File No. 12655/35.
The British Chargé to the Acting Secretary of State.
Manchester, Mass., August 11, 1908.
Sir: With reference to Mr. Bryce’s note, of the 27th March, in regard to the points prepared for discussion at the International Law Conference it is proposed to hold at London, I am now directed to submit to you for the consideration of the United States Government a memorandum1 embodying the views of His Majesty’s Government as to the rules of international law on these points.
I am further to explain that this memorandum represents merely a compilation of rules and dicta of British courts and British practice collected for convenience, but necessarily put compendiously, so that, if a question arose, it would have to be decided by reference to the full authorities, and that, therefore, it is not to be taken as an official code, since some of the rules and dicta are of ancient date, and their application may be difficult, in view of modern conditions.
I have, etc.,
- For British memorandum, as well as for those of other countries represented at the conference, see British Parliamentary Paper, Miscellaneous No. 5 (1909).↩