47. PERSIA. It is provided in article 13 of the Persian nationality law of September 7, 1929, that Persian nationals may not abandon their nationality except under the following conditions:

(1) They must have reached the age of 18 years.

(2) They must have the authorization of the Council of Ministers.

(3) They must agree beforehand to transfer to a Persian subject, in some manner and within one year after the repudiation of their Persian nationality, all their rights to the immovable property they may own in Persia or which they might acquire by inheritance, even if Persian law authorizes foreign nationals to possess immovable property.

It is provided in article 14 of the Persian nationality law of September 7, 1929, that if any Persian subject in violation of the above-mentioned provisions should acquire foreign nationality, such nationality will be considered as null and void and the party concerned will be treated as a Persian national. Meanwhile, however, all his immovable property will be sold under the supervision of the local public prosecutor, and the proceeds of the sale after the deduction of costs will be delivered to him.

Article 2 of the Law of Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreign Nationals in Persia, effective June 6, 1931, stipulates that visas must be refused to those persons who are considered Persian subjects under Persian law and who may desire to make a trip to Persia with nonPersian nationality papers. Article 3 of the

same law provides for the deportation of persons who may enter Persia contrary to the provisions of article 2.

There is no treaty of naturalization between the United States and Persia defining the status while in Persia of former Persian subjects who have become naturalized as American citizens. Consequently no assurance can be given to such persons that any representations made on their behalf by the American diplomatic or consular officers abroad will be successful.

48. POLAND. Military service in Poland is compulsory. All male citizens of Poland, and all male inhabitants of Poland who are unable to prove foreign citizenship, are liable to military service between the ages of 21 (or 19 in time of war) and 50. Recruits are drafted for active service in the calendar year in which they become 21 years of age (19 in time of war). The statutory term of active service is 24 months (25 months in the cavalry, field artillery, and air service). After active service the soldier is placed in reserve. He remains a reservist until the calendar year in which he becomes 40 years of age. Thereafter, until the calendar year in which he becomes 50 years of age, he is liable to service in the general levy. Special provisions are made in respect to the liability of foreigners who become Polish citi

zens.

All persons liable to military service are registered, during the calendar year in which they

become 18 years of age, by the officials of the community in which they reside in Poland or by the Polish consul in whose district they reside abroad. Registration is compulsory. The draft takes place between May 1 and June 30. Supplemental drafts may be made at other times during the year. Conscripts are usually called for service in October.

It is understood that under the Polish nationality law of January 20, 1920, effective January 31, 1920, persons born in the United States of Polish parents prior to January 31, 1920, are not regarded by Poland as Polish citizens. Those, however, who were born in the United States on or after January 31, 1920, of Polish parents, are regarded by Poland as Polish citizens.

Concerning naturalized citizens, it is understood that persons who would have become Polish citizens under the Polish nationality law of January 20, 1920 (effective January 31, 1920), but who were naturalized as citizens of the United States prior to the effective date of the law are not regarded by Poland as Polish citizens. Polish citizens liable to military service who were naturalized as American citizens on or after January 31, 1920, are regarded by Poland as Polish citizens and as liable to active military service, unless consent has been obtained from the Polish authorities for the acquisition of foreign citizenship. However, it may be stated that former citizens of the Russian Empire who acquired American citizenship after January 31, 1920, and who on April 30,

1921, were outside of Polish territory and did not exercise their right of option for Polish citizenship provided for in the treaty of Riga, never acquired Polish citizenship and therefore are not liable for military service.

It is understood that under article 88 of the Polish military service law of March 8, 1928, persons having Polish citizenship under Polish law who can prove that they acquired American citizenship by birth in the United States or were naturalized as citizens of the United States with the consent of the Polish authorities, are not subject to military obligations as from the time of the submission of such proof.

There is no treaty between the United States and Poland defining the status while in Poland of former Polish citizens who have become American citizens. Therefore, it may be desirable for such persons before going to Poland to ascertain whether they may be held for mili- · tary service by that country. It is suggested that this information may be sought from the Polish Government direct or through Polish diplomatic or consular officers. This Department does not act as the intermediary in such requests.

49. RUMANIA. According to the Law of Recruitment of 1930 only Rumanian subjects can be recruited and incorporated into the Rumanian Army.

Naturalized American citizens, formerly Rumanian subjects who left the country when they were of recruiting age or who, having been

recruited, emigrated before the time that they were to present themselves for incorporation into the Rumanian Army, may return to Rumania for a visit and will not be requested to serve their term in the Army if they furnish documentary evidence of their American naturalization, since under Rumanian law Rumanian nationality is lost by naturalization in a foreign state. However, those who during their military service committed a crime, such as desertion, destruction of material, offending a superior officer, etc., and have not been tried before the competent military tribunals, or whose crime has not been outlawed by the statute of limitations, must appear before the competent Rumanian military courts.

50. RUSSIA. (See Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.)

51. SERBS, CROATS AND SLOVENES. (See Yugoslavia.)

52. SPAIN. The Spanish Government holds, with reference to former Spanish subjects who have acquired foreign nationality by naturalization, that while the quality of being a Spaniard is lost by naturalization in another country, distinction must be made as to whether the said naturalization took place prior to or subsequent to the attainment of the age fixed for conscription in the Spanish Army. In the first