Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1896, and the Annual Report of the Secretary of State

Mr. Olney to Mr. Uhl.

[Telegram.]

Department of State,
Washington, November 25, 1896.

The statements of the foreign minister’s note to you of November 2 regarding tonnage dues on United States vessels in German ports do not satisfy the President that his proclamation of January 26, 1888, rests upon such absence of tonnage tax, light-house dues, or other equivalent tax upon American ships in German ports as is made a sole condition precedent by the statute under authority of which that proclamation issued. Consequently the exemption of German ships in United States ports can not longer continue. A proclamation revoking that of 1888 will forthwith issue, to take effect thirty days from its date, unless good reasons to the contrary are at once forthcoming. Notify foreign minister at once and cable any reply.

Olney.