Office of the Historian

Mr. Eustis to Mr. Gresham.

Embassy of the United States,
Paris, August 9, 1893. (Received August 21.)
No. 38.]

Sir: I inclose herewith copy and translation of the recent law on foreigners in France, which was promulgated on the 8th instant. It provides substantially that foreigners who have not obtained leave to be domiciled in France or who come into the country for the purpose of exercising their professions or doing any kind of business therein, will have to register within eight days after their arrival at the place where they propose to reside. They will receive upon payment of a fee a certificate stating that they have complied with the law without which they can not obtain employment. If they change their place of residence this certificate is to be visaed by the mayor of the locality.

Foreigners at present established in France have a month given them to comply with the requirements of these new regulations.

Apparently the law does not apply to foreigners traveling in France or residing therein for the purposes of health or pleasure. It is mainly directed against foreign laborers. Foreigners who have secured the rights of domicile, which are quite different from those required by simple residence in France, are likewise exempt from the provisions of the law. Application for the rights of domicile is considered as a preliminary step toward naturalization.

I have, etc.,

J. B. Eustis.
[Inclosure in No. 38.—Translation.]

law relating to the sojourn of foreigners in france and to the protection of national labor.

The Senate and Chamber of Deputies have adopted, the President of the Republic promulgates the following law:

Article 1. Any foreigner, not admitted to domicile, arriving in any commune to exercise a profession, trade, or industry should make a declaration of residence at the mairie, while furnishing proofs of his identity within a week of his arrival. There will be opened for this purpose a list of enrollment of foreigners according to the form determined upon by a ministerial decision.

An extract of this register will be delivered to party making declaration, in the form of the acts of civil registration (Etat civil) with the same charges therefor.

In case of change of domicile the foreigner will have his certificate of matriculation visaed within two days of his arrival at the mairie (town hall).

Art. 2. Any person employing knowingly a foreigner unprovided with a certificate of matriculation will be liable to the usual police fines.

Art. 3. A foreigner who shall not have made the declaration required by law within the specified period, or who shall refuse to produce his certificate at the first requisition will be liable to a fine of from 50 to 200 francs.

Anyone who shall knowingly have made a false or inaccurate declaration will be liable to a fine of from 100 to 300 francs, and if needs be to temporary or indefinite interdiction of sojourn on French territory.

A foreigner expelled from French territory and who shall have returned without the authorization of the Government will be liable to from one to six months’ imprisonment. At the expiration of his sentence he will be reconducted to the frontier.

Article 463 of the penal code is applicable to the cases in view of the present law.

Art. 4. The amount derived from the imposition of fines in view of the present law will go to the funds of the municipality of the commune wherein the foreigner who has been fined resided.

Art. 5. A delay of one month is accorded to all foreigners referred to in article 1 now residing in France to comply with the prescription of the law.

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The present law, deliberated and adopted by the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, will be executed as a law of the state.

Done at Fontainebleau August 8, 1893.

Carnot.

By the President of the Republic, the president of the council, minister of the interior.

Ch. Dupuy.

The keeper of the seals, minister of justice.

E. Guerin.