Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 59 Part 2.djvu/923

 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [59 STAT. May 23 and June 12, 1945 IE. A. S. 477] 54 Stat. 885. 50U.S.C.app. §§ 301-318; Supp. IV, 5 302 et seq. Ante, p. 166. Nationals of cobel- ligerent countries. Induction procedure Agreement between the United States of America and Peru respecting military service. Effected by exchange of notes signed at Washington May 23 and June 12, 1945. The Acting Secretary of State to the PeruvianCharge d'Affaires ad interim DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON May 23, 1945 SIR: I refer to conversations which have taken place between officers of the Peruvian 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 Peruvian 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 opportunity of electing to transfer to the armed forces of their own country. The details of the procedure are arranged directly between the War Department and the Selective Service System on the part of the United States Government and the appropriate authorities of the 1606

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