File No. 5326/–1.
Department of State,
Washington, December 15,
1906.
No. 588.]
This military case, it appears, was the subject of correspondence between
the embassy and Mr. Schultheis in 1900.
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Schultheis
to the Secretary of State.
New
York, December 10,
1906.
Dear Sir: As I would like to visit my
birthplace with my family next year, I would ask if you would be
kind enough to use your good offices in my behalf with the German
embassy, so as to permit me to make this visit.
I was born in Flonheim, Rheinhessen, November 12, 1864, and left for
the United States during October, 1886 (after being drafted to serve
in the army), and became a citizen of the United States in 1892.
I had occasion to go on business to Europe during the spring of 1900
and, wanting to combine business with pleasure, wrote from London to
our embassy at Berlin, asking the embassy’s aid in securing for me
permission to visit my former home, giving at the time full
particulars of my case. I received reply M. No. 2244, saying that
the embassy would do all they could for me, and on July 18 I
received letter M. No. 2361, of which I inclose copy herewith.
I regret to state, however, that my visit did not turn out as
anticipated. I left just in time to avoid arrest. I notified the
embassy of the trouble and received reply M. No. 2548, and (at the
suggestion of Mr. John B. Jackson, secretary) I addressed a petition
for pardon to His Majesty Emperor Wilhelm on or about October 25,
1901, to which I received a reply that the pardon could only be
considered after I had reported for duty to the regiment to which I
was detailed. I was informed by the embassy at Berlin that if I
followed that suggestion
[Page 515]
I
would lose my citizenship of the United States; therefore it was out
of the question for me to avail myself of this opportunity.
Being now more than 42 years old, I am inclined to believe that the
charge against me is outlawed and that with the assistance of your
kind offices permission might be granted me to revisit my
birthplace.
Thanking you in advance for whatever aid you might be able to extend
to me, I beg, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Chargé Jackson
to Mr. Schultheis.
American Embassy,
Berlin, July 17,
1900.
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence,
the embassy has much pleasure in informing you that it has to-day
been notified by the German foreign office that “di Grossherzoglich
Hessische Regierung eine voriibergehende Rtickkehr des Burgers der
Vereinigten Staaten Heinrich Schultheis aus Flonheim in seine
Heimath nicht beanstandet.” In case you are in any way molested by
the local authorities during your proposed visit to your former
home, you should at once, communicate with the embassy or with the
American consulate at Mainz
I am, etc.,
