Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1902
Mr. Swenson to Mr. Hay.
Copenhagen, December 17, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the Department’s information, copies of correspondence bearing on the military-service cases of James John Hansen and Anton Miller, both of which, you will observe, were disposed of in a satisfactory manner.
I have, etc.,
Mr. Swenson to Dr. Deuntzer.
Copenhagen, August 26, 1902.
Excellency: James John Hansen (Jens Johannes Hansen), a naturalized citizen of the United States, applies to me for intercession with the Danish Government in his behalf. His case is as follows: He was born at Nasby, Denmark, February 17, 1873. In conformity with the conscription laws of Denmark, he performed military service from March 30 to December 17, 1892. Had he remained in this country he would have been liable to duty again in the fall of 1894 and 1896. Meanwhile, however, he emigrated to the United States, April 20, 1893, where he became naturalized as an American citizen, before the supreme court of the State of Washington, for the county of Chehalis, April 20, 1900. On the 2d of September, 1901, he returned to his native country for the purpose of marrying. It had been his intention to return to the United States after a short visit here; but he was prevailed upon by his mother-in-law to prolong his stay. He intends to conserve his American citizenship and to return to the United States within a reasonable time.
The recruiting officer in Sölvgade, this city, has sent him a notice to report for military duty September 10 next.
In view of the facts set forth in the above statement, I would respectfully request that your excellency bring the matter to the attention of the proper authorities, in order that Mr. Hansen may be declared exempt from military duty, to which he is not liable as a citizen of the United States.
I avail, etc.,
Mr. Krag to Mr. Swenson.
Copenhagen, September 25, 1902.
Mr. Minister: By a note dated the 26th ultimo you informed me that a Mr. James John Hansen, born in Denmark, February 17, 1873, and naturalized as a citizen of the United States in 1900, had, while temporarily sojourning in Denmark, received notice to report for military service, and you requested that the necessary orders be issued for his exemption from such duty.
I lost no time in submitting Mr. Hansen’s case to the competent authority, and I have the honor to inform you that I have received a communication stating that on producing proof of his American citizenship Mr. Hansen has been exempted from military service in this country. I would add that he will be proceeded against for having failed to complete his service in 1894 and following years, up to the time of his naturalization in the United States.
Mr. Swenson to Dr. Deuntzer.
Copenhagen, August 27, 1902.
Excellency: I have the honor to submit the following military-service case of Anton Miller (Anthon Marius Miller), a naturalized citizen of the United States. Mr. Miller was born in Denmark March 6, 1864. He performed six months’ military service in 1886, and would have been called in again for the required one month’s duty in 1888 and 1890. In March, 1887, however, he emigrated to the United States, where he became naturalized as an American citizen, before the district court, second judicial district, at St. Paul, Minn., January 5, 1898. The following year he returned to Denmark for the benefit of his wife’s health. He resided two years in Copenhagen, and is now at Veile, Jutland. The condition of his wife’s health, as well as his own, has protracted his stay in his native country. You will find inclosed herewith a certificate from Dr. G. Schleisner, Veile, regarding Mr. Miller’s physical condition.
[Page 380]He intends to return to the United States as soon as his wife has regained sufficient strength to justify him in bringing her back to their home in St. Paul, Minn. In the spring of 1900 he was summoned before the competent authority in Copenhagen and adjudged to pay a fine of 20 kroner and to serve a two days’ jail sentence for having neglected to obtain the required permit from the minister of justice at the time of his emigration. Having paid this penalty for an offense committed while yet under the jurisdiction of the Danish authorities, he was not further amenable to the military-service laws of Denmark, his American citizenship exempting him therefrom. He has, nevertheless, received notice from the recruiting office of Fredericia to report for military duty at that place September 12 next. Mr. Miller asks me to intercede for him. I will thank your excellency to bring his case to the attention of the proper authority, with a view to advising the office at Fredericia to make no demand on him for military service.
I avail, etc.,
Dr. Deuntzer to Mr. Swenson.
Copenhagen, September 20, 1902.
Mr. Minister: By a note dated the 27th ultimo you informed me that a Mr. Anthon Marius Möller (Miller), born in Denmark March 6, 1864, and naturalized as a citizen of the United States in 1898, had, while temporarily sojourning in Denmark, received notice to report for military service, and you requested that the necessary orders be issued for his exemption from such duty.
I lost no time in submitting Mr. Miller’s case to the competent authority, and I have the honor to inform you that I have received a communication stating that on appearing before the court of revision he was excused from service on account of sickness. The case is, accordingly, closed.
Be pleased, etc.,