Mr. Jackson to Mr. Olney.
Berlin, February 13, 1896. (Received Feb. 29.)
Sir: I have the honor to report to the Department the case of Andrew (Andreas) Christensen. Christensen, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, emigrated in 1889, when about 17 years of age, and after having obtained his release from Prussian allegiance, to the United States, [Page 210] where, on the 8th of October last, he became naturalized as a citizen before the circuit court of McLean County, in the State of Illinois. Soon thereafter he returned on a visit to his native place (Brandsbüll near Kiel), and on the 4th ultimo he was ordered to leave Prussia within three days. The case was brought to the attention of the embassy on January 13, and on the same day intervention was made in Christensen’s behalf, and his request to be allowed to remain at Brandsbüll until the end of February was indorsed. This intervention was so far successful that Christensen, who had already been compelled to leave Prussian territory and had gone to Denmark, was permitted to return and to remain at Brandsbüll while his case was undergoing investigation. In a note which has to-day been received from the foreign office the embassy is, however, informed that to its regret the Prussian Government does not find itself in a position to recall the order expelling Christensen, as his emigration to America was notoriously merely in order to evade military service, as there were no special reasons why he should be permitted to visit his family at the present time, and as, for reasons of public order and on account of the dissatisfaction which his presence caused among those of the same age who were now serving in the army or were liable to be called on for such service, his sojourn at his native place while he was still at an age when he would himself be liable to be called on for service had his emigration not taken place, must be considered as particularly undesirable. As a matter of fact, it will be noted that Christensen’s intended visit to his family has been curtailed by only about two weeks.
I have, etc.,