File No. 351.117/5.

Ambassador Herrick to the Secretary of State.

No. 494.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Department’s telegram of December 27, 3 p.m., instructing me to communicate with the French Government with a view to obtaining a release from service in the French Army of Joseph Nouguier, born at Moulins, France, June 24, 1884, and naturalized as an American citizen on the 14th day of February, 1912.

I understand from the Department’s telegram that the said Joseph Nouguier emigrated from France at the age of about 19 years; that is to say, a very short time before he would have been required to perform his military service. I therefore beg to call your attention to this Embassy’s despatch1 No. 304, of March 18, 1913, relating to a very similar case, of one John or Jean Espil. It is clear, I think, from this case what the attitude of the French Government is regarding the enforcement of the military service rules.

I have moreover been just informed by the Counselors of this Embassy, Messrs. Goudert Brothers, concerning the case of Joseph Nouguier, that this latter would have no legal right in France to be released from military service.

I venture to suggest that in view to former cases referred to it would not be advisable to present this case to the Foreign Office. I therefore take the liberty of awaiting further instructions before complying with the Department’s request.

I have [etc.]

Myron T. Herrick
.
  1. Not printed.