[Untitled]
Washington , March 18, 1901.
notice to citizens formerly subjects of italy 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.
Italian subjects between the ages of 20 and 39 years are liable for the performance of military duty under Italian law, except in the case of an only son, or where two brothers are so nearly of the same age that both would be serving at the same time, in which event only one is drafted, or when there are two sons of a widow, when only one is taken.
Naturalization of an Italian subject in a foreign country without consent of the Italian Government is no bar to liability to military service.
A former Italian subject may visit Italy without fear of molestation when he is under the age of 20 years; but between the ages of 20 and 39 he is liable to arrest and forced military service, if he has not previously reported for such service. After the age of 39 he may be arrested and imprisoned (but will not be compelled to do military duty) unless he has been pardoned. He may petition the Italian Government for pardon, but this Department will not act as the intermediary in presenting his petition.
There is no treaty between the United States and Italy defining the status of former Italian subjects who have become American citizens.
The Italian law does not require the production of passports by foreign travelers, but they are frequently called upon to establish their identity, and are accordingly recommended to provide themselves with passports. They are often useful in preventing an interference with departure from Italy. They do not require to be viséed or indorsed.