Mr. Uhl to Mr. Sherman.
Berlin , April 21, 1897 . (Received May 7.)
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 240, of January 13 last, I have the honor to inform you that Casimir Hartmann was discharged from enforced service in the German army on the 10th instant, and that he is now sojourning with his mother in Alsace-Lorraine.
This case was brought to the attention of the embassy by the United States consulate at Kehl, Baden, in a letter which was received on January 13 last, and, as the Department has already been informed, intervention, looking to the immediate release of Hartmann from military service, was at once made. As no reply had been received to my first note, I again addressed the foreign office on the subject on February 1, calling attention to the fact that, in addition to his having become an American citizen, Hartman had, according to German law, lost his German allegiance through a residence of more than ten years abroad. No reply still having been received, I addressed the foreign office again on February 11 and 20, and on or about February 26 I called in person on Baron von Marschall and urged the importance of an early reply in the case.
In explanation of the delay I was informed that the investigation of the case was being made by the Imperial Statthalter of Alsace-Lorraine, and that a reply would be sent as soon as his report was received. No reply still being forthcoming, I again wrote to the foreign office on March 5, and on the 14th I was informed in writing that one would soon be made. On the 10th instant his promised reply was received, in which it is stated that the authorities have recognized the fact that Hartmann is a foreigner, and that consequently his discharge from service in the German army had been ordered.
Through the consulate at Kehl I have to day learned that on the 10th instant, after about three months’ obligatory service in the Second Hessian Infantry Regiment, No. 82, Hartmann was set at liberty.
I have, etc.,