Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 59 Part 2.djvu/919

 1602 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [59 STAT. May 10, 11, 1945 Agreement between the United States of America and Venezuela respect- [E. A. .4 76] ing military service. Effected by exchange of notes signed at Wash- ington May 10 and 11, 1945. The Acting Secretary of State to the Venezuelan Ambassador DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON May 10, 1945 54 Stat. 885. 50U.S.C.app.§§ 301318; Supp. IV, § 302 d seq. Ante, p. 166. Nationals of cobel- ligerent countries. Induction procedure. ExCELLNwCy: I have the honor to refer to conversations which have taken place between officers of the Venezuelan 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 Venezuelan 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 accom- plished 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 country. This Government is also affording to such nationals, who may already be serving in the armed forces of the United States, an

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