Mr. Olney to Mr. Uhl.
Washington , February 19, 1897 .
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence concerning the alleged discrimination against American woods in the freight tariff on railways in Germany under Government control, I inclose for your information and the files of your embassy a copy of a letter of the 4th instant from the Hon. N. C. Blanchard relative to the complaint of the Austro-American Stave and Lumber Company of Louisiana in regard to similar discriminations against it. A copy of the Department’s reply to Mr. Blanchard’s communication is also inclosed.
In this connection I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 253, of the 25th ultimo, inclosing a copy of a note of the 22d ultimo, to you from the German foreign office, giving an explanation which the [Page 240] German Government hopes will convince the Department that there is no differential treatment of woods of American origin by the German authorities. A copy of Baron von Rotenhan’s note has been sent to Mr. Blanchard for the information of the Austro-American Stave and Lumber Company.
The Department will await replies from Mr. Blanchard and from your embassy as to the views of Mr. Gartner before giving you further instructions on the subject.
I am, etc.,