File No. 763.72114/3999
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall)
Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 4190 of August 16, 1918, transmitting a copy in original and translation of a note verbale from the German Foreign Office, relative to the protest of the German Government against the practice of taking photographs and fingerprints of German officers.
In reply, you are instructed to inform the German Government, through the appropriate diplomatic channels, that a report has been received from the Secretary of War stating that all officers of the United States Army are required by General Orders, No. 17, section IV, W. D., February 13, 1918, to have their fingerprints taken, the records to be filed with The Adjutant General of the Army. The purpose of this order is to insure greater accuracy of identification.
In the view of the War Department, the practice of taking fingerprints is not inhumane, humiliating, or disrespectful in the sense of putting American officers and soldiers on a footing with criminals.
[Page 38]With reference to the closing statement of the note verbale of the Foreign Office that if its protest is not heeded American prisoners in German hands will be treated in like manner and similar fingerprints and measurements taken, you are instructed to state that the War Department will not only not object to such action but will welcome it as being in keeping with its own policy.
I am [etc.]