No. 516.
Mr. Cramer
to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Legation of
the United States,
Berne, July 5, 1883.
(Received July 23.)
No. 68.]
Sir: The United States consul at Zurich informs me
by note of yesterday’s date that the authorities of the town of Walkringen,
canton of Berne, Switzerland, had assisted five deaf and dumb persons,
inmates of an asylum in that town, to emigrate to the United States, and
that a sixth deaf-mute from the same institution had, on the 4th instant,
called at his consulate and declared that the authorities of said town were
about to assist him also to emigrate to the United States. A copy of this
note is herewith inclosed.
The action of said town authorities in this matter being against the laws of
the United States, as well as against those of Switzerland governing
emigration, this legation regarded it as its duty to address a note to the
president of the Swiss Confederation, under date of the 5th instant, drawing
his attention thereto and protesting against it. A copy of this note is
herewith inclosed.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 68.]
Mr. Byers to Mr.
Cramer.
United
States Consulate,
Zurich, July 4,
1883.
Sir: Allow me to call your attention to the
case of five deaf and dumb emigrants who went to the United States some
time since from an asylum in the gemeinde of
Walkringen, in canton Berne. A sixth deaf and dumb person from the same
institution called here to-day, saying he had 60 francs in money, and
his gemeinde or township was about to aid him off
to America. I advised him not to go. He said his five comrades are doing
well in America, and that Consul Mason, in Basel, gave them certificates
at the time that there was no hindrance to their emigrating to the
United States. I scarcely think this statement probable. It seems
astounding that any community should permit an asylum within its borders
to empty its inmates into a foreign country. Not one of them, it is
said, could speak or hear a word. My only information is from the mute
who calls here. Trusting the matter will be investigated.
I am, &c.,
[Page 809]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 68.]
Mr. Cramer to Mr.
Ruchonnet.
Legation of the United States,
Berne, July 5,
1883.
Sir: The undersigned, minister resident of the
United States of America near the Swiss Confederation, has the honor to
inform your excellency that he has been credibly informed that some time
since five deaf and dumb persons have emigrated to the United States
from an asylum in the town of Walkringen, canton of Berne, assisted by
the authorities of that asylum or town, and that a sixth deaf and dumb
person from the same institution called at the United States consulate
at Zurich on the 4th of this month, declaring that he had 60 francs in
money, and that the authorities of said town were about to aid him in
emigrating to the United States.
The undersigned cannot but express his surprise that in view of existing
laws and regulations, both in Switzerland and the United States, on the
subject of improper emigration, any community in the former country
should aid or permit an asylum within its borders to send some of its
afflicted inmates to the latter country. He therefore takes the liberty
to protest in the name of his Government against such an unfriendly act
on the part of said town authorities against the United States, and to
express the hope that an investigation will be made into this matter,
and if any parties are found guilty, to proceed against them according
to law.
The undersigned avails, &c.,
