the Minister of Interior. The petition must specify the country the citizenship of which the applicant wishes to acquire.

It is understood that, in practice, Americanborn male persons of Latvian parentage reaching full age and presenting an appropriate certificate, such as a passport, required under Latvian law to prove nationality in a foreign country, have experienced no difficulty in renouncing Latvian citizenship. Likewise, naturalized American citizens of former Latvian nationality possessing valid American passports have, in the past, not been held liable to military service in the Latvian Army when temporarily sojourning in that country.

Under the Latvian military service law, male Latvian citizens over 15 years of age cannot be permitted to renounce their Latvian citizenship until they have served in the active or the reserve services of the Army up to their thirtieth year, unless they have been declared exempt from military service.

53. Lithuania.-The Department understands that there has been no difficulty with the Lithuanian authorities in connection with military service of naturalized American citizens of Lithuanian origin or of American-born sons of Lithuanian citizens, and that the possession of American citizenship documents has been sufficient to relieve them of military obligations in Lithuania. The American Legation at Kaunas has informed the Department that in case of necessity the interested person should apply to

the Legation, which will endeavor to effect an amicable settlement of difficulties encountered with the Lithuanian authorities.

54. Netherlands.-The Department understands that a Netherlands national who is naturalized as a citizen of the United States is not thereby released from military obligations in the Netherlands unless such naturalization took place before or shortly after his registration for military service in the Netherlands. Such person may, if in the Netherlands, petition to have his name removed from the military register or, if in the United States, petition the Netherlands Minister of Defense through a Netherlands diplomatic or consular officer for exemption from liability to military service. A person born a citizen of the United States under its laws who is considered a national of the Netherlands under the laws of that country is not by reason of his American citizenship exempt from military service in the Netherlands. He may, however, petition the Netherlands Minister of Defense for partial or entire exemption. Each petition is decided upon the basis of the facts in the case.

The Department is informed that a person having the status of a national of the Netherlands must register in person or by proxy during the year in which he will attain the age of 18 years provided he or his legal representative resides in the Netherlands. One not subject to military service on January 1 of the

year in which he reaches the age of 18 but who subsequently becomes subject to such service before January 1 of the year in which he attains the age of 25 years is required to register for military service.

55. Persia. (See Iran.)

56. 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 citizens.

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 military 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.

57. 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 natu