Mr. Olney to Mr. Uhl.
Washington , May 22, 1896 .
Sir: Adverting to my instruction No. 53, of the 19th instant, to you, in regard to the imposition by the German authorities of tonnage dues [Page 146] and other taxes upon American vessels in the ports of Germany, I have to say that the Department deems it desirable that your embassy should prepare and send hither, as soon as practicable, a report in detail down to date, showing the aggregate amount of the tonnage dues and other taxes imposed upon American vessels in the ports of Germany since the 26th of January, 1888, the date of the President’s proclamation exempting German vessels from tonnage dues in the ports of the United States.
The information as to the amount and character of the taxes collected from American vessels by the German authorities, which will probably be needed to enable you to present the subject fully to the German foreign office, does not seem to be afforded by the fragmentary reports which have heretofore been received from our consuls in Germany. The reports in question have usually been sent in original to the Treasury, and are not available for the use of this Department.
You will call upon the proper consuls for such assistance as you may need in the compilation of the report.
I am, etc.,