Mr. Gresham to Baron Saurma.
Washington, November 5, 1894.
Excellency: A brief illness has prevented my earlier acknowledgment of your note of the 31st ultimo, in which, under instructions from Berlin, you confirm the personal opinion, previously expressed on several occasions, that the recent prohibition against the importation of American cattle and fresh meats into the Empire was not intended as a retaliation, but was solely prompted by veterinary considerations.
In reply, it is due to state that instructions have been given by the competent authorities of this Government for even more rigid measures of inspection and control of cattle and dressed meats for export than those of which I have had the honor to advise you; and it is hoped that the German Government will speedily revoke its prohibitory orders. Accept, etc.,