Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.

No. 952.]

Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 948, of the 11th instant, I have the honor to inform you that last night’s Reichs-Anzeiger contains further proclamations—among them one from the Prussian Regierungs-Prasident at Danzig and from the ministry of state of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg—in regard to prohibiting the importation of fresh beef from Belgium after the 15th instant. Several of these proclamations, including that of Oldenburg, refer to the fact that American cattle are allowed to be slaughtered in Belgium, and that consequently there is danger of meat from such cattle being imported into Germany, with the accompanying risk of introducing Texas fever, unless the importation of fresh beef from Belgium is prohibited entirely.

It is now evident, although it was so to be assumed from the beginning, that the action taken is with the knowledge of the Imperial Government. This action is, however, merely the logical sequence of the prohibition of the importation of American cattle and fresh beef into Germany, which has been in force for almost five years. American meat can not consistently be allowed to be imported through Belgium when its direct importation is prohibited. In the absence of instructions, therefore, I shall for the present at least make no representations at the foreign office in the matter, which was apparently turned over to the Department of Agriculture in November, 1897, and as I knew that Dr. Stiles had cabled directly to that Department in regard to it, I have not thought it necessary to inform you of it by telegraph.

I have, etc.,

John B. Jackson.