Mr. Day to Mr. Tower.

No. 75.]

Sir: I inclose for your information copies of correspondence, as indicated below, with Messrs. McKinley & Gottlieb relative to the case of Ignatz Gutman, an American citizen, residing in the city of New York, who, while on a visit to Hungary, his native country, was impressed into the Hungarian army at the city of Losoncz.

I also inclose a certified copy of the record of the naturalization of Joseph Gutman, the young man’s father, and an affidavit1 to the effect that his son came to this country as a minor and is a citizen of the United States.

You are instructed to bring the matter to the attention of the foreign office with the request that the subject may be promptly investigated, with a view to having the young man discharged from the Hungarian army as soon as possible.

Respectfully, yours,

William R. Day,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 75.]

Messrs. McKinley & Gottlieb to Mr. Sherman.

Sir: A client of ours, Ignatz Gutman, a resident and a citizen of the United States and of the city of New York, who is on a visit in Hungary, has been taken as a soldier into the Hungarian army at the city of Losoncz.

He has been taken there under protest into the Twenty-fifth Regiment, stationed at that city.

Said Gutman is 22 years of age; was a voter of this city. His father and brothers are citizens of this State and of the United States. He acquired his citizenship by the naturalization of his father, having come to this country before he was 18 years of age.

We therefore kindly ask you to take such steps as are necessary to procure his release from the Hungarian military service and for safeguard to come back to this country.

If any proof is necessary please inform us, and we will send such proof as required in order to obtain his release.

An early reply awaiting, we are, yours, most respectfully,

McKinley & Gottlieb.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 75.]

Mr. Day to Messrs. McKinley & Gottlieb.

Gentlemen: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, asking for the intervention of the Department on behalf of Mr. Ignatz Gutman, alleged to be an American citizen, who has been drafted into the Hungarian army at the city of Losoncz.

[Page 38]

In reply I have to inform you that it will be necessary for you to furnish an authenticated copy of the father’s certificate of naturalization, and evidence, under oath, that Mr. Ignatz Gutman came to this country while a minor. The date of the birth of the latter should be stated.

If the papers are found to be satisfactory, the United States minister at Vienna will be promptly instructed to intervene in behalf of your client.

Respectfully, yours,

William R. Day,
Assistant Secretary.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 75.]

Messrs. McKinley & Gottlieb to Mr. Day.

Sir: Yours of January 28, 1898, received. According to instructions we herewith forward certified copies of citizenship of the father of Ignatz Gutman, and also affidavits that said Ignatz Gutman came to this country as a minor and is a citizen of the United States.1

We kindly ask you to investigate this matter and to demand the release of said Ignatz Gutman from the Hungarian army, where he is serving.

A reply awaiting, we are, yours, most respectfully,

McKinley & Gottlieb.
  1. Not printed.
  2. Inclosures not printed.