868.012/17
The Minister in Greece ( Skinner ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 12.]
Sir: Adverting to my despatch No. 497 of March 7, 1928, concerning the citizenship of former Ottoman subjects of the Orthodox religion who had gone to America and been naturalized there, and to the status of such persons when they come to Greece, I have the honor to report that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rendered an opinion on the basis of which administrative authorities throughout the country are acting. This opinion is to the following effect:
- (1)
- Greeks, “exchangeables,” who left Turkey after October 18, 1912, shall be considered, regardless of their place of residence, Greek citizens, ipso jure, from the 30th day of January, 1923, when the Exchange of Populations agreement was signed.
- (2)
- Those who left Turkey after January 30, 1923, shall be considered to have acquired Greek nationality from the date of their arrival in another country.
- (3)
- Those of the above category (“exchangeables”) who had become naturalized foreign citizens (American, British, French, etc., etc.) before the signing of the Exchange of Populations Convention, i. e. before January 30, 1923, shall be recognized, upon their arrival in Greece, as having legally acquired foreign citizenship, regardless of whether they had previously obtained the permission of the Turkish Government, as required by Turkish law.
- (4)
- All those who acquired foreign citizenship after January 30, 1923, without first obtaining the permission of the Greek Government, shall be considered Greek citizens.
As many naturalized Americans of the above categories, visiting Greece to see their refugee relatives, find themselves involved in difficulties with the authorities, I venture to suggest that their American passports be accompanied with notices apprising them of the foregoing.
I have [etc.]