COLOMBIA. CONDOLENCES ON ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT MCKINLEY. President Marroquin to President Roosevelt. [Telegram.] BOGOTÁ, September 23, 1901. May it please your excellency to accept the expressions of condolence of the Colombian Government and people for the demise of the illustrious President McKinley. No. 194.] DENMARK. CITIZENSHIP OF LARS CHRIS. JENSEN. Mr. Swenson to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter from Lars Chris. Jensen, Cooleyville, Minn., and of mine in reply thereto, regarding the effect of his naturalization in the United States on his former allegiance to Denmark. I have, etc., [Inclosure 1.] LAURITS S. SWENSON. Mr. Jensen to Mr. Swenson. COOLEYVILLE, MINN., January 29, 1901. DEAR SIR: As I am a native of Denmark, emigrated to America at the age of 21 years, 1890, am now 32 years, and a full citizen of America, I would like to be released from all allegiance to Denmark or any sovereign thereof, but as I do not know the form it has to go through, would like very much to get your advice about it, and whom to apply to if you are not the right party, and about what the expenses will be. I intend to make a visit to Denmark in the near future and would not like to go through the Danish army for the pleasure of visiting my native country one or two months. If any reference is necessary in regard to this matter, please write William Rob. Anderson, register of deeds, Albert Lea, Minn. I was born in Wejen Lendum Sogn, Jyland, July 27, 1868. LARSEN CHRIS. JENSEN. [Inclosure 2.] Mr. Swenson to Mr. Jensen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Replying to yours of the 29th ultimo, I beg to say that your naturalization as a citizen of the United States has released you from your former allegiance to Denmark, and that no further steps are necessary for that purpose. Denmark recognizes the right of expatriation, and in case you return here without the intention to reside permanently you will be treated as a citizen of the United States. Having emigrated to America at the age of 21, and having acquired full citizenship there, you are not liable to military service on your temporary return to Denmark. I would advise you to bring with you your certificate of naturalization, and to procure a passport either from the Department of State at Washington or, on your arrival, from the legation of the United States here. Respectfully, yours, LAURITS S. SWENSON. MILITARY-SERVICE CASE OF SÖREN L. SÖRENSEN. No. 197.] Mr. Swenson to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of the correspondence in the military-service case of Sören Laurids Sörensen, a former Dane, naturalized in the United States, who, upon his return to Denmark, has been summoned for military duty. I respectfully submit my report without any further comment, as the facts in the case are fully set forth in the inclosures herewith. I have, etc., [Inclosure 1.-Translation.] LAURITS S. SWENSON. Mr. Sörensen to Mr. Blom, vice-consul. BRAMMINGE, September 24, 1900. SIR: I would request you to enlighten me on the following question: I emigrated to America at the age of 21 years 6 months. I resided in the United States seven years, and acquired American citizenship by naturalization. When I returned to Denmark three years ago I met at the conscription session, and on exhibiting my certificate of naturalization, I was informed that if I was in the country two years from that time I was to present myself again at that place. I returned to America, however, before the expiration of the two years, remaining there about one year. On my return here two weeks ago I was notified to appear at the conscription session, where I was enlisted for military service. No notice was taken of my citizenship papers. Can I be required to perform military duty? If so, why was I not pressed into the service three years ago. I attained my thirty-second year in August this year. I desire to be informed, at your earliest convenience, if the authorities have a right to require me to meet for duty immediately after my return here, when I am an American citizen. Had I been conscripted three years ago, and then left the country, the case would have been different. Note the fact that I am 32 years of age and have resided in America as stated above. Respectfully, yours, [Inclosure 2.] SÖREN L. SÖRENSEN. Mr. Swenson to Mr. Sörensen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Before giving any definite reply to your communication of the 24th instant to Mr. Jules Blom, I beg that you will be good enough to inform me if at the time of your emigration to the United States you had completed your military service, if you secured a permit to emigrate, and if you intend to return to the United States for the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship there. Kindly send me your certificate of naturalization, which will be returned to you after examination. Respectfully, yours, LAURITS S. SWENSON. [Inclosure 3.-Translation.] Mr. Sörensen to Mr. Swenson. BRAMMINGE, September 29, 1900. SIR: Thanking you for yours of the 28th instant, I beg to say that I had not completed my military service when I emigrated to America. I emigrated before I was 22 years of age; and before that time one is not required to meet at the session to be conscripted for service. I reported my emigration to the proper authority in Denmark. I intend to return to America if I can get my affairs here arranged satisfactorily. But you know better than I do that I can live two years abroad as an American citizen; that is what the consul in Chicago informed me before I left. I inclose my certificate of naturalization, which you will please return. [Inclosure 4.] SÖREN L. SÖRENSEN. No. 105.] Mr. Swenson to Mr. Schested, minister for foreign affairs. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Copenhagen, October 1, 1900. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to invite your excellency's attention to the following military-service case: Sören L. Sörensen, who emigrated from Denmark to the United States at the age of 21 (he is now 32), was duly naturalized as an American citizen in 1895. In 1897 he visited his native country, returning to the United States after a stay of less than two years. About the middle of last September, he again returned to Denmark, and he has recently been notified that his name has been entered on the conscription rolls for military duty. His present address is Bramminge, Jutland. No military service had been required of him before his emigration, and he secured the usual permit before leaving the country. He appears to be here on a matter of business, which he wishes to arrange so as to be enabled to return to the United States. He appeals to me for intervention in his behalf; and I would respectfully request that your excellency be good enough to bring his case to the attention of the proper authorities, to the end that his name may be stricken from the conscription rolls and that he may be exempted from military duty. I avail, etc., LAURITS S. SWENSON. [Inclosure 5.] Mr. Swenson to Mr. Sörensen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Replying to yours of the 29th ultimo, I beg to inform you that I have this day addressed a communication to the Danish minister of foreign affairs requesting that your name be stricken off the conscription rolls and that you be exempted from military duty. Your certificate of naturalization is returned herewith. LAURITS S. SWENSON. [Inclosure 6.] Mr. Sörensen to Mr. Swenson. BRAMMINGE, January 24, 1901. SIR: Replying to yours of November 29, 1900, I beg of you to kindly inform me if I am stricken off the conscription rolls and exempted from military duty. Please let me know soon as possible. Respectfully, yours, SÖREN L. SÖRENSEN. [Inclosure 7.] Mr. Swenson to Mr. Sörensen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Replying to yours of the 24th instant, inquiring if your name has been stricken off the conscription rolls, I beg to say that the ministry of justice has not yet notified the foreign office as to what action has been taken in your case. such notice I shall advise you. Respectfully, yours, As soon as I receive LAURITS S. SWENSON. [Inclosure 8.-Translation.] The minister of foreign affairs to Mr. Swenson. COPENHAGEN, March 12, 1901. MR. MINISTER: In a note, dated October 1, 1900, you have been good enough to invite my attention to the case of Sören Laurids Sörensen, who, though a naturalized citizen of the United States, has been entered upon the conscription rolls of Denmark, the country of his birth, where he is making a short sojourn for the purpose of arranging certain business matters. After having corresponded with my colleague, the minister of justice, I have the honor to inform you as follows regarding the case of the person in question: The above-named Sören Laurids Sörensen, who was born in Denmark in 1868, and who at the age of 17 was entered on the conscription rolls, emigrated in 1890, after having notified the proper authorities as required. His name was not, however, stricken from the rolls. In May, 1897, he returned to Denmark, and in July of that year he purchased a piece of property. at Nöraa, in the commune of Bramminge, which, in the month of March, 1898, he exchanged for property situated in the village of Bramminge, thus for a second time becoming a proprietor. He remained in Denmark until the month of September, 1899; that is to say, more than two years. In September, 1899, he entered upon his second journey to the United States; not, however, with the intention of remaining, but for the purpose of selling a piece of property which he owned there. Finally, on his return to Denmark in September, last year, he was summoned for military duty. The above-named Sörensen having been domiciled in Denmark more than two years, having become a proprietor, and having made his living both as agriculturist and as keeper of a temperance hotel, my colleague, the minister of justice, considers his summons to military service entirely legitimate, in accordance with Article III of the convention concluded between Denmark and the United States July 20, 1872. I avail, etc., SCHESTED. [Inclosure 9.] Mr. Swenson to Mr. Sörensen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Referring to my letter of January 25, last, I now inform you that the minister of justice has decided your case. After a careful investigation he has come to the conclusion that you are liable to military duty in Denmark. From a note addressed to me by the Danish minister of foreign affairs I learn the following facts regarding your case: You were born in Denmark in 1868. At the age of 17 you were entered on the conscription rolls. In 1890 you emigrated to America, after having notified the proper authorities, as required. Your name was not, however, stricken from the military rolls. In May, 1897, you returned to Denmark, and in July of that year you purchased a piece of property at Nöraa, in the commune of Bramminge, which, in the month of March, 1898, you exchanged for property situated in the village of Bramminge, thus for a second time becoming a proprietor. |
