Mr. Francis to Mr. Hay.
Sir: I have the honor to report that a careful perusal of the records of the legation at Athens, supplemented by outside inquiries, convinced me it was my duty to secure, if possible, the discharge from the Greek army of Leonidas Economopoulos, a native of Greece, who in 1899 became a naturalized American citizen.
This particular case had been the subject of extensive correspondence between my immediate predecessor and the Greek Government for a period extending over one year and a half; but, owing to the fact that no treaty covering such cases existed between the United States and Greece, the earnest, intelligent and persistent efforts of Mr. Hardy had been unavailing in the premises.
[Page 248]I beg to submit the following correspondence:
Legation of the United
States,
Athens, March 27,
1901.
His Excellency Mr. Nicolas
Tzamados,
Minister of
War.
Mr. Minister: I beg to call your attention to the fact that an American citizen is at present serving in the Greek army, and to request your excellency to give the particulars of the case, which I respectfully submit, your careful consideration.
Leonidas Economopoulos emigrated from Greece to the United States in January, 1893, at the age of 15 years, and, in accordance with the laws of that country, was duly naturalized in 1899. In September of the same year, receiving a telegram imforming him of the illness of his father, he hurried to his former home near Sparta without having previously procured royal assent to his expatriation from His Majesty the King of Greece. To his mind the urgency of the summons admitted of no delay. He contemplated an early return to Brooklyn, where he resided.
Shortly after his arrival in Greece, Economopoulos was arrested, and notwithstanding his declaration of American citizenship and against his protest, was compelled to enter the Greek army. In Athens he was assigned to the Fourth Battery, Second Regiment Field Artillery, and he is still in the Greek service.
While there is no naturalization treaty between Greece and the United States, it is believed your sense of justice in this particular case, as well as an act of comity toward the Government I represent, will induce your excellency to promptly order the discharge of Mr. Economopoulos in order that he may return to the country of his adoption where he is in every respect possessed of full citizenship.
In embracing this opportunity to exchange with you felicitations on the very friendly relations so happily existing between our respective Governments, I take occasion, etc.,
Charles S. Francis.
[Translation.]
Athens, March 29, 1901.
[No. 21759.]
Kingdom of Greece.
The Ministry of War to his excellency the United States Minister.
Sir: In reply to your private and friendly letter of the 27th of March, relative to the dismissal from the Greek army of Leonidas Economopoulos, I have the honor to inform you that although I have the greatest wish to comply with your excellency’s wish and to consider this act one of the smallest proofs of my friendly sentiments toward the Government which you represent, unfortunately the laws of this country do not permit me to order that the name of the above-mentioned Economopoulos be removed from the register of the conscripts and to order his dismissal from the Greek army, because he did not observe the formalities required by the Greek laws to obtain foreign nationality, as explained in the correspondence that has been previously exchanged on this subject. If an exception is made in the case of Economopoulos it must be extended as well to all Greeks who are residing in foreign countries.
However, as I am inspired with extremely friendly sentiments toward the Government of the United States, and also toward your excellency, I shall order the discharge of Economopoulos from the ranks of the Greek army if I can find any reason whatsoever (of health or family) permitting me to dismiss him.
I take this occasion, etc.,
N. Tzamados, The Minister.
Ministry of War,
Athens, June 2 (15), 1901.
Mr. Minister: I hasten to inform you that the soldier Economopoulos has just been discharged from the army. I have done my utmost since assuming the office of minister of war to expedite a solution of the case in which your excellency has kindly interested yourself, and I am pleased to know that the desired result has not been long delayed.
I beg you to accept, etc.,
B. Boudouris,
Minister of War ad interim.
I have the honor to report that Economopoulos was actually discharged from the military service of Greece June 25, 1901.
I am, etc.,