Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 40 Part 2.djvu/274

 CONVENTION——GREAT BRITAIN. JUNE 3, 1918. 1623 Excnmsn or Norms RELATING T0 Aizrrcnn I. [The Ambassador of Great Britain on Special Mission to the Secretary of State.] Bnrrxsn Emasssr Washington, June 3, 1918. Sm: With reference to the Military Service Convention between the United States and Great Britain signed today, I am instructed by His Majesty’s Government t0 explain why the groviso to Article One does not limit the military service of citizens of the Unite States in Great Britain to those of the ages specified in the laws of the United States prescribing compulsory military service, as requested by the United States Government. The reason for the omission of this clause in the proviso is a desire to avoid the delay that would be involved in modifying the Military Service Acts 1916 to 1918, whic control the operation of any convention of this character. I beg you, therefore, to be good enough not to press this proposal. The effect of these Acts is to make United States citizens in Great Britain under this convention liable to military service between the ages oi 18 and 49 both inclusive. The limitation of the ages o United States citizens in Great Britain for the purpose of military service to those prescribed in the laws of the United States relating to compulsory military service may, however, be attained without amendment of these Acts b exercise of the United States of its right of exemption under Article Three. His lydajestfs Government understand, therefore, that the United States Government will exercise their right under Article Three to exempt from comrglsory military service in Great Britain all citizens of the United States in Great ritain, out~ side the ages specified in the laws of the United States prescribing compulsory military service. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, Rename The Honorable Ronmzr Larzsme, Secretary of State of the United States. _ [Tim Secretary of State to tlw Ambassador of Great Britain on Special Mission.] Dnranrmizxr or Siwriz, Washington, June 8, 1918. Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s note of this date in regard to the Military Service Convention between the United States and Great Britain signed today, in which you state that vou are instructed to explain why the proviso to Article One does not limit the military service of citizens of the United States in Great Britain to those of the ages specified in the laws of the United States prescribing compulsory military service as requested by the United States Government. In explanation Your Excellency states as follows: ‘ ‘ The reason for the omission of this clause in the roviso is a desire to avoid the delay which would be involved in modifying the Klilitary Service Acts 1916 to 1918, which control the operation of any convention of this character. I beg you therefore to be good enough not to ress this proposal. " The effect of these Acts is to make United States citizens in Great Britain under this convention liable to military service between the ages of 18 and 49 years, both inclusive. The limitation of the ages of United States citizens in Great Britain for the purposes of military service to those prescribed in the laws of the United States relating to compulsory military service, may however, be attained without amendment of these Acts by the exercise by the United States of its ripight of exem tion under Article Three." Your Excel ency adds gnat " His Majesty’s Government understand, therefore that the United States Government will exercise its ri%ht under Article Three to exem t from compulsory military service in Great ritain all citizens of the Unitedp States in Great Britain, outside the ages specified in the laws of the United States prescribing compulsory military service. " In rep y I have the honor to inform your Excellency that the Government of the United States is pleased to accept this explanation of said Article One and in lieu of a clause in this Article limiting the milita service of citizens of the United States in Qreat Britain to those of the ages speciHe:lrin the laws of the United States prescnbing compulsory military service to exercise its right under Article Three to exempt from compulsory milita service in Great Britain all citizens of the United Statesin Great Britain outside Sl the ages specified in the laws of the United States prescribing compulsory military service. I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, Xour Exce1lency’s most obedient servant, _ Ronsnr Laxsms His Excellency Tm-: EARL or Rsanrxc, Amizassador of Great Britain On Special Jlissiowz.