711.684/12
The Minister in Greece (Skinner) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 16.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to correspondence exchanged between the Department and my predecessor with regard to the desirability of a naturalization treaty between the Hellenic and the American Governments.42 The desirability of such an understanding is, of course, open to no question, inasmuch as a week does not pass when an American citizen is not subjected to inconvenience, delay, anxiety, and loss of money, in consequence of the position of the Hellenic Government with regard to citizenship. At the present time, this Government looks upon Greeks who became naturalized in the United States prior to June 13 [January 14], 1914,43 as American citizens entitled to be dealt with as such, but all persons of Greek origin who acquired American naturalization subsequent to [Page 26] that date, and persons of Greek origin born in Turkish territory recently annexed to this country44 are looked upon as Greek citizens. Similarly, persons born in the United States of Greek parentage whose fathers were not regarded as American citizens at the time of their children’s birth, are held to be Greek citizens.
Quite recently a number of extremely vexatious cases have presented themselves. One man (George Paspolas) who was born March 8, 1911, at East St. Louis, Ill., is being refused an exit visa, although 16 years of age, and therefore not yet liable for military service, unless, and until, he gives a satisfactory bond that he will perform military service or sacrifice the bond at a later date. In another case (John Coryas) 17 years of age, a native of New York City, the individual was forcibly removed from the S. S. Byron, although not yet due for military service. This very day John Pialoglou and G. D. Georgiades, both of Turkish birth, one of whom had come to purchase $1,000,000 worth of Greek tobacco, found themselves prohibited from departing, although beyond military age, and neither of whom had ever owed allegiance to Greece, on the ground that under the Hellenic treaty with Turkey45 they were to be regarded as Greek citizens. These two cases I took up personally with the Ministry and insisted and obtained the necessary favorable action.
Due to the above situation, I made the principle involved the subject of my conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Friday, last. I stated that I did not care to discuss the precise legal status of the many individuals involved, who under Hellenic law are looked upon as Hellenic citizens and under American law as American citizens, since the facts were well enough known on both sides. I did intend, however, to point out the unnecessarily irritating attitude of the local Hellenic authorities in disposing of these cases, since the whole number of soldiers who might be impressed into the army as a result could not affect the military situation in the slightest degree, and their military training would be of no value inasmuch as they would immediately return to the United States upon being discharged from the army, and therefore would be unavailable in the event of future trouble. The situation was now such that Greek societies and individuals in the United States were concerning themselves with the position of the Hellenic Government, and unless a friendly arrangement could be come to, it inevitably followed that departures from the United States to Greece would be greatly diminished.
[Page 27]I pressed upon the Foreign Minister’s attention the circumstance that, in connection with the visit of members of the American Legion to Paris this Summer, upwards of ten thousand ex-soldiers of Greek origin are expected to come to Athens of whom probably not less than 5,000 are naturalized American citizens. If the Hellenic Government contemplates holding these men to account in the manner under discussion, the result could only be disastrous to good relations. I hoped, therefore, that he would cause instructions to be issued which would make it possible for these ex-soldiers to come and go in peace.
Relying upon my pleasant relations with Mr. Michalakopoulos, I thought it better, as I told him, to speak very plainly about these matters since the continuation of what appeared to be the policy of the Hellenic Government must certainly lead to two definite results: namely, a very strong dissatisfaction on the part of the American Government, which was constantly being appealed to on behalf of American citizens, and which found its wishes disregarded, and the alienation of a body of upwards of 400,000 persons of Greek origin residing in the United States. It seemed extraordinary to me that the Hellenic Government, which derives many substantial advantages from the population of Greek origin in the United States, preferred to penalize them for their interest in Greece, rather than to encourage them to keep alive the social and economic bonds which naturally united them to this country. It occurred to me that the normal roles were being reversed when the American Minister found himself obliged to intervene before the Hellenic Government for the protection of individuals of Greek origin, who returned to this country from time to time. Whether or not it would be helpful to Greece to destroy the interest and affection of 400,000 persons of Greek origin in the United States, Mr. Michalakopoulos could judge for himself.
I pointed out that the proposals in regard to the treaty had not been seriously considered in this country, and that the suggestion had been turned aside without adequate explanation. There was no doubt whatever in my mind that the trouble makers at Patras and elsewhere, minor officials, ticket agents, and the like, were proceeding with deliberation in individual cases, as they derived private profit from their actions, and it seemed to me much more friendly and sincere to put the situation before the Minister without any reticences, rather than to permit matters to drift on to their certain culmination.
Mr. Michalakopoulos appeared to be deeply impressed by my observations, and especially when I explained to him that his own people in the United States were provoked and annoyed, and that the effect would be to curtail the passenger traffic to this country, and to still further diminish remittances from immigrants in the United States to banks in Greece. He has promised to give the subject careful consideration, and I am not without hope that he will propose, [Page 28] a few months hence, to take up the discussion of the projected treaty, or suggest some other mutually satisfactory arrangement.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩
- Greek law 120, effective Jan. 14, 1914 (file No. 711.684/11).↩
- By treaty of peace, signed at Lausanne, July 24, 1923; League of Nations Treaty Series, vol. xxviii, p. 11.↩
- See section 2 on Nationality, ibid., pp. 29 ff.; also, the convention concerning the exchange of Greek and Turkish populations and protocol, signed Jan. 30, 1923, at Lausanne, ibid., vol. xxxii, p. 75.↩