Mr. Hay to Mr.
Storer.
Department of State,
Washington, November 14,
1903.
No. 53.]
Sir: I inclose a copy of a letter of the 7th
instant from Charles Strauss, stating that before he is allowed to open
a branch office for John Underwood & Co., manufacturers of
typewriting machines, at Vienna, he will be obliged to register the firm
at the “commercial court” in Vienna, and that he will be obliged to lay
before the “trade authorities” there a formal attestation of the
Secretary of State of the United States that Austrian subjects “are
admitted to trade” in the United States.
As a matter of fact no discrimination against aliens engaging in commerce
in the United States exists under Federal laws.
The Department would be glad if you would ascertain whether this
requirement of the Government of Austria-Hungary is a recent one, and
also what the exact form of the required certificate should be.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Strauss to
Mr. Hay.
New
York, November 7,
1903.
Dear Sir: I am endeavoring to open at
Vienna, Austria, a branch office for the firm of John Underwood
& Co., manufacturers of and dealers in typewriting machines and
typewriter supplies, having their head office at 241 Broadway, New
York City. I am informed that I shall be compelled to register the
firm at the commercial court in Vienna, and that I must lay before
the trade authorities there, as an essential prerequisite, a formal
attestation of the Secretary of State that Austrian citizens are
admitted to trade here—a so-called reciprocity note. May I ask you
kindly to oblige me by sending me a certificate expressing the
material contents as above, and formally attested for the purpose
stated. If any charges are incurred by compliance with this request,
I shall remit at once upon request.
Requesting your immediate attention to the matter,
I am, etc.,
