862.015311/6
The German Chargé (Leitner) to the Under Secretary of State (Phillips)
Mr. Under Secretary of State: By direction of my Government, I have the honor to advise Your Excellency of the following:
Late in the evening of July 26, shortly before the departure of the German steamship Bremen from New York harbor, the German flag flying from the bow of the steamship was violently torn off by demonstrators. I am instructed to make the most emphatic protest against this serious insult to the German national emblem, and I venture to express the expectation that everything will be done on the part of the American authorities charged with the prosecution of criminal offenses in order that the guilty persons may be duly punished.
Accept [etc.]