Mr. White to Mr. Hay.
Berlin , December 31, 1901 .
Sir: Referring to Mr. Jackson’s dispatch No. 1743 of September 30, I have the honor to report that the only military case—not already mentioned—which has been brought to a conclusion during the quarter ending to-day is that of Karl Kammerer, and that almost no such cases are pending at the present time.
The facts in Kammerer’s case are substantially as follows: Born near Villingen, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, in 1869, he emigrated in 1886 to the United States, were he duly became naturalized as a citizen in 1894. In 1892 he was sentenced by the Baden authorities to pay a fine of 200 marks on account of his evasion of military service. This fine had not been collected.
As Kammerer wished to make a visit to his native place, and as he feared trouble unless this fine should be canceled, he brought his case to the attention of the embassy, and intervention was made in his behalf (F. O. No. 999) on July 30, last. Attention was again called to the case (F. O. No. 1034) on September 27.
Under date of October 12, however, the embassy was informed by [Page 172] the imperial foreign office that the judgment against Kammerer would not be executed, and that there was nothing to prevent his making the desired visit to his former home. This information was communicated to Kammerer at his residence in the United States (York, Pa.), and nothing has since been heard from him.
I am, etc.,