Francis to Baron Pasetti, November 21, 1884

Mr. Francis to Baron Pasetti.

Your Excellency: Referring to my note F. O. 11, of the date of October 28, 1884, relating to the case of Louis (or Leibel) Feinknopf, an American citizen, who has been summoned by the military authorities at Krakau to report for assignment to duty in the Austrian army, I have the honor to state that so far he has received no notification assuring him exemption from his service to which he is entitled under the treaty of 1870 between the United States and Austria-Hungary, and he writes me, under date of November 19, that the summons is still held as binding upon him.

I again earnestly invoke the attention of your excellency to this subject as one that concerns the personal liberty and rights of a citizen of the United States. If the representation of this case as made by me is an accurate statement of the facts, as I think it is, Louis (or Leibel) Feinknopf is no more subject to conscription for service in the Austrian army than any native citizen of the United States would be on visiting this country, and it would seem that he should be promptly relieved from arrest and his name erased from the military roll.

I need not say, what will readily occur to your excellency, that for a period of four weeks he has been subjected to anxiety and inconvenience in consequence of the proceedings of the military authorities at Krakau against him, and very properly he asks that in his behalf there may be accorded the protection assured him as an American citizen under solemn treaty obligations.

Respectfully requesting reply to my communication of October 28 on this subject, an answer to this note as soon as may be convenient to your excellency,

I have, &c.,