711.60p4/8

The Chargé in Latvia (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

No. 378

Sir: With reference to the Legation’s despatch No. 349, dated June 13, 1934, concerning the present status of negotiations for a treaty of naturalization and military service, I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a note from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated June 28, 1934.

In this note the Ministry states that the Government of Latvia regrets that it is unable to accept the proposal contained in the Legation’s note of January 7, 1929.

[Page 619]

The Legation’s note of January 7, 1929, contains the observations appearing in the Department’s instruction No. 584, dated December 1, 1928, and with it the draft treaty which accompanied this instruction was enclosed as reported in the Legation’s despatch No. 6220 of June 18, 1929.

In the enclosed note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it is stated that the point of view of the Government of Latvia was expressed in paragraphs II–V, section three, of its note of September 21, 1933. A copy of this note was forwarded with the Legation’s despatch No. 1628, dated September 28, 1933.13

Respectfully yours,

W. J. Gallman
[Enclosure]

The Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the American Legation

No. J.3.19/34 17210

In reply to the note of the Legation of the United States of America No. 57, dated May 31, 193413 and to the foregoing correspondence bearing on the matter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honour to inform the Legation as follows.

The Latvian Government regrets not being able to accept the proposal contained in the note of the American Legation, dated January 7th, 1929, and to conclude the treaty of naturalization between Latvia and the United States of America in conformity with the presented draft. The reason of this attitude of the Latvian Government is the following.

The acceptance of the proposed text of the treaty by the Latvian Republic would necessarily involve a modification of the principal clauses of the Latvian Law on Nationality and also of the Military Service Law. Considering, however, the geographical situation of Latvia and the peculiarities of its legislation which entails compulsory military service, such modifications of the above laws cannot be consented to by the Latvian Government.

The point of view of the Latvian Government in the respective question has already been exposed in the paragraphs II–V of the 3rd section of the note verbale of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the American Legation No. J.l.25/33/21233, dated September 21, 1933.

The Ministry begs to draw the Legation’s attention to the principles laid down in the last mentioned note that hold good, as regards the point of view of the Latvian Government, also at present.

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