File No. 811.2222/4464
The Ambassador in Italy ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Telegram]
Rome
,
February 23, 1918
.
[Received February 24, 1.05 p.m.]
[Received February 24, 1.05 p.m.]
1430. Your 1078, 16th.1 Foreign Office communicates this morning that after considering above-mentioned telegram they are willing to endeavor to reach agreement under following conditions:
- (1)
- That Italians also be permitted to retain qualification of citizens, in place of subjects, so as prevent confusion with Italian colonial subjects not held under obligation of service in realm as citizens are;
- (2)
- That age limits for military service be possibly extended, as far as Italians are concerned, from 18 to 44 years to accord with Italian draft and mobilization laws.
It is to this obligation, determined by article 1 of the agreement, that clause of article 2, “if liable to military service in the country in which they are,” naturally referred.
Nelson Page