Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 57 Part 2.djvu/318

 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [57 STAT. March 30, Decem- ber 14, 1942, Janu- ary 26, February 25, 1943 [E. A. S. 320] 54 Stat. 885. 50U.S.C.app. §§ 301-318; Supp. II , §§ 302-315. Ante, pp. 164, 391, 596. Nationals of cobel- ligerent countries. Induction proce- dure. Agreement between the United States of America and Poland respecting military service. Effected by exchanges of notes signed at Washington March 30 and December 14, 1942, January26 and February25, 1943; effective January27, 1943. The Acting Secretary of State to the Polish Ambassador DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON March 30, 194k EXCELLENCY: With reference to Your Excellency's note of March 17, 1942, [1] and to previous correspondence with respect to the enlistment of residents of the United States in the armed forces of Poland, [1] I have the honor to inform you that special consideration has been given to the views of your government in the discussions which have taken place between officers of this Department, the War and Navy Departments, and the Selective Service System on the general prob- lem of the application of the United States Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, to nationals of co-belligerent coun- tries residing in the United States.. 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 18 and 65 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 per- mit 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 accomplished through administrative action, thus obviating the delays incident to the signing and ratification of conventions. This Government is prepared, therefore, to initiate a procedure which will permit aliens who have registered under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, who are nationals of ' [Not printed.] 954

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