Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 56 Part 2.djvu/831

 56 STAT.] YUGOSLAVIA-MILITARY SERVICE Mar 31, May 14 1942 June 25, Sept. 30 ,1942 1917 Agreement between the United States of America andYugoslavia respecting March 31, May 14. miltary service. Effected by exchanges of notes signed or dated at September 3, 194 Itashington March 31, May 14, June 25, and September 30, 1942; -[E. -A .S .30 9 effective May 18, 1942. The Acting Secretary of State to the Yugoslav Minister DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON March 31, 1942 SIR: I have the honor to refer to my note of March 24,[ I] in acknowledg- ment of your note of March 10 ['] referring to the desire of your Govern- ment to engage in its armed forces certain Yugoslav citizens resident in the United States. Various Departments and agencies of this Government were con- sulted, as noted in my preliminary acknowledgment of your note, in the formulation of the procedure under which the status of alien residents of the United States would be determined, with regard to the United States Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended.[ 2] This uniform procedure, which would be applicable to persons of the classes mentioned in your note, may be set forth as follows: As you are aware the Act provides that with certain exceptions every male citizen of the United States and every other male person residing in the United States between the ages of eighteen and sixty- five shall register. The Act further provides that, with certain exceptions, registrants within specified age limits are liable for active military service in the United States armed forces. This Government recognizes that from the standpoint of morale of the individuals concerned and the over-all military effort of the countries at war with the Axis Powers, it would be desirable to permit. certain classes of individuals who have registered or who may register under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, to enlist in the armed forces of a co-belligerent country, should they desire to do so. It will be recalled that during the World War this Government signed conventions with certain associated powers on this subject. The United States Government believes, however, that under existing circumstances the same ends may now be accom- plished through administrative action, thus obviating the delays incident to the signing and ratification of conventions. This Government is prepared, therefore, to initiate a procedure Nationals of co- which will permit aliens who have registered under the Selective dInduction pa- Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, who are nationals of I [Not printed.] s [54 Stat. 885; 50 U.S.C. app. §§ 301-318, Supp. II §§302-305 ,308-310,312 ,315.]

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