Bill to Renounce U.S. Citizenship Passed by House

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.--(AP)--The House today passed by a standing vote of 111 to 33 an administration-approved bill by which native-born citizens of this country formally could renounce their citizenship in time of war, subject to approval of the attorney general.

Although the measure does not specifically name the Japanese-American citizens now interned in this country, it was aimed at them, the House immigration committee said, so that formal renunciation of American citizenship could be obtained from internees who have professed disloyalty.

The House rejected an amendment, sponsored by Rep. J. Leroy Johnson, Republican, California, which would have utilized previous expressions of disloyalty as the basis to deprive Japanese-Americans of their citizenship.