Paris Peace Conf. 185.14/1

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

Sirs: I have the honor to enclose, for your information, a copy of a note dated December 11, 1918, from the Embassy of the French Republic, suggesting the advantage of having France, the United States, England, Belgium, and Italy join a convention for the adoption of rules of aerial navigation.

I have [etc.]

Frank L. Polk
[Enclosure]

The French Chargé ( Chambrun ) to the Acting Secretary of State

Mr. Secretary of State: My Government reminds me that the International Conference held in Paris in 1910 for the adoption of rules of aerial navigation could achieve nothing but a draft of a convention which has not been signed.

On the other hand, a French Commission, profiting by the experiences gained in the war has drafted another text not so lengthy but also in better harmony with the present conditions of aviation.

Under those circumstances the Government of the Republic believes that there would be advantage in having France, the United States, England and Belgium and Italy agree to draw up jointly a convention which would then be submitted to the other allies and to which the neutral states might in turn be permitted to adhere.

Should the Federal Government concur in this view, the French Government would be glad if one or more representatives were appointed to attend a limited conference which would meet in Paris at the earliest possible date.

I shall be thankful to you if you will kindly enable me to report how this proposal was received by the Government of the United States.

Be pleased [etc.]

Charles de Chambrun