Minister Wilson to
the Secretary of State.
Legation of the United States,
Brussels, February 27,
1906.
No. 67.]Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of department’s No. 47, of January 29, instructing me to
ascertain the views of the Belgian Government relative to the holding of
a third session of the Brussels international maritime conference, and
to report what governments, if any, have adopted the conventions
submitted by the October conference.
[Page 74]
I inclose herewith a copy of a note which, in compliance with your
instructions, I addressed to the Belgian minister for foreign affairs,
and a copy and translation of the reply thereto, from which it will be
seen that definite action has not been taken relative to the holding of
a third session, and that the only powers which have announced their
adhesion to the conventions are Belgium and the Independent State of the
Kongo.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Wilson to
the Belgian Minister for Foreign
Affairs, February 15, 1906.
Mr. Minister: The Department of State at
Washington has been advised, through unofficial channels—the
information, I believe, came from Secretary Frank, in the course of
a correspondence with Judge Goodrich, one of the American
delegates—that a third session of the international maritime
conference will be held within a delay which shall not exceed a
year, unless the different Governments may see, in the meantime,
their way to notify the Belgian Government, by diplomatic channels,
their adhesion without further deliberation.
My Government will be pleased to know whether this unofficial
information which it has received expresses an actual intention and
purpose, in order that Congress may be asked to provide for expert
American representation at the conference.
I am also instructed to ascertain what Governments, if any, have
adopted the conventions submitted by the October conference, and I
will be obliged to your excellency for the information.
Etc., etc., etc.
[Inclosure 2.]
The Belgian Minister
for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Wilson, February 26, 1906.
[Translation.]
Mr. Minister: I have had the honor of
receiving the letter that your excellency has kindly addressed me on
the 15th instant, relative to the international maritime
conference.
The Government of the King still continues to hope that the complete
study, which the conference has made, during the course of its
sessions, will make it possible for the different States represented
to sign the conventions regarding collision and salvage without
resorting to a third meeting.
The calling of a third session has not yet been proposed.
The Governments of the interested countries have not yet made known
their views relative to the projects of conventions referred to.
I may, however, declare from now on that the Government of the King
is disposed to proceed to the signature of the two conventions. The
Government of the Independent State of the Kongo has made the same
declaration.
Etc., etc., etc.
