Mr. Hay to Sir M. H. Herbert.
Washington, April 17, 1903.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note No. 86 of the 16th instant, by which you inform me that the Marquis of Lansdowne agrees to the suggestion which I made to you verbally on March 5 last, that, in order to save trouble and the waste of time involved by two journeys across the Atlantic, the purpose of the second article of the Alaska convention of January 24, 1903, might be considered as complied with by the appointment on each side of the commissioners, and the presentation of the respective cases, and even of the counter cases, without an actual meeting in London.
His lordship proposes that the following arrangements shall be considered as fulfilling the provisions contained in the second paragraph of Article II of the convention.
The delivery on May 2 (May 3, the correct date, falling on Sunday) of the British case at the United States embassy in London for the American members of the tribunal and the American agent.
The delivery on May 2 of the American case at the British embassy in Washington for the British members of the tribunal and the British agent.
This Government understands these arrangements to be now accepted on both parts, and will in accordance therewith deliver, on the 2d of May next, the American case at the British embassy at Washington for the British members of the tribunal and the British agent.
Note is taken of Lord Lansdowne’s further suggestion that the members of the tribunal might, later on, themselves arrange the date of meeting after the presentation of the counter cases and printed arguments.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, your excellency’s most obedient servant,