36 
his French nationality, unless he obtains au¬ 
thorization from the French Government sim¬ 
ilar to the authorization which is granted to 
persons born in the United States of French 
parents. (See second paragraph, section above, 
headed “ Native-born American citizens of 
French parentage.”) American citizens in this 
category are frequently molested upon their 
return to France and are sometimes forced to 
complete the usual military service required of 
French citizens. Even the fact of having ful¬ 
filled American military requirements or having 
served in the American Army does not appear 
to relieve such persons from further military 
obligations in France. 
D. Recognition by the French Govern¬ 
ment of the Naturalization Abroad of a 
Frenchman 
Article IX (1) of the French nationality law 
of August 10, 1927, reads: 
“ French nationality is lost by : A Frenchman 
who is naturalized abroad or who, on his own 
request, acquires a foreign nationality by opera¬ 
tion of the law after he is twenty-one years old. 
“However, until ten years have gone by, 
counted from either enlistment in the active 
army or the entry on the military liability list 
in case he is excused from active service, he 
who has become a foreign subject does not lose 
his French citizenship except under special 
authorization by the French Government.” 
m 
It is understood that under the provisions of 
the law just quoted a Frenchman loses his 
French nationality 10 years after his first 
incorporation into the French Army or the 
placing of his name on the military liability list. 
37 
43. GREECE. The Greek Government does 
not recognize a change of nationality on the 
part of a former Greek which was made on or 
after January 15, 1914, without the Greek Gov¬ 
ernment’s consent. Consequently a former 
Greek naturalized on or after January 15, 1914, 
is liable to arrest and forced service in the 
Greek Army or Navy upon his return to Greece. 
The Greek Government recognizes a change 
of nationality on the part of a former Greek 
which was made before January 15, 1914, pro¬ 
vided that such individual, with a view to hav¬ 
ing his name removed from the register of 
Greek citizens, has informed the Greek Gov¬ 
ernment of the fact of his foreign naturalization 
and received from that Government recognition 
of the change of nationality. It is understood 
that such an individual will not be molested 
while visiting Greece. It is suggested, how¬ 
ever, that he carry with him his American 
naturalization certificate as an additional pre¬ 
caution. Inquiry should be made of a Greek 
consular officer in the United States as to the 
procedure which should be followed to obtain 
Greek recognition of the change of nationality. 
Law No. 5405 published in the Official Gazette 
of the Greek Government for April 20, 1932, 
amends the basic law concerning the registration 
of aliens in Greece, and provides in article 3 
that upon the arrival in Greece of Greek-born 
persons holding foreign passports they shall be 
exempt from all inquiry in respect of their mili¬ 
tary obligations if they do not intend to stay in 
Greece for more than six months. 
The law is understood to mean that American 
citizens of Greek birth may spend up to six 
