of election.

It should also be noted that the Act of 1907 in §§ 5 and 6, [Footnote 26] has specific reference to children born without the United States of alien parents, but says nothing as to the loss of citizenship by minor children born in the United States.

That in the latter case the child was not deemed to have lost his American citizenship by virtue of the terms of the statute, but might still with reasonable promptness on attaining majority manifest his election is shown by the views expressed in the instructions issued under date of November 24, 1923, by the Department of State to the American Diplomatic and Consular Officers. [Footnote 27] These instructions dealt with the questions arising under the citizenship act of March 2, 1907,and cases of dual nationality. It was stated that it was deemed desirable "to inform diplomatic and consular officers of the department's conclusions, for their guidance in handling individual cases." Commenting on dual nationality, the instructions said:

"The term 'dual nationality' needs exact appreciation. It refers to the fact that two States make equal claim to the allegiance of an individual at the same time. Thus, one State may claim his allegiance because of his birth within its territory, and the other because, at the time of his birth in foreign territory, his parents were its nationals. The laws of the United States purport to clothe persons with American citizenship by virtue of both principles."

And, after referring to the Fourteenth Amendment and the Act of February 10, 1855, R.S.