The Swiss Minister to the Secretary of State.
Washington, D. C., February 8, 1904.
Mr. Secretary of State: Giving effect to the wish expressed in 1899 by the International Conference of The Hague, the Swiss Federal Council invited, on the 17th of February, 1903, all the states signatories of the convention of the 22d of August, 1864, for the amelioration of the condition of wounded soldiers in armies in the field, to participate in a conference which would be held at Geneva [Page 1534] on the 14th of September, 1903, for the purpose of revising said convention. On the 24th of July, 1903, I had the honor to notify your excellency that the said conference had been postponed to a more propitious time.
Now, all obstacles to the realization of the wish of the Conference of The Hague being removed, the Federal Council has determined to invite anew the conference for the 16th of May next at Geneva.
By direction of my Government, I have, therefore, the honor to invite the Government of the United States of America to take part in the deliberations of this conference, and to be good enough to communicate to me its decision, as well as the names of its delegates, by the end of the month of March next at latest.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,