Mr. Runyon to Mr. Gresham.

No. 232.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have to-day issued a passport to one Charlie Ehrlich upon the application, a copy of which is herewith inclosed.

It appears that Ehrlich was born in the United States in 1879 (he is now about 16 years old), and after the death there of his father he was brought to Germany in 1886. Here he has since resided (his mother is also dead), presumably without molestation, as until a short time ago [Page 535] nothing was known of him by the embassy. On the 5th instant he made application at the consulate at Breslau for a passport, having been notified that he must either produce some paper in which his nationality was officially recognized or else leave Prussia before April 1 next. He is unable to furnish any information concerning his father; he only knows that he lived and died in the United States, but he does not know in what country his father was born. He is also unable to produce a certificate of his father’s naturalization, but he made oath in his application for a passport that his father was a naturalized American citizen.

As he was born in the United States and does not appear to be subject to any foreign power (the German Government, it appears, makes no claim that he is a German subject), I regarded him as being a citizen of the United States and entitled to a passport accordingly, and one was therefore issued to him as desired.

Under the circumstances I have thought best to report the facts specially in order to bring the case particularly to the attention of the Department.

I have, etc.,

Theodore Runyon
.
[Inclosure in No. 232.]

native.

No. 808.]

I, Charlie Ehrlich, a native and loyal citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the legation of the United States at Berlin for a passport for myself.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Gloversville, in the State of New York, on or about the 12th day of January, 1879; that my father was a naturalized citizen of the United States; that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Gloversville, in the State of New York, where I follow the occupation of ——; that I left the United States on the —— day of March, 1886, and am now temporarily sojourning at Zawadzia-bei Kattwitz; that I am the bearer of passport No. ——, issued by—— —— on the —— day of ——, 18—; that I intend to return to the United States within two years with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and that I desire the passport for the purpose of protection and identification.

Oath of allegiance.

Further, I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion: So help me God.

Charlie Ehrlich.

Consulate of the United States, Breslau, Germany.

Sworn to before me this 27th day of March, 1895.

[l. s.] Frederick Opp, U. S. Consul.

Description of applicant.

Age, 16 years; stature, 5 feet 9 inches (Eng.); forehead, large and round; eyes, brown; nose, medium; mouth, medium; chin, small; hair, brown; complexion, dark; face, slightly long.

Identification.

Breslau, March 7, 1895.

I hereby certify that I know the above-named Charlie Ehrlich personally, and know him to be a native-born citizen of the United States, and that the facts stated in his affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Adolf Scharlaneg.

Address of witness: Breslau, Lessingstreet 11.