File No. 701.6211/364
The German Ambassador (Bernstorff) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 19.]
Mr. Secretary of State: According to information which has reached me, a member of my Embassy, Mr. von Igel, was arrested to-day in New York.1 Although I have as yet no knowledge of the special circumstances, this is without doubt a violation of the extraterritorial rights which belong to me under the law of nations, and I therefore have the honor to ask of your excellency that the necessary [Page 809] orders be issued for the immediate release of Mr. von Igel and of such things as were seized together with him, as well as to direct that the responsible officials be reprimanded.
Accept [etc.]
- He had been indicted on April 17, 1916, for violation of the neutrality laws; he was released under bail on the day of his arrest.↩