No. 496.
Count Arco to Mr. Bayard.

[Translation.]

Hon. Secretary of State: The chargé d’affaires of the United States of America at Berlin has, in a note of the 16th ultimo, given official expression to the deep regret felt by the President of the United States and the American people at the great loss which the Imperial family and all Germany have suffered in the death of His Majesty the Emperor Frederick III.

In addition to the thanks already returned to the chargé d’affaires of the United States by the Imperial Government through the secretary of state for foreign affairs, Count von Bismarck-Schönhausen, I myself have been instructed to inform the President of the United States through you, Mr. Secretary of State, that the significance of that announcement has been highly appreciated by His Majesty the reigning Emperor and by the Imperial Government.

I hasten to avail, etc.

Arco.