For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Keyqual DEPOSITED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MAR 24:45 The Acting Secretary of State to the Chinese Ambassador DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON November 6, 1943 EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to refer to conversations which have taken place between officers of the Chinese Embassy and of the Department of State with respect to the application of the United States Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, [1] to Chinese nationals residing in the United States. As you are aware, the Act provides that with certain exceptions every male citizen of the United States and every other male person between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five, residing in the United States, shall register. The Act further provides that, with certain exceptions, registrants within specified age limits are liable for active military service in the United States armed forces. This Government recognizes that from the standpoint of morale of the individuals concerned and the over-all military effort of the countries at war with the Axis Powers, it would be desirable to permit certain nationals of cobelligerent countries who have registered or who may register under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, to serve in the armed forces of their own country, should they desire to do so. It will be recalled that during the World War this Government signed conventions with certain associated powers on this subject. The United States Government believes, however, that under existing circumstances the same ends may now be accomplished through administrative action, thus obviating the delays. incident to the signing and ratification of conventions. This Government is prepared, therefore, to initiate a procedure which will permit Chinese nationals who have registered under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, to elect to serve in the forces of their own country, in lieu of service in the armed forces of the United States, at any time prior to their induction into the armed forces of this country. This Government is also prepared to afford to Chinese nationals who may already be serving in the armed forces of the United States an opportunity of electing to transfer to the armed forces of their own country. Detailed arrangements 1 1 [54 Stat. 885; 50 U.S.C. app. and Supp. III, §§ 301-318.] |