Mr. Boutell to Mr. Hay.

No. 60.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 60 of August 31, 1904, relating to the case of Jacob Wertli, who applied to the legation for a passport through the American consulate at [Page 817] Zurich. In accordance with your instructions, the legation has attempted to investigate the case, and has also instructed the consul at Zurich to do so. The legation wrote to the civil office at Bremgarten for information as to the birth of Jacob Wertli, and received the same information as that given to the consul and embodied in the consul’s letter, a copy of which I inclose herewith. Mr. Wertli himself refuses to call at the consulate at Zurich, or to explain any of his conflicting statements. The legation has, therefore, refused to issue the passport, in accordance with your instructions, and has informed by card the various embassies and legations, as well as the consul at Zurich.

I am, etc.,

Roger S. G. Boutell.
[Inclosure.]

Mr. Lieberknecht to Mr. Boutell.

Sir: Referring to your letter of the 9th instant, with inclosure of a copy of Department’s dispatch No. 60, in regard to the passport application of Jacob Wertli, I beg leave to report:

My inquiry addressed to the Civilstandsamt (recorder of vital statistics) at Bremgarten, Canton Aargau, elicited the fact that said Jacob Wertli is well known in Bremgarten, but that his birth is not registered there. The recorder, Mr. Gelvig, then went to Zufikon, the community in which Jacob Wertli is said to be at home, and made personal inspection of the register of births there, but said name was not to be found. Mr. Jacob Wertli has a sister living in Bremgarten by the name of Sidler Wertli, but she is unable to give date or birthplace of her brother, but thinks he was born in the Canton of Berne, but others think he was born in the Canton of Solothurn.

I have addressed a letter to Mr. Wertli requesting him to call at this consulate, but up to this writing he has not yet appeared, and I believe he will not. In a conversation with Mr. Simon, who took his application for passport, he informed me that Mr. Wertli could not produce his marriage certificate, as he has lost it.

Everything seems to indicate that Mr. Wertli has made false statements sometime and somewhere. The Civilstandsamt at Bremgarten promised to give further information about Mr. Wertli if they could at any time find out something, and I shall promptly report to you whatever I may learn in the case.

Your obedient servant,

A. Lieberknecht.