Mr. Uhl to Mr.
Breckinridge.
Department of State,
Washington, May 15,
1895.
No. 54.]
Sir: In connection with the Department’s No.
50, of the 3d instant, directing you to investigate and extend your good
offices in the case of John Ginzberg, arrested in Russia for having, as
is understood, evaded military duty, I have now to inclose for your
further information a copy of a letter from his excellency the governor
of Montana, of the 9th instant, covering an affidavit of John M. Lewis,
of Glasgow, in that State, bearing upon the case of Mr. Ginzberg, and a
printed copy of his pathetic letter detailing the features of his
complaint.
Although I remarked in my previous instruction that Mr. Ginzberg had been
granted a passport, and that his sworn statements corresponded with
those contained in the letter from Mr. Robert M. Lewis, I send, out of
abundant caution, a copy of Mr. Ginzberg’s passport application, dated
October 4, 1894.
It is possible, as would appear from a remark in his printed letter of
March 26 last to Mr. Lewis, that his case had been brought to your
attention prior to the receipt of the Department’s No. 50, but if not, I
am confident that you will upon its arrival do whatever you properly can
to effect Mr. Ginzberg’s release should the facts as ascertained by you
warrant your intervention in his behalf.
I am, etc.,
Edwin F. Uhl,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 54.]
Mr. Richards to
Mr. Gresham.
Executive Office,
Helena
Mont., May 9,
1895.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
for your consideration the affidavit of one John M. Lewis, of
Glasgow, this State, bearing upon the case of John Ginzberg.
[Page 1083]
It appears that Ginzberg is an American citizen who is unlawfully
detained by the Russian authorities and that a release can only be
obtained through the kindly offices of your Department.
For your further enlightenment I also inclose a copy of a letter
written by Ginzberg to Mr. Lewis, as published in the local paper.
Mr. Lewis is a reputable citizen of this State, and I trust the
facts set forth in his affidavit will warrant your Department in
prompt and earnest efforts to secure the liberation of Ginzberg and
his restoration to his home and friends.
I am, etc.,
J. E. Richards,
Governor of Montana.
[Subinclosure in No.
54.]
Affidavit of Mr. Lewis.
State of Montana, County of Valley, ss:
John M. Lewis, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that he was
registry agent in Glasgow, Mont., for the general election of 1892,
and that at that time one John Ginzberg exhibited to him his
certificate of naturalization as a citizen of the United States of
America; that he has known the said John Ginzberg for about four
years and is now informed and believes that the said John Ginzberg
has been deprived of his naturalization papers by the Russian
authorities and is unlawfully detained at Minsk Pinsk, Loheshin,
Russia. Deponent further deposes and says that he has seen the
letter written by said John Ginzberg describing his detention and
confinement; that he is acquainted with the signature and writing of
the said John Ginzberg and has compared with a signature on file
written by the said John Ginzberg, and that he has no doubt the
letter was written by the identical John Ginzberg whose
naturalization papers he has seen, and he further believes the said
John Ginzberg to be a credible person and a good citizen of the
United States of America.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st day of May, 1895.
[
seal.]
John J. Kerr,
Notary Public in and for Valley County,
State of Montana.
