Mr. Hay to Mr. Eddy.

No. 164.]

Sir: In reply to your dispatch No. 146 of May 27 last, in relation to the apparently fraudulent naturalization of Michael Silberkasten, I inclose for your information a copy of a letter from the Attorney-General, to whom the matter was referred.

Silberkasten’s application for a passport and his certificate of naturalization, transmitted to the Department with your said dispatch, are returned herewith.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Moody to Mr. Hay.

Sir: Referring to previous correspondence, relative to the alleged fraudulent naturalization of one Michael Silberkasten in the United States circuit court for the district of Massachusetts, I have the honor to say that the Department is advised by the United States attorney for that district, that after investigation he finds that the certificate taken from the Russian applicant for passport is a valid instrument. He further states, however, that the signature of the applicant for passport does not appear to be in the same handwriting as the signature to the application for citizenship, and that the statements contained in the application for passport regarding the date of birth and the date of arrival in the United States are not the same as those in the application for admission to citizenship. The action of the consul, therefore, in taking up the certificate was perfectly proper.

The application for passport and the certificate of citizenship are herewith returned.

Respectfully,

W. H. Moody.