The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-09-08
LOCAL SOLDIER
HELD IN GREECE
James Machas, Though an
American Citizen, Held
for Service.
TO AMERICA
Kenoshan Now Subject of In
ternational Litigation Between
United States and Greece.

Visiting ones parents has it's dis
advantages for James Machas, a Ke-
noshan who served with American
troops overseas but who is now being
held by the military authorities in
Greece for service in the army despite
the fact that he is an American citi-
zen. Machas, now anxious to return
to the land of his adoption, cannot get
his passports vized and has been order
ed to stay in Greece ready to answer
a call to military service.
He has now appealed to the United
States government and has become the
subject of international litigation be-
tween the Department of State of the
United States and the Greek govern
ment
Served the "Stars and Stripes"
Machas was one of the Kenosha
young men who marched away to war
in the. early days of the conflict with
Germany. While at camp in Ala
bama he took out his second papers
and became a full fledged American
citizen. He served the "Stars and
Stripes" on the battle front and after
this was over, asked and secured q
passport to visit his parents at Alissas,
Patros, in Greece. On account of the
illness of his father, he was forced
to stay longer than he had expected
but he had his passport properly ex-
tended and had no thought other than
returning to America.
ssM ~ l. L.
to America. He was married on
February 2Sth, 1921, and subsequently
went to the authorities to have pass
ports made out to enable him to leave
Greece. Imagine his conservation
when he was told that he could not
leave Greece and that he might hold
himself in readiness for a call to the
colors in Greece. He appealed in vain
to the American consul at Patros but
could secure no redress.
Writes to Brother Here.
Young Machas then wrote to his
brother, William Machas, of the town
of Pleasant Prairie, asking that some
ing be done to help him out of his
predicament. The brother placed the
case in the hands of Attorney Clifford
E. Randall, who took up the affair
Immediately with the Secretary of
State and asked that an immediate
investigation be made.
The case has assumed international
proportions since it involves the rights
of an American citizen while travelling
in foreign lands and the State Depart
ment took up the matter Immediately
with result that Machas will probably
soon be granted his freedom.
Orders Him Released.
This morning Attorney Randall re-
ceived letter from Alvah A. Adee,
second Assistant Secretary of State,
explaining that steps had been taken
to secure the Kenosha soldiers release
con August 25th,' declares this let
ter, IAN instruction was addressed to
the American Charge d Affaires ad
interim at Athens, authorizing him to
take up Mr. Machas' case with the ap-
propriate Greek authorities, calling
their attention to- his naturalization
as an American citizen and asking that
he be released and permitted to re-
turn to this country"
1t is believed that Greece will not
longer dare to oppose. the United
States government in this question and
that Machas will soon be on his way
to Kenosha.