No. 14.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Alvensleben.
Washington, March 4, 1886.
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence on the subject, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 15th ultimo, relative to the question as to the applicability of the most favored-nation clauses of the treaties of Prussia and other German states and the United States to the provisions of section 14 of the act of Congress of June 26, 1884.
In reply I beg to inform you that your note will have consideration, it being sufficient for the present to observe that Germany admits that neighborhood and propinquity justify a special treatment of intercourse which may not be extended to other countries under the favored-nation clause in treaties with them, and only appears to question the distance within which the rule of neighborhood is to operate.
Accept, sir, etc.,