Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 5, 1870

No. 155.

Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish.

No. 124.]

American Legation, Berlin, August 15, 1870. (Received August 31.)

Yesterday forenoon I received your telegram, as follows:

Bancroft, Minister, Berlin:

French government decides North Germans, with certain exceptions, quit France. Impossible for great numbers of poor to leave without pecuniary aid. Washburne asks will Prussian government place a credit at his disposition to assist poor in leaving? It seems necessary in the interest of humanity. Inform him and this Department.

DAVIS, Acting Secretary.

Washington, August 30.

I immediately waited upon Mr. Director Phillipsborn, and afterward met him and Mr. Secretary Von Thiele by appointment at 12 o’clock. It was promptly decided to afford the poor North Germans expelled from France the pecuniary aid they might need, and I forthwith telegraphed to Mr. Washburne, through Mr. Jones, as follows:

Jones, American Minister, Brussels:

Telegraph to Washburne immediately, in cipher if convenient, Prussia will place to your credit with Rothschild fifty thousand thalers to help very poor Germans expelled from France. Give only enough to reach the frontier. Take care whom you help. Persuade the French government not to expel Germans.

An hour later I received a letter in due form from Mr. Thiele, of which I annex a copy. I also wrote to Mr. Washburne, and of that letter I annex a copy. I trust that I have fulfilled your instructions to your satisfaction. * * * * * * * * * *

GEO. BANCROFT.

Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Washburne.

Berlin, August 14, 1870.

Sir: Can you not persuade the French government to recede from the expulsion of the Germans? It is against the law of nations, of civilization; all but unheard of.

To-day this government opens for you a credit with the Rothschilds to the amount of fifty thousand thalers for the assistance of Germans in poverty and expelled from France. They wish you to use the sum frugally, and only in cases of necessity, and only to give the means of reaching the frontier. But I hope and believe you will induce the French to recall the order.

Your letter of the 10th is received, and the subject has been referred to headquarters. I shall answer you by letter as soon as shall be possible.

Colonel Grammont lies in Reichshofen amputated.

Of Colonel Vassart I have as yet no tidings, though telegraphs have gone about him.

GEO. BANCROFT.

Copy annexed of Thile to G. B.

August 14, 1870.