Mr. White to Mr. Hay.
Berlin , March 2, 1899 .
Sir: The time has perhaps arrived for a summary statement to the Department of the general progress made within the last half year in relation to our commercial and business interests in Germany.
As regards the American insurance interests, which have been so long under discussion, the prospect seems distinctly encouraging. The German Government, having delayed attention to the question so long that it seemed practically closed, yielded some time since to the request of the companies, made through the embassy, to allow a new presentation of the American case before the German special commission of experts, and has recently made the further concession, so long and so earnestly sought by the American companies, of sending a special commission to the United States for the purpose of examining into the system and methods of the companies at their headquarters in America.
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I am, etc.,