File No. 774/766.
The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Kerens.
Washington, October 4, 1910.
Sir: The department received in due course your dispatch No. 50, of July 6 last, with which you transmitted copy and translation of a personal note to you from Count Aehrenthal, the minister of foreign affairs, dated July 4, from which it appears that the Austro-Hungarian Government has finally decided not to participate in the opium conference to be held at The Hague; also copy and translation of memorandum accompanying the foreign minister’s note in which are given the reasons for the nonparitcipation of his Government, and stating that they will follow with much interest the deliberations of the conference.
You will inform the minister for foreign affairs that while this Government naturally regrets the decision of the Austro-Hungarian Government, nevertheless their reasons therefor are fully appreciated. Further, that this Government is highly gratified to learn of the interest with which the action of the conference will be followed by the Austro-Hungarian Government, and ventures to hope that the conclusions arrived at by the conference may be of such a nature as to win their approval and adherence.
I am, etc.,