130 Hagiperos, Vasilios
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Greece (MacVeagh)
Sir: The Department has received from the Consul General at Athens a number of despatches concerning naturalized citizens of the United States who were born in Turkey of parents of the Greek race and who have been residing temporarily or sojourning in Greece, usually for the purpose of visiting relatives, and who have been compelled by the Greek authorities to register as Greek citizens, under the provision of Article 141 of Law 4324, before being allowed to leave Greece.
[Page 318]The practice on the part of the Greek officials in compelling persons of the class mentioned to register as Greek citizens, although such persons have gone to Greece for mere sojourn or temporary residence and without the intention of establishing themselves permanently in that country, seems entirely unreasonable. Unless you have already done so, you will please bring this matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities with a view to having this practice stopped.
Very truly yours,