State Department Makes Clear Rights of Naturalized American Citizens

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The State Department in an additional announcement, has reiterated that while it objects to and protests against the enforcement of laws by foreign governments impressing American naturalized citizens into military service, “it can give no assurances that any objections which it makes will result in a remission or release.” The full text of the announcement is as follows:

“While this Government objects to the punishment of naturalized Americans by fines, forced military service or imprisonment for any unperformed military service which accrued after the entry of the naturalized citizen into the United States, it can give no assurance that any objections which it makes will result in a remission or release.

“This Government can not properly protest against punishment for any infraction of foreign law committed prior to the naturalized American’s entry into the United States.

“Naturalized citizens of the United States who come from countries with the governments of which the United States has not concluded naturalization treaties should, before visiting such countries consider the advisability of inquiring of the appropriate authorities thereof whether they will be immune from molestation in such countries, under the military service or other laws. The Department of State does not act as intermediary in such inquiries.”