[Untitled]
Washington, August 30, 1901.
notice to american citizens formerly subjects of the netherlands who contemplate returning to that country.
The information given below is believed to be correct, yet is not to be considered as official, as it relates to the laws and regulations of a foreign country.
A subject of the Netherlands is liable to military service from his nineteenth to his fortieth year. He must register to take part in the drawing of lots for military service between January 1 and August 31 of the calendar year in which he reaches the age of 19. He is exempt, however, from service if he is an only son or is physically disabled; [Page 419] and in the case of a family half of the brothers are exempt, or the majority if the number is uneven.
No military service is required of one who became a citizen of the United States before the calendar year in which he became 19 years of age, and a Netherlands subject who becomes a citizen of the United States when he is 19 and between January 1 and August 31 may have his name removed from the register by applying to the Queen’s commissioner of the province in which he was registered. If he does not have his name removed from the register, or if he becomes a citizen of the United States after the register is closed (August 31) and his name is drawn for enlistment, his naturalization does not affect his military obligations to the Netherlands, and if he returns he is liable (1) to be treated as a deserter if he did not respond to the summons for service, or (2) to be enlisted if he is under 40.
Former Netherlands subjects are advised to ascertain by inquiry from the Netherlands authorities what status they may expect to enjoy if they return to the Netherlands. This Department, however, uniformly declines to act as the intermediary in the inquiry.
Passports are not required for admission to the Netherlands, but American citizens are advised to carry them for purposes of identification and in attestation of citizenship.