Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24
(centinued PROM Thlrd Pagel

vided they obtain an authorization from
| the French Embassy In Washington Ak
ing the duration of their visit.
This privilege Is not extended, how
ever, to the minor children OF French
men who become citizens Of the United
States under our laws by virtue of the
naturalization of their fathers. The
French hold that no citizen of France
can change his allegiance before he
reaches the age OF 81 They make no
bones whatever OF holding such Ameri-
can citizens liable for the full require
mentS of the French military law.
Greece recognized naturalization in
other countries up to January Is, 1914.
After that date, however, no natHraiiza-
ton of q Greek is valid unless he has
obtained the consent OF the Greek gov
eminent to his transfer OF allegiance.
Italy apparently makes no exemptions
from her requirements for universal
military service from all of her native
born sons, regardless Of whether they
are natufaliEed elsewhere or not. She
also demands service according to the
law of. the blood from the foreign born
sons of italian citizens, with the posi-
BILE single exception OF the American
born son Of an Italian father natuFalized
In this country. There are, however,
various arrangements by which italian
sular service, secure exemption Tor
cause without returning to italy.
Fascist Stand IL Cited.
The recent attacks upon the Fascist
regime for its military exaetions from
Americans arose as part OF the con-
tinuous struggle between Fascist and
nen-Fascist sympathizers In this coun-
try. It has been asserted that Musso-
lini considers the United States an
Italian colony because naturalized
Americans of italian origin or Amer
ican-born sons of Italian parents have
been held for military service If they
ventured to visit the homeland. There
are further allegations that adherence
to Fascist principles and obedience to
Faseiest instructions on the part OF
Italian Americans serve to exempt the
returning sojourner from these burden
some requirements, while the law Is en-
forced with full rigor against those
Italian Americans who fail to give en-
thusiastic support to the Fasciest
regime.
regrettable, but it Is hardly a matter
in which the American Government can
take hand. If italian law is not en-
forced uniformly in Italy, that is an
Italian and not an American affair,
Nor can Washington undertake to revise
italian law. Italian law makes an Ital-
Ian subject liable TO military service and,
even though the italian subject may be
q naturaliEed citizen according to
American law, Washington can do no
more than make request for his ex-
emption, for American law does not run
in Italy.
Nevertheless, the Fascist government
is somewhat sensitive to American
opinion and, in an effort to avoid any
III will because of these charges. issued
q statement on November 3 which pro-
videS for q certain relaxation in the APP
plication of the law.
Exempt While Abroad.
First, all italian citizens residing
abroad are exempt from military serv-
ice In time Of peace so long as they
remain abroad.
Second, such citizens shall not be re-
ouired to report for service during a
visit to Italy provided the visit does
not exceed three months for those living
in other Mediterranean countries and
year for those living in tranSoceanic
countries. This also lin time of peace"
Third, because it is impossible for
Italy to place In active service all those
who are legally liable for such service,
those who come from abroad will not be
called upon to report even though they
carry Italian passports, under all cir
cumstances which are not war"
This statement may serve to ease the
burden Of apprehension of Italian-AIner-
leans who desire to return to Italy In
time of peace. But 1t is to be noted that