Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hazy.
Berlin, September 17, 1900.
Sir: I have the honor to request a ruling of the Department in the following case.
This morning two persons, a sister and a brother, one over 21 years of age, the other still a minor, made application at the embassy for passports. They had been born in Canada of parents who were British subjects. On the death of their father, however, and during their minority, their mother had married an American citizen and the family had gone to reside in the United States. The step-father is now traveling in Russia; his wife and their two children desire to join him, and passports are needed to enable them to do so.
Although I should without question extend protection to these persons in case of necessity, I do not as at present advised feel at liberty to issue the desired passports containing the statement that the holder is “a citizen of the United States.” I am of the impression that under British law these persons are still British subjects and that they could obtain passports without difficulty from the British consulate-general in this city.
I have, etc.,