World War I and Its Aftermath

Anslinger worked in the Army Ordinance Department throughout World War I--experience that prepared him for a diplomatic career immediately following the conflict. A brief assignment in Germany first exposed him to the international narcotics problem.

Assignment: Europe

Army Ordnance Department Poster, circa 1915.

At the outbreak of World War I, Anslinger volunteered for service. Due to an eye injury he did not pass the physical exam to become an active duty soldier and instead worked in the Army Ordnance Department. In 1918 he became a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Reserve Corps. Anslinger soon joined the diplomatic corps of the State Department.

In the closing days of World War I, Anslinger was instructed to make contact with the Kaiser and his entourage to encourage the Kaiser not to abdicate the throne. Based in The Hague at the time, Anslinger traveled to Amerongen and contacted the Kaiser’s court counselor to relay the message and serve as an intermediary between the U.S. government and the Kaiser’s staff.

From 1921 to 1923 Anslinger worked as vice-consul (clerk) to the American commissioner to Berlin, located in Hamburg, Germany. According to Anslinger, Hamburg at the time was a worldwide distribution center for illicit drugs. It was his first exposure to the international problem of narcotics.

In 1923 Anslinger married Martha Denniston and adopted her 12-year-old son, Joseph.

Anslinger in Europe

Anslinger and his family visited several places in Europe, including the Amerongen Castle in the Netherlands and Germany's Hamburg City Hall. On a trip to The Hague, Harry, Martha, and Joseph sat for a portrait in Dutch costumes (ca. 1923).

Amerongen Castle, the Netherlands. Undated photograph.

Hamburg City Hall, Germany. Undated photograph.

Harry, Joseph, and Martha Anslinger pose in Dutch costumes. The Hague, Netherlands, circa 1923.

Luggage

Anslinger used this luggage when he served on the American Ligation to The Hague between 1918-1921 and during his extensive worldwide travels over his career. He believed the job of enforcing America’s drug laws to be an international effort.

Tan leather suitcase with brass fittings.Remnants of shipping label printed Delegation of the United States. Manufacturer unknown, early 20th century.

Lockable brown composite suitcase reinforced with wooden ribs. Stenciled H.J. Anslinger American Legation The Hague. Manufactured by Schutz Marke, early 20th century.

Personal Collections

Anslinger also collected historical materials in Europe. A fluent German speaker, Anslinger joined the diplomatic corps of the State Department in 1918 and was assigned as an attaché with the American Ligation to The Hague. Obtained during his time with the Kaiser’s staff at their castle at Amerongen, Netherlands, were items from the Kaiser’s field utility kit, used at the Kaiser’s headquarters on the battlefront.

The items below include a Kaiser Wilhelm bookplate (ca. 1896) and the Kaiser's uniform buttons, which were left on top of a wardrobe (1918). The buttons' label translates: “Wardrobe / His Majesty the German Emperor and King of Prussia.”

Kaiser Wilhelm bookplate, circa 1896.

Uniform buttons on top of a wardrobe label belonging to Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, 1918.