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Series 4: General Subject File, 1905-1920

2 boxes
Collection Creator:
Von Briesen, Arthur (1843)
Dates:
1905-1920
Extent:
2 boxes
Languages:
English German
Scope and Contents

This series is arranged topically by subject, and then chronologically. It contains information on von Briesen's many areas of work and interest, including his efforts to shape legislation, his activities within the German-American community, and his World War I reflections and opinions.

The nature of the legislative interests (federal and state) are various and span a number of years which indicates his devotion and general interest in political affairs and the welfare of America's citizens. Issues include immigration policies, loan shark bills, and domestic patent statutes.

The nature of the international patent and trade issues are just that -- the major issues are the Panama trade zone, Cuban patent rights and patent and trade freedom with Germany and the rest of Europe.

The Carl Holland files detail the dire straits in which post-war Germany found itself. Carl Holland came to the United States trying to develop business transactions to help Germany out of starvation and disaster. Von Briesen corresponded with Holland before the latter came to the United States, and besides trying to establish contacts for Holland, he discussed at length the situation in Germany and that country's relations with other European states and the United States. The coal issue (a central issue due to Germany's loss of Alsace Lorraine) as well as the desperate situation with transportation are discussed in detail.

There are a series of clippings which have to do with the performance of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar on 28 March 1916. Apparently the performance was organized through the German Theater (Deutsches Theater) and von Briesen was its spokesperson. In one of the clippings, he is quoted at length in the Volkszeitung for expressing his feelings towards "Deutschtum" and the hope that the world could continue to be brought together, regardless of nationality, through art and science. The efforts of the German Theater underscore this idea.

The War Issues file contains information on diverse issues and all are intensely debated by von Briesen. Issues discussed include: discrimination against German-Americans in America and particularly New York City; the morality of the Red Cross; von Briesen's response to anti-German propaganda; the legal implications of European treaty obligations; von Briesen's insistence on American neutrality. Newspaper clippings document these issues as well.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Credit this material:

Series 4: General Subject File; Arthur von Briesen Papers, MC034, Public Policy Papers, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (mudd): Box 8-9
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Marta A. Hanewald in June 1993. Finding aid written by Marta A. Hanewald in June 1993.

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

This series is arranged topically by subject, and then chronologically. It contains information on von Briesen's many areas of work and interest, including his efforts to shape legislation, his activities within the German-American community, and his World War I reflections and opinions.

The nature of the legislative interests (federal and state) are various and span a number of years which indicates his devotion and general interest in political affairs and the welfare of America's citizens. Issues include immigration policies, loan shark bills, and domestic patent statutes.

The nature of the international patent and trade issues are just that -- the major issues are the Panama trade zone, Cuban patent rights and patent and trade freedom with Germany and the rest of Europe.

The Carl Holland files detail the dire straits in which post-war Germany found itself. Carl Holland came to the United States trying to develop business transactions to help Germany out of starvation and disaster. Von Briesen corresponded with Holland before the latter came to the United States, and besides trying to establish contacts for Holland, he discussed at length the situation in Germany and that country's relations with other European states and the United States. The coal issue (a central issue due to Germany's loss of Alsace Lorraine) as well as the desperate situation with transportation are discussed in detail.

There are a series of clippings which have to do with the performance of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar on 28 March 1916. Apparently the performance was organized through the German Theater (Deutsches Theater) and von Briesen was its spokesperson. In one of the clippings, he is quoted at length in the Volkszeitung for expressing his feelings towards "Deutschtum" and the hope that the world could continue to be brought together, regardless of nationality, through art and science. The efforts of the German Theater underscore this idea.

The War Issues file contains information on diverse issues and all are intensely debated by von Briesen. Issues discussed include: discrimination against German-Americans in America and particularly New York City; the morality of the Red Cross; von Briesen's response to anti-German propaganda; the legal implications of European treaty obligations; von Briesen's insistence on American neutrality. Newspaper clippings document these issues as well.

Arrangement

No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.

Collection History

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Marta A. Hanewald in June 1993. Finding aid written by Marta A. Hanewald in June 1993.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Series 4: General Subject File; Arthur von Briesen Papers, MC034, Public Policy Papers, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
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Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (mudd): Box 8-9