The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-22
QUEER CASE OF JACOB FRANZ.
His Government Refuses to Have
Anything to Do With Him.

His Government Refuses to Have
Anything to Do with Him.
The case of Jacob Franz, the crazy Ger
man sailor. who was sent from Savannah
to private asylum at Milledgeville some
months ago, by subscription raised from
among his countrymen and others, ap-
pears to become more and more perplex-
ing.
All legal measures have been exhausted
to do something for him, but it appears
that nowhere under the sun is there
place where he can be taken care Of with
out being a burden upon the charity of
private individuals. He cannot be sent to
the state Iunatic asylum, as the Morn
ing News stated some time ago, because
he is not citizen of this county or state.
The German consul here said he could do
nothing for him with his government, and
the matter was then taken up with the
German ambassador at Washington, the
highest representative Of that country in
America. Now reply has been received
by Judge Hampton L. Ferrill OF the court
of ordinary from that dignitary which is
more dlscouraging than ever, and which
even goes so far as to give the Unite
states slap on the same score. The let
ter is as follows:
Imperial German Embassy, Washington,
ID. c., Oct. 10, 1SS6.-Hampton l.. Ferrlll,
Esq, ordinary, Chatham County Sayan-
nah, Ga: Dear Sir-Your favor Of Oct.
is at hand. 1 beg to thank you cordial
ly Tor the care bestowed on my unfortu-
nate countryman, Jacob Franz Cor
F'ranck), but 1 am sorry to say that can
not do anything in order to have
him reDatriated to Germany. The
npFiqi
been informed by me OF this
particular case several months ago; but
there being no treaty between the two
countries covering such cases, and the
United States government having persist
emily hitherto, refused to take back such
American citizens as have been thrown
on public charity in Germany on account
of unacy, the imperial government can
not well be expected to take charge of
Jacob Franz. Very respectfully yours
Baron Thielmann, Ambassador of Ger
many.
The words from land the United States
government" to 'of lunacy," were heavily
underlined by Baron Thielmann, showing
that II IS considered a proper matter for
retaliation by his government. 1t is an
autograph letter, however on the private
letter paper of the ambassador.
This leaves the matter in rather pecu-
liar shape. Franz Is now at a private
asylum at Milledgeville, where he was
sent by fund raised among charitably in
clined strangers. That fund is exhausted.
He cannot go to the state asylum; it is
unlawful, and besides it is already over
crowded with lunatics, who are citizens
of the state. He cannot go back to Ger
many; the imperial government won't
permit it. So he has become forcibly a
public charge or rather a private charge,
for he is a charge upon individuals, as
there is no government to which he can
appeal. He cannot be released, as it
would be dangerous to the public peace
and safety" Altogether the case is one
unto itself; few like 1t perhaps have ever
been heard of. Judge Ferrill has done
everything in his power for the unfortu-
nate man, but it is apparent what success
his efforts have reached. 1t is a puzzle
for any diplomat to tell now what course
should be pursued.