Mr. Loomis to Mr. Eddy.
Washington, December 17, 1904.
American claimants Russian prize cases unable to get from Russian consuls legalization and transmission of powers of attorney in form [Page 776] suggested by you. Consuls say they lack authority. Have foreign office give them full authority to certify and transmit by cable in Russian or English powers of attorney necessary to take appeal. Claimants complain that instructions received from Russian Government through you lack definiteness as to whether powers of attorney must be in Russian or whether English will do, or whether they must be legalized and transmitted by Russian consul-general, or may be, after legalization, transmitted by Department to embassy or Berline. Telegraph most explicit and brief instructions as to exact steps claimants must take. They are anxious to appeal, but have been hampered by difficulty of communication and by alleged want of authority of Russian consuls and consuls-general.