File No. 7167/10–13.

Chargé Bliss to the Secretary of State.

[Extracts.]
No. 208.]

Sir: Referring to Mr. Wilson’s Nos. 183 and 197, of June 4 and July 8, respectively, I have the honor to report the present status of the question arising from Great Britain’s proposal to withdraw from the Brussels sugar convention of 1902.

As the department is already aware, the British Government has signified its willingness to continue its adherence to the convention in the event that a means may be found to release it from the obligation of applying the penalties which the convention imposes on bounty sugar.

Following an exchange of views between the Governments of Great Britain and of Belgium, it was agreed by the contracting parties that an effort should be made to meet the proposition of Great Britain, and to this end it was decided to hold a meeting of the permanent sugar commission in which the question was to be examined.

In the meetings of the commission, held at Brussels on July 25, 26, and 27, the proposition of Great Britain was studied and considered at length. From a reliable source I learn that the delegates generally showed a marked disposition to arrive at a means of retaining the adhesion of Great Britain.

The result of the deliberations of this meeting has been the drawing up of an additional act to the convention to be submitted for ratification by the several contracting parties.

I have, etc.,

Robert Bliss.