Office of the Historian

File No. 351.117/68

Ambassador Sharp to the Secretary of State

No. 1853
American Embassy,
Paris, January 11, 1916.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith in translation a note received from the Foreign Office with reference to the case of Mr. Adrien J. Kirghis. From this note it appears that the acquisition of a foreign nationality by Mr. Kirghis had never been noted on the French military rolls and that, having been born in France of parents also born in France, he was considered a Frenchman and is about to be called to the colors. Furthermore I was informed by Mr. Kirghis that before sailing from New York for Bordeaux he was advised by the authorities that on landing in France he was liable to be drafted into the French army. In spite of this warning he however persisted in his original intention.

I have [etc]

Wm. G. Sharp
[Inclosure—Translation]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Sharp

Foreign Office,
Paris, January 8, 1916.

Mr. Ambassador: With reference to a note from the Embassy dated the 17th of this [sic] month, I have the honor to inform you that the French recruiting authorities have never been aware that Adrien J. Kirghis had acquired a foreign nationality.

Under these circumstances, the aforementioned, being born in France of parents who themselves were born in France, is considered to be a Frenchman and is at present about to be called to the colors.

With assurances [etc.]

Jules Cambon