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 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [58 STAT. Jnuary27 19i4 Agreement between the United States of America and Colombia respecting (. A. S. 407] military service. Effected by exchange of notes signed at Washington January 27, 1944; effective January 27, 1944. And related note of February 12, 1944. The Secretary of State to the ColombianAmbassador DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON January27,1944 54 8tat. 886 . 50U.S.C.app. 1 201-318; Supp. III 3o2-316. Are, pp. 720 79 Natioaof oobellig- erent ountries. Induction pro- cedure. ExcEMx.woy: I have the honor to refer to conversations which have taken place between officers of the Colombian Embassy and of the Department of State with respect to the application of the United States Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, to Colombian nationals 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 between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five residing in the United States 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 is desirable to permit certain nationals of cobelligerent countries 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 their own 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 has, therefore, initiated a procedure permitting aliens who have registered under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, who are nationals of certain cobelligerent countries and who have not declared their intention of becoming American citizens to elect to serve in the forces of their respective countries, in lieu of service in the armed forces of the United States, at any time prior to their induction into the armed forces of this coun- try. This Government is also affording to such nationals, who may already be serving in the armed forces of the United States, an op- portunity of electing to transfer to the armed forces of their own

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