle them to be classed as full citizens of the land of their adoption.
Unless the Government of the United States can extend some protection, they feel that they are emphatically “without a country.” While they are manifestly not full citizens in the purview of the statutes, it seems to me that they are deserving of some attention as Americans. In the case of one who appealed for protection to this legation, I have drawn up a certificate stating the facts in his case and recommending him to such protection as he is entitled. While the instructions and regulations seem to discourage anything of the kind, I do not see that they positively prohibit it. I inclose herewith a copy of the certificate, which has not been issued, and await Departments instructions on the subject.
I will add that, as appears from innumerable “certificates of citizenship” in the hands of foreign-born residents in Peru, it was the custom of my predecessor in this legation during the war between Chile and Peru to issue “protection” of this kind to all who applied for it.
I have, etc.,