Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 8, 1914

File No. 351.117/21.

The Acting Secretary of State to Mr. Milton K. Young.

Department of State,
Washington , September 22, 1914 .

Sir: The Department has received your letter¹ of September 17, in which you request [etc.]

The Department has this day sent a copy of your letter, together with the copy of the court record of Mr. Pellissier’s naturalization as an American citizen, to the American Ambassador at Paris, with instructions to present this case to the French Government, and ask that Mr. Pellissier be released, and that he be permitted to leave France with the other members of his family, and return to this country. The Ambassador was directed to call attention to the facts mentioned in your letter which make it appear especially important to Mr. Pellissier that he be released.

I regret to say, however, that, in view of the French law, under which the naturalization of Frenchmen as citizens of other countries is not recognized unless they have obtained special permission to change their allegiance, or have fulfilled their military liability to France, the Department is unable to assure you that Mr. Pellissier will be released and permitted to return to this country. Enclosed herewith, for your information, is a copy of the Department’s printed circular entitled “Notice to American Citizens Formerly Citizens of France Who Contemplate Returning to that Country.”²

I am [etc.]

Robert Lansing

.

1. See inclosure with the next paper.
2. See page 300, footnote.