Office of the Historian

File No. 367.65/31.

Ambassador Page to the Secretary of State.

[Extract.]
American Embassy,
Rome, October 11, 1915.

Sir: I have the honor of transmitting to you herewith a translation of a Foreign Office note containing the decision of the military [Page 580] authorities of the Kingdom relative to the prohibition of emigration from Italy of Italian subjects having military obligations towards the Government.

I have [etc.]

Thos. Nelson Page.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

The Foreign Office to the American Embassy.

In response to the American Embassy’s esteemed note verbale No. 750 of September 13, the Royal Ministry for Foreign Affairs has the honor to communicate to that Embassy the following information furnished by the Royal Ministry of War relative to the prohibition of emigration of Italian subjects:

By Royal decree No. 803 of August 6, 1914, the emigration abroad of all Italian subjects having military obligations, that is, from 18 to 39 years of age, was prohibited.

In pursuance of the terms of this absolute prohibition, however, there were allowed a few exceptions in cases of proven necessity, especially for those Italians whose military obligations were comparatively slight, such as those belonging to the third category and to the territorial militia.

However, in consequence of the Royal decree of mobilization, the said prohibition was again placed in full force and effect, absolutely without exception, by which no one having military obligations was allowed to leave the country for private reasons, even though he may belong to classes and categories not yet summoned to join the army.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
Rome, October 8, 1915.