Francis to Count Szögyényi, December 16, 1884

Mr. Francis to Count Szögyényi.

Your Excellency: Referring to my notes, numbered 11 and 13, of the dates of October 28 and November 21, respectively, and the note of your excellency numbered 27180/7, dated November 29, treating of the case of an American citizen, Louis (or Leibel) Feinknopf, who was summoned in October last by the military authorities at Krakau to report for duty in a regiment to which he had been assigned, I now beg leave to state that, in my notes referred to, together with memoranda on the subject handed by me to your excellency on the 28th of November, namely: (1) Certificate of the birth of the said Feinknopf; (2) notarial certificate showing the year when he emigrated to the United States, and (3) the summons served upon him by the military authorities at Krakau, the evidence is presented that under the treaty of 1870 the American citizen, Louis (or Leibel) Feinknopf, cannot be held to do military duty for Austria-Hungary, and I therefore requested that he be relieved from arrest and his name be stricken from the military roll at Krakau.

The case appeared so clear in the light of recent precedent as well as from the evidence presented, that it seemed to me a decision would be arrived at without much delay; but seven weeks have already elapsed since the matter was brought to the attention of his Imperial Royal Majesty’s Government, and I am not yet advised as to its action, if action has been taken by it in the premises. I take the liberty, therefore, of again calling your excellency’s attention to this matter, seeing that further delay may involve serious inconvenience, as to me it will be embarrassing.

I avail myself, &c.,