[Inclosure.]
1. Nick Britten commenced a correspondence with the embassy with
regard to his military status in April, 1900, the result of which
was that intervention was made in his behalf (F. O. No. 881) on
January 23, 1901, to the end that he be recognized as an American
citizen and his military fine remitted.
Britten was born in the Rheinprovinz in 1864, and had emigrated to
the United States in 1882, subsequently becoming naturalized as a
citizen in the State of Iowa, where he continues to reside. Certain
money coming to him by inheritance had been attached on account of
his failure to perform military service.
Attention was again invited to this case on February 26 (F. O. No.
900), March 14 (911), and June 19 (972), and under date of July 10,
1901, a note was received from the foreign office in which it was
stated that the fine which Britten had been sentenced to pay, on
April 6, 1887, had been remitted. The “costs” in this case were also
remitted.
2. Lawrence M. Metzger (see case No. 1, in report accompanying Mr.
Jackson’s dispatch No. 1416,a of September 29, 1900) had been permitted
to make a visit to his former home in Germany, and after leaving for
the United States an application had been made for the remission of
his military fine (F. O. No. 77, of August 1, 1900).
Under date of August 18, 1901, a note was received from the foreign
office in which it was stated that the fine and the court’s costs
had been remitted. Certain other costs, amounting in all to 12
marks, had already been collected and this amount was not refunded.
No further action in the case is contemplated.
[Page 171]
3. Herrmann E. Meisner brought his case to the attention of the
embassy in June, 1901, and on the 26th of that month intervention
(F. O. No. 982) was made in his behalf, to the end that he might be
allowed to remain in Prussia for about two months longer.
Meisner was born in Prussia in 1858. When about 20 years of age, and
after having been found unfit for military service, he emigrated to
the United States, where he duly became naturalized as a citizen in
1886. In 1892 he had remained in Germany for about two months
without molestation. In December, 1900, he had again returned, on a
visit to his mother, and on June 15 he had received an order to
leave Prussia within fourteen days, the order having been issued by
the Berlin police presidency.
Under date of August 21, the foreign office notified the embassy that
Meisner would be permitted to remain until September 15.
4. Friedrich Koch, as reported by the United States consul at Bremen,
was born in Prussia in 1872, and, after having obtained his release
from Prussian allegiance, emigrated to the United States in 1888. He
became naturalized as a citizen in due time, and passport No. 42878
was issued to him by the Department. He returned to Germany in July,
and soon thereafter he was notified by the local authorities at his
former home in Schleswig-Holstein, that he must leave the country by
September 2.
On August 13, 1901, intervention (F. O. No. 1006) was made by the
embassy in his behalf, as Koch wished to be permitted to remain in
Prussia until October 8, and under date of September 13 the foreign
office replied that he might do so until October 1—in view of the
special circumstances in this particular case.
5. August Meyer was born in Prussia in 1876 and emigrated to the
United States in 1892, where he duly became naturalized as a
citizen. He returned to Germany about July 1, 1901, and soon
thereafter he received an order from the local authorities to leave
within five days. As permission had been granted Meyer’s brother to
remain until September 1, the embassy made intervention in his
behalf (F. O. No. 998) on July 25 to the end that like permission
might be granted him.
As nothing further has been heard of this case, either from Meyer
himself or from the American consul at Bremen, by whom it was
brought to the attention of the embassy, it is presumed that Meyer
was able to finish his visit without further molestation and that he
has now returned to the United States.
