Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1911

File No. 862.413St4/9.

The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.

Department of State,
Washington, November 23, 1910.

No. 493.]

Sir: I inclose a copy of an act of Congress, approved June 23, 1910, authorizing the execution, under direction of the Secretary of State and the Joint Committee on the Library, of a bronze replica of the statue of Gen. von Steuben (the erection of which in Washington had been previously authorized by Congress), for presentation to His Majesty the German Emperor and the German Nation, in recognition of the gift of the statue of Frederick the Great presented by the Emperor to the people of the United States.

Previous to the passage of this act the Department had been informally advised by the Imperial German ambassador at this capital that the passage of the act would be very agreeable to His Majesty the German Emperor provided only that the measure passed both Houses without giving rise to any criticism or disagreement. The act was so passed.

The Department is now about to contract with the artist of the von Steuben statue, Mr. Albert Jægers, for the execution of a replica in accordance with the provisions of the act of Congress. The act appropriates the sum of $5,000 for this purpose but does not provide any sum for the execution of a pedestal to support the statue. It appears evident to the Department that the sum is insufficient for that purpose and, in view of the fact that the statue of Frederick the Great, presented to the people of the United States by the German Emperor, was erected upon a pedestal provided by this Government out of the appropriation made by the sundry civil act approved Apr. 28, 1904, for the erection and dedication of the above-mentioned statue of Frederick the Great, it is presumed that the German Government would be willing to provide for the execution of the pedestal.

The Department will be gratified if you will ascertain the views of His Majesty the German Emperor on this point. You will also inquire where the German Government wishes the statue delivered, and as to the place it proposes for the erection of the replica.

The Department will at a later date furnish you with information as to the dimensions of the statue, which will enable the German Government to determine on the proper form of pedestal.

I am, etc.,

For the Secretary.

Alvey A. Adee.

[Inclosure.]

An Act for the erection of a replica of the statue of General Von Steuben.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the expenditure of the sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, authorized to be made under the direction of the Secretary of State and the Joint Committee on the Library for the erection of a bronze replica of the statue of General Von Steuben authorized to be erected in Washington; said replica to be presented to His Majesty the German Emperor and the German Nation in recognition of the gift of the statue of Frederick the Great, presented by the Emperor to the people of the United States.

Approved, June 23, 1910.