Mr. White to Mr. Hay.
Berlin, August 20, 1902.
Sir: * * * I have the honor to report the expulsion from Prussia of Charles Von Oehsen, (Carl) Christian Markhoff and family, and Henry Blohm, American citizens of German origin, who had returned on visits to their former homes, in the neighborhood of Bremen. Von Oehsen and Blohm emigrated when about 16 and 14 years old, respectively, and duly became naturalized as American citizens, neither of them having performed military service in Germany. Von Oehsen returned to Germany almost immediately after his naturalization, last April, and after moving about the countiy and making several visits at his former home he was told, on July 5, that he must leave Prussia. The embassy intervened soon thereafter, to the end that he might remain until August 30, Von Oehsen living in Bremen in the meantime. On August 5 a reply was received, in which it was stated that he could not be permitted to return to Prussia, and that his expulsion from Bremen was being considered. The consul now writes that Von Oehsen was expelled from Bremen, and that he sailed for the United States on the 16th instant.
In June Blohm complained that the local authorities had told him that he would be allowed to remain in Prussia for two months, and the embassy then intervened in his behalf, to the end that he might be permitted to prolong his stay until October. The foreign office has now replied that Blohm had, at his own request, been granted permission to remain in Prussia till July 1; that he had then started upon a trip and his present whereabouts are unknown, and that as his continued residence was not considered desirable the order of expulsion would not be canceled.
[Page 459]Christian Markhoff is the father of the young man whose expulsion was reported in the embassy’s dispatch No. 1714, of August 28, 1901. He and his family are reported as being anxious to go back to the United States, but that as they are in straitened circumstances they are unable to do so. In June, however, the local authorities ordered them to leave Prussia, and the embassy thereupon made intervention in their behalf. The foreign office has now replied that the Royal Prussian Government is not in a position to allow the family (with the exception of the two eldest daughters, who appear to be able to support themselves) to remain here longer.
I am, etc.,