Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1915 - 1924 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Correspondence and protocol registers relating to conscription operations. Conscription operations are closely linked to the recognition of nationality.
In matters of conscription and other public services, consuls exercise all powers assigned under the laws and regulations of the Kingdom (art. 60 of the Consular Law of 1866).
When issuing or authenticating passports for nationals who have entered their 19th year, or who by age belong to a class already called up, as well as for deserters or draft evaders, Article 99 of the 1866 Consular Regulations requires consuls to comply with the rules contained in the law and regulations on army recruitment.
Following agreements between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of War (see circular of 7 November 1888), it was established that from 1 January 1889 all matters concerning the conscription of Italians abroad would be handled by direct correspondence between that Ministry and royal diplomatic and consular agents.
The matters covered included:
- call-up orders;
- examinations of those enrolled;
- draft evaders;
- summons of those enrolled;
- summons of classes for training;
- lists of young men subject to conscription;
- soldiers on unlimited leave;
- volunteering;
- and queries/doubts on special cases.
The stated aim was to expedite conscription and military-service matters and avoid delays caused by routing correspondence through the central Foreign Affairs administration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to handle special cases which, although relating to military service, could raise issues of nationality and treaty interpretation.
With the Emigration Law of 31 January 1901 no. 23, art. 33, conscription service abroad “changed in character: it no longer consisted of the granting of permissions to reside abroad to individual persons upon request, but of multiple responsibilities permanently entrusted by law to diplomatic and consular authorities” (as summarised by Circular of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs no. 631 of 2 July 1901).
The 1907 Instructions for Conscription Service Abroad (Ministry of War, Italy, General Directorate for Conscription and Troops, Rome, Enrico Voghera, 1907), ch. I, art. 3, recalls that conscription service for residents abroad is entrusted to royal consuls and vice-consuls and, in their absence, to embassies and legations.