File No. 13230.
Memorandum to the Italian Embassy.
Washington, April 30, 1908.
The Department of State has received the memorandum of the Italian Embassy, dated the 25th instant, in which it is suggested, in view of complaints made by foreigners in Italy that their passports [Page 483] when written in any other language than French are not recognized by the employees of the Italian post offices, that their passports might be accompanied by a translation of the contents into the Italian or French languages, authenticated by the signature and seal of the proper consular officer.
The Department of State sees no objection that would prevent it from instructing its consular officers in Italy to certify to the translations of passports held by American citizens.
The Department of State will also advise, by public announcement in the press, American travelers to Italy to provide themselves with livrets d’identité.