The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-12
F. j. Schatt, a Naturalized Ame:i-
can, Had to Flee His Native
Town Under an Alias.
AUTHORITIES WERE AFTER HIM.
Wanted to Imprison Him for Hav.
ing Evaded Military Service,
Although He Had Been
Absent Eleven Years.

Franz Josef Schatt. proprietor Of the
Terminal Hotel barber shop. six weeks ago
decided to visit his native city in Germany
after an absence Of eleven years. He re-
turned few days ago. having passed
through some strange adventures. Although
an American citizen. Mr.. Schatt was forced
to flee under an assumed name from his ma
tive country to avoid arrest and incarcera-
ton for alleged violation Of Germany's mil
ttary laws.
The naturalization papers which Mr..
Schatt carried with him were ignored. he
says. and passport countersigned by Sec
rotary OF State Hay afforded him go Drotec-
ton.
Il left st. Louis May A." said Mr. Schatt,
accompanied by my 1O-year-old daughter,
Frederika. / carried duly certified naturali-
cation papers. and my passport which I
secured in April. contained my description
and destination. We sailed May 16 ON the
French Line steamer Lorraine, arrived at
Havre May "a. May 26 We arrived at my
native city. Mulhausen. Elass, in Southern
Germany. I Immediately went to my moth
er's house and remained for several DAYS.
Under the laws of Germany when a
stranger visits citizen the latter must
report the fact to the police after five days
have elapsed. My mother did this. In the
meantime 1 had gone to another Province
to attend wedding and then went to Baden
for four days. l returned June 10 to my
mothers home and was told that the police
had watched the house for me for nearly a
week. They had Informed my mother that
T., was to be fined goo marks and placed In
once year for. military duty. All that
time. Of course, I had been in the United
States. My mother took my passport and
Nnn IN fhn mil nn hut ylyd inf Tylndf
were no good In my case. as was German
born and as such must always be amena-
BILE to Germany's laws.
IA policeman had left Just few moments
before arrived at my mothers house.
gathered a few clothes together and cauti-
ously made my way to the house Of an
900. and was therefore Comparatively safe
on the streets. I remained hid the next
day while my cousin bought me a ticket
When the tn train p na 59
as It left I ran and caught one OF the
| coaches without being observed.
Eat Strasburg found the American Con,
| sul's office closed, and under an assumed
name remained all night In tavern oppo,
site his Office. The next morning I called
on the Consul. Alexander Wood. He ad,
| would follow the disclosure Of my identity
That afternoon took a train which set me
down in the evening at Basel, Switzerland
that my only safety lay in staying out OF
Germany. / was fearful that the German
authorities would seize my daughter, but ;
few DAYS later she arrived safely at Basel
accompanied by my mother. did not havi
the time to stay in Switzerland until tn
| matter was Strengthened out, and biddin;
my mother farewell took q train for Franc
and arrived in New York June go / reached
St Louis two days later.
.I first came to America In April, 1890 M.
passport was good returning until Deeem
Der Of the same year. For all the year
that have interviewed / have never communi
Gated with the German authorities and
presume they still hold that loss OF clever
years of service against me-"