Mr. Dodge to Mr. Hay.
Berlin, July 31, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on July 24 last I was informed by the United States consul at Bremen that one Toni Schnackenberg, an American citizen, had been impressed into German military service. The consul stated that Schnackenberg was born at Carlshoofen, Kreis Zeven, on April 27, 1881; that he emigrated to the United States on September 10, 1895, provided with a “reisepass” from the proper authorities and with no charge of any kind against him. He returned to Germany, arriving on July 6 last, for the purpose of visiting relatives, and intended to return to the United States on August 22 next, holding a return ticket for that purpose. Shortly after his arrival in Germany he was arrested at the home of his father and put into the second company of the First Hanseatic Infantry Regiment, No. 75, at Bremen, where he had been held ever since. When arrested, Schnackenberg informed the authorities at the Landrat-Amt Zeven that he was an American citizen, but this was denied by them, although he was in possession of an American passport, issued by the Department of State, which he duly submitted.
The embassy at once addressed a communication to the foreign office requesting if the facts in this case were found to be as stated, that Schnackenberg’s American citizenship might be recognized, and that he might be immediately released from his enforced military service. To this the foreign office replied, on July 29, that the recognition of Schnackenberg’s American citizenship and his release from military service could only be considered after duly authenticated proof of his citizenship had been presented. His American passport could not be considered sufficient proof of this.
Before there was time for any further action to be taken in this matter, however, Mr. Diederich informed me that Schnackenberg had been released from his military service.
Unless, therefore, I hear that Schnackenberg is further annoyed and in the absence of instructions from you, I shall take no further action in this matter.
I have, etc.,