File No. 711.654/4–5.
The Acting Secretary of State to Chargé Garrett.
Washington, August 1, 1908.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Griscom’s No. 389, of the 19th ultimo [June], stating that he has been advised by the Foreign Office that it will not be advisable to consider the negotiation of a naturalization treaty with the United States until certain proposed changes have been made in the Italian citizenship law.
In reply I have to say that this Government regrets the decision of the Italian Government not at this time to enter upon negotiations looking to a conventional agreement on the subject of the rights of the respective naturalized citizens of the two countries who return to the country of their original allegiance.
The proposed legislation foreshadowed by the Italian Government is noted, and it is hoped will result in an amelioration of the provisions of Italian law which now [provide?] that one who has lost Italian nationality by naturalization in a foreign country is still liable for the performance of military service in Italy.
I am [etc.]