Mr. Runyon to Mr.
Gresham.
Embassy
of the United States,
Berlin, March 28, 1895.
(Received April 13.)
No. 232.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
to-day issued a passport to one Charlie Ehrlich upon the application, a
copy of which is herewith inclosed.
It appears that Ehrlich was born in the United States in 1879 (he is now
about 16 years old), and after the death there of his father he was
brought to Germany in 1886. Here he has since resided (his mother is
also dead), presumably without molestation, as until a short time ago
[Page 535]
nothing was known of him
by the embassy. On the 5th instant he made application at the consulate
at Breslau for a passport, having been notified that he must either
produce some paper in which his nationality was officially recognized or
else leave Prussia before April 1 next. He is unable to furnish any
information concerning his father; he only knows that he lived and died
in the United States, but he does not know in what country his father
was born. He is also unable to produce a certificate of his father’s
naturalization, but he made oath in his application for a passport that
his father was a naturalized American citizen.
As he was born in the United States and does not appear to be subject to
any foreign power (the German Government, it appears, makes no claim
that he is a German subject), I regarded him as being a citizen of the
United States and entitled to a passport accordingly, and one was
therefore issued to him as desired.
Under the circumstances I have thought best to report the facts specially
in order to bring the case particularly to the attention of the
Department.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 232.]
native.
March 28,
1895.
No. 808.]
I, Charlie Ehrlich, a native and loyal citizen of the United States,
hereby apply to the legation of the United States at Berlin for a
passport for myself.
I solemnly swear that I was born at Gloversville, in the State of New
York, on or about the 12th day of January, 1879; that my father was
a naturalized citizen of the United States; that I am domiciled in
the United States, my permanent residence being at Gloversville, in
the State of New York, where I follow the occupation of ——; that I
left the United States on the —— day of March, 1886, and am now
temporarily sojourning at Zawadzia-bei Kattwitz; that I am the
bearer of passport No. ——, issued by—— —— on the —— day of ——, 18—;
that I intend to return to the United States within two years with
the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship
therein; and that I desire the passport for the purpose of
protection and identification.
Oath of allegiance.
Further, I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the
Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion: So help me God.
Charlie Ehrlich.
Consulate of the United States, Breslau, Germany.
Sworn to before me this 27th day of March, 1895.
| [l. s.] |
Frederick Opp, U. S. Consul. |
Description of applicant.
Age, 16 years; stature, 5 feet 9 inches (Eng.); forehead, large and
round; eyes, brown; nose, medium; mouth, medium; chin, small; hair,
brown; complexion, dark; face, slightly long.
Identification.
Breslau, March 7, 1895.
I hereby certify that I know the above-named Charlie Ehrlich
personally, and know him to be a native-born citizen of the United
States, and that the facts stated in his affidavit are true to the
best of my knowledge and belief.
Address of witness: Breslau, Lessingstreet 11.
