Minister Wilson to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Brussels, November 10,
1908.
No. 422.]Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy
and translation of a note from Mr. Davignon, the Belgian minister for
foreign affairs, conveying the official information of the issuance of
the royal decree carrying into execution article 4 of the treaty of
annexation of the Kongo to Belgium, and fixing the date on which the
Government of the King will assume the exercise of sovereignty over its
colonial possessions.
A copy of this note has of course been furnished to all of the legations
accredited to Brussels and the communication is therefore, in some
sense, a circular note.
The British minister, Sir Arthur Hardinge, believes that the note does
not properly require an answer, and he has made none. My own opinion is
different, and I have thought it proper to make courteous acknowledgment
of the communication, while in no way committing our Government. A copy
of my note of reply is herewith transmitted.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Wilson.
The
Foreign Office,
Brussels, November 6,
1908.
Mr. Minister: A royal decree, carrying into
execution article 4 of the treaty of annexation of the Independent
State of the Kongo to Belgium, has fixed on the 15th of this month
as the date on which the Government of the King will assume the
exercise of sovereignty in its colonial possessions.
On the eve of assuming the direction of the affairs of the colony
which will be of interest to the powers, I beg to assure your
excellency that my most lively desire will be to continue, whenever
your excellency will have occasion to transact business with this
department, the excellent relations which, I congratulate myself, I
have always had with you.
I am, on my side, certain of the kindly assistance which your
excellency will give me with this end in view.
[Inclosure 2.]
Minister Wilson
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Legation,
Brussels, November 6,
1908.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
acknowledge your excellency’s esteemed note of November 6 conveying
the information that the royal decree carrying into execution the
provisions of article 4 of the treaty of annexation is fixed for
issuance on the 15th of November, on which date the Government of
the King will assume sovereignty over its colonial possessions.
Highly appreciating your excellency’s courteous expressions while
bringing this important action to my knowledge, I beg leave to
advise you that I have immediately transmitted the information to
the Government at Washington and asked for instructions therein.
