File No. 365.117/56.
The Secretary of State to Ambassador Page .
Washington , March 24, 1915 .
Sir: Your despatches Nos. 177 and 221 of November 3 and December 14, 1914, concerning the status in their native land of naturalized [Page 556] American citizens of Italian origin, have been received and read with interest.
In your despatch of November 3, you expressed your belief that, in view of the desire of the Italian authorities to encourage American tourists to visit Italy, it might be found possible to conclude a naturalization treaty between the United States and Italy. However, in your despatch of December 14, you said that the status had apparently changed, and that you had received a different impression from your last conversation with the Foreign Minister. The Department hopes that you will keep this very important matter in mind, and report when you come to the conclusion that the time is opportune for the reopening of negotiations with the Italian Government looking to the conclusion of a naturalization treaty. It is hardly necessary to say that the conclusion of such a treaty would be the only satisfactory way of settling the status in Italy of naturalized American citizens of Italian origin. It is hoped that the Italian Government, when it is fully convinced of the expediency of having a full and free intercourse between Italy and the United States, and when it is persuaded that this Government has no desire to protect Italians who have not obtained naturalization as citizens of the United States in good faith, or those who have expatriated themselves by protracted residence in their native land, under the provision of Section 2 of the Act of March 2, 1907, will come to the conclusion that a naturalization treaty would be of mutual advantage to the two countries.
I am [etc.]