Mr. Gresham to Mr. White.
Washington , July 3, 1894 .
Sir: referring to the Department’s instruction, No. 208, of the 18th ultimo, in regard to the alleged arrest and deportation to Siberia of Stanislaus F. Krzeminski by the authorities of Lowicz, Piotrkow, I now send you a certified copy1 of Mr. Krzeminski’s certificate of naturalization.
The statements of Mr. Saperston’s letter, of which copy was sent to you with Mr. Uhl’s No. 208, were in some respects inaccurate as to the facts and antecedents of the case. By the application upon which passport No. 7,725 was issued to Stanislaus F. Krzeminski, on the 1st of March last, it appears that he was born in Poland March 28, 1833; that he came to the United States on the steamship Germania from Hamburg in 1868; that he resided continuously in this country for the succeeding twenty-six years, and that he was lawfully naturalized at Newark, N. J., on October 14, 1874, as appears from the certificate herewith sent you. Owing to a clerical error his name is given in the passport as Stanislau F. Kozeminski.
Since Mr. Krzeminski became invested with American citizenship, nearly twenty years ago, his reputation among business men has been good. A numerously signed petition in his behalf—of which a copy1 is inclosed—was filed in this Department on the 28th ultimo by the Hon. Owen A. Welles, M. C. It shows the widespread interest felt in the fate of this highly respected citizen by reputable men speaking whereof they know.
Mr. Krzeminski’s son, who has legally taken the name of Stanislaus C. Frank, and who bears a good commercial reputation in Buffalo, furnishes the affidavit1 which will be found among the inclosed papers.
The files of your legation show many instances where this Government has intervened in behalf of naturalized citizens of Russian origin, who, on returning to Russia with passports, have been denied the treatment [Page 543] which this country reasonably expects will be accorded its citizens, native and naturalized.
If the facts in Mr. Krzeminski’s case be as stated, his exile to Siberia, for no reason save his having quitted his native country some thirty years ago without imperial consent, would entail a hardship calling for earnest remonstrance.
The course your representations should take is in a great measure to be determined by you on the spot.
You will briefly report by cable the course of this matter and the result of your intervention.
A telegram on this subject was sent to you on the 30th ultimo, and its text is confirmed in another instruction of the 2d instant.
I am, etc.,