223
Enclosure 1.
Original
COPY.
Detension Camp,
Hongkong, 9th March, 1916.
To the General Officer Commanding, Hongkong.
Most honored Sir,
Praying your forgiveness for intruding on
your time, I beg permission, to put the situation, in which I
again before you, asking, most honoured Sir, your kind
consideration.
am
r
I am borne 1870, 30 of June, in Strassburg,
Elsass, by French parents. Four days after my birth the
Franco Prussian war started. My father was fighting on the
french side through the whole war, and got four French medals
for brave deeds. Shortly before Christmas 1870 my mother and
me were relieved from the Prussian siege of Strassburg by a
Suisse deputation, and were brought to Switzerland. After
conclusion of peace, when Alsace became Prussian, our whole
family moved to Beaumont in France. To save a bit of property
my father had to become German. In autumn 1871 however he was
imprisoned again because he was accused by the Prussians, that
he was agitating in favour of France, and only released on
condition, that he moved a thousand Kilometer away from our
homeland into Prussian Territory. He did so, and moved to a
place, called Budingen, Obergessen. A small farm was given
there to him by the Government. After scarcely 3 months however
he returned this farm, and moved with us all to Chicago. Since
that time we considered Chicago our home. I was living there
with my parents until I was 15 years, when my father died.
Shortly after his death my mother, I and two younger brothera
returned