and on the German Government for the
release of an American citizen named Mayer, who has been wrongfully forced
to serve in the German army.

This matter is of interest to us, because it shows us our rights as
citizens.

The father of this Mayer was a German citizen who came to this country,
lived here for a good number of years, and returned to his native land
when his son was between eleven and twelve years old.

The elder Mayer never took out his naturalization papers, and therefore
remained a citizen of Germany.

The younger Mayer was nevertheless an American citizen because he was born
here, and this is the point that interests us.

According to our law, all persons who are born within the boundaries of
the United States are American citizens. The nationality of the parents
makes no difference whatever, nor does it signify whether the father was a
citizen or not. The mere fact of being born in this country is sufficient
to make a man an American citizen. The United States claims him, and
protects him if he needs protection.

When young Mayer's parents went hack to Germany they educated their boy in
German schools, and he grew up as a German boy.

When he came to be twenty-one years of age he was ordered to serve his
time in the German army. He refused to do this, on the ground that he was
an American citizen.

He was nevertheless claimed by the authorities and forced to join the
army.

In Germany there is a law, that every young man who reaches the age of
twenty-one must go into the army and serve as a soldier for two years.

The very day the young Germans come of age they are bound to offer
themselves for military service.

In many of the towns, advertisements are put in the newspapers giving the
names of the lads who are nearing the age of twenty-one, and telling them
where to report for duty.

In other places the military authorities send each young man an order to
report for duty on the morning of his birthday.

There is no avoiding this service, which was formerly for three years, but
has been changed to two.

The young men who do not answer the call are searched for, and, when
found, slightly punished.

Lads who are in foreign countries are ordered home. If they do not report
for military service within a certain space of time, they are punished
with an extra year of service.

When young Mayer was forced to join the German army, he appealed to the
American Government to help him.

When