Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1901

[Untitled]

Department of State,
Washington, April 10, 1901.

notice to american citizens formerly subjects of denmark who contemplate returning to that country.

The information given below is believed to be correct, yet it is not to be considered as official, as it relates to the laws and regulations of a foreign country.

Military service becomes compulsory to a subject of Denmark during the calendar year in which he reaches the age of 22 years.

In November or December of the year in which he becomes 17 years old he is expected to report for enrollment on the conscription lists. If he neglects to do so he maybe fined from 2 to 40 kroner; but if his neglect arises from a design to evade service he may be imprisoned.

In case he fails to appear when the law requires that he be assigned to military duty he is liable to imprisonment.

When one whose name has been or should have been entered on the conscription lists emigrates without reporting his intended departure to the local authorities he is liable to a fine of from 25 to 100 kroner.

A person above the age of 22 years entered for military service must obtain a permit from the minister of justice to emigrate. Noncompliance with this regulation is punishable by a fine of from 20 to 200 kroner.

The treaty of naturalization between the United States and Denmark provides that a former subject of Denmark naturalized in the United States shall, upon his return to Denmark, be treated as a citizen of the United States; but he is not thereby exempted from penalties for offenses committed against Danish law before his emigration. If he renews his residence in Denmark with intent to remain, he is held to have renounced his American citizenship.

A naturalized American, formerly a Danish subject, is not liable to perform military service on his return to Denmark, unless at the time of emigration he was in the army and deserted, or, being 22 years old at least, had been enrolled for duty and notified to report and failed to do so. He is not liable for service which he was not actually called upon to perform.

Passports are not required to secure admission to Denmark, but they are useful or necessary as means of identification, or in proof of citizenship. They should be exhibited whenever evidence of citizenship is required.