File No. 5326/–1.

The Secretary of State to Ambassador Tower.

No. 588.]

Sir: I inclose, for suitable inquiry and report, copy of a letter from Mr. Henry Schultheis, of New York, who desires permission to visit his former home in Germany.

This military case, it appears, was the subject of correspondence between the embassy and Mr. Schultheis in 1900.

I am, etc.,

E. Root.
[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. Schultheis to the Secretary of State.

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.,

Henry Schultheis.
[Inclosure 2.]

Chargé Jackson to Mr. Schultheis.

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.,

John B. Jackson.