Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.

No. 948.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that during the past few days there have been published in the official part of the “Reichs-Anzeiger,” proclamations by the local governors (Regierungs-Präsidenten) of the Prussian districts on the Belgian frontier (at Schleswic, in the paper of the 6th instant, at Gumbinnen, in that of the 8th, and at Luneburg and Dusseldorf, in last night’s paper), prohibiting the importation of fresh meat from Belgium into Prussia after the 15th instant. The publication of these notices in this way shows that the indicated action is taken with the consent, at least, of the Prussian Government. The Government is accordingly warmly supported by the Agrarian press, while the Liberal and Radical papers see only another effort to keep up the price of agricultural products in the interest of the Agrarians and to the disadvantage of the industrial classes.

In one of the proclamations (Luneburg) especial reference is made to the fact that it is possible that “Texas fever,” which is prevalent in the United States, and on account of which the importation of American cattle and fresh beef into Germany has been prohibited since the autumn of 1894, may be brought into Prussia from Belgium, as American cattle are now being slaughtered in the latter country.

In this connection I beg to state that since the receipt of the Department’s instructions Nos. 218 and 248, of November 15 and 30, 1897, respectively, no communication has been addressed to the German foreign office by this embassy in regard to Texas fever. The receipt of my note of November 1, 1897 (F. O. No. 166)—sent when Count von Bülow took charge at the Imperial foreign office—was duly formally acknowledged, but no reply to it has been made.

I have, etc.,

John B. Jackson.