The Netherlands Minister to the Secretary of State.
Washington , January 23, 1906 .
Mr. Secretary of State: By order of my Government, I have the honor to transmit herewith to Your Excellency: (1) Two authenticated copies (one under article 6 of the convention, the other to be used as the instrument of ratification), together with two nonauthenticated copies of the convention concerning hospital ships, signed at The Hague on December 21, 1904; (2) an authenticated copy, together with a nonauthenticated copy, of the final act bearing the same date.b
The minister of foreign affairs instructs me at the same time to advise Your Excellency that thus far no adhesions have been declared to this convention, of which several of the signatory States are ready to deposit their instruments of ratification.
The Government of the Queen, however, is of opinion that it would be desirable not to effect the deposit of said instruments until the majority of the States signatories to the convention is in position to join in this first deposit.
Thus complying with the foregoing instructions, I embrace this opportunity to renew, etc.,
- Inclosures not printed.↩