children.

Then I telegraphed the facts to Senator Lodge, who went in
person to the Treasury Department, but could get no more
favorable reply. Senator Lodge's telegram announcing their
refusal was received in Worcester Tuesday evening, and repeated
to me in Boston just as I was about to deliver an address
before the Catholic College there. It was too late to do
anything that night. Early Wednesday morning, the day before
the children were to sail, when they were already on the ship,
I sent the following dispatch to President Roosevelt:

TO THE PRESIDENT, WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D. C.

I appeal to your clear understanding and kind and brave heart
to interpose your authority to prevent an outrage which will
dishonor the country and create a foul blot on the American
flag. A neighbor of mine in Worcester, Mass., a Syrian by
birth, made some time ago his public declaration for citizenship.
He is an honest, hard-working and in every way respectable
man. His wife with two small children have reached New York.

He sent out the money to pay their passage. The children
contracted a disorder of the eyes on the ship. The Treasury
authorities say that the mother may land but the children
cannot, and they are to be sent back Thursday. Ample bond
has been offered and will be furnished to save the Government
and everybody from injury or loss. I do not think such a
thing ought to happen under your Administration, unless you
personally decide that the case is without remedy. I am told
the authorities say they have been too easy heretofore, and
must draw the line now. That shows they admit the power to
make exceptions in proper cases. Surely, an exception should
be made in the case of little children of a man lawfully here,
and who has duly and in good faith declared his intention
to become a citizen. The immigration law was never intended
to repeal any part of the naturalization laws which provide
that the minor children get all the rights of the father as
to citizenship. My son knows the friends of this man personally
and that they are highly respectable and well off. If our
laws require this cruelty, it is time for a revolution, and
you are just the man to head it.

GEORGE F. HOAR.

Half an hour from the receipt of that dispatch at the White
House Wednesday forenoon, Theodore Roosevelt, President of
the United States, sent a peremptory order to New York to
let the children come in. They have entirely r