Mr. Porter to Mr.
Hay.
Embassy
of the United States,
Paris, November 3,
1899.
No. 555.]
Referring to my No. 537 of September 14, informing the Department that I
had again communicated with the foreign office with reference to the
Anthony Pollok prize, and transmitted copies of the printed circular
received with your No. 658, I now send a copy and translation of a note
from Mr. Delcassé in reply to my communication.
The minister states that the circular will be given to the press, and
that the French commissioner-general will have an understanding with Mr.
Peck for the organization of the competition.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Mr. Delcassé to
Mr. Porter.
Mr. Ambassador: Your excellency has been
good enough to inform me, by two letters of the date of May 27 and
September 7 last, of the determination taken by the heirs of Mr.
Anthony Pollok for the founding of a prize of 100,000 francs
destined to reward the best life-saving apparatus in case of an
accident at sea.
Your excellency has sent to me at the same time three copies of
notice given out by the Government of the United States on the same
subject, asking me to assure it the greatest possible publicity, and
to let you know what measures the Government of the Republic means
to take for the organization of the competition where the award of
the “Anthony Pollok” prize will be decided.
The minister of commerce, whom I desired to consult, has just
informed me, and I have the honor to advise your excellency of it,
that his department has caused to be given to the press the public
communications which are necessary.
On the other hand, Mr. Picard, in accord with the
commissioner-general of the United States, has made a project of
ruling, relative to the organization of the competition, for the
judgment of the apparatus exhibited and for the award of the prize.
This project of ruling will be rendered definite upon the return of
the commissioner of the United States, who is now traveling, and
will be communicated to the interested exhibitors.
Accept, etc.,
