Office of the Historian

Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.

Embassy of the United States,
Berlin, August 9, 1899.
No. 989.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt by the embassy, this morning, of your cipher telegram, as follows:

The Prussian commissioners have about concluded their examination of the insurance companies in New York, and it is understood their report will be very friendly to our American companies. It is to be hoped that the report will be favorably received at home, and that it may be the means of reinstating these companies on a solid foundation. Whatever you can properly do within your sphere to bring about [Page 289] a good relation of the Government with the American insurance companies will be rendering a valuable service to the country. It might be made known, if it has not already been done, that we appreciate the sending of the commission to examine American insurance companies as an act of friendly and courteous consideration;

and to inclose herewith a copy of a note which was at once addressed to the German foreign office, informing it that the subject of the readmission of the American life insurance companies to do business in Prussia is one to which the United States Government attaches great importance.

I have, etc.,

John B. Jackson.
[Inclosure in No. 989.]

Mr. Jackson to Baron von Richthofen.

Embassy of the United States,
Berlin, August 9, 1899.

The undersigned, referring to Count von Billow’s note of April 14 last, and acting under instructions from his Government, has the honor to inform Baron von Bichthofen, acting secretary of state for foreign affairs, that the sending of Prussian commissioners to examine American insurance companies is appreciated as an act of friendly and courteous consideration. It is understood that these commissioners have about concluded their examination of the companies in question, and that their report will be friendly to them. It is consequently most sincerely hoped that the report will be favorably received by the appropriate authorities in Berlin, and that it may be the means of reinstating the American companies upon a solid foundation.

While adding that the matter is one to which the United States Government attaches great importance, the undersigned avails himself, etc.

John B. Jackson.