711.428/615
The British Ambassador (Geddes) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honour to inform you that a communication has been received from the Deputy Governor General of Canada stating that a Conference of Fishery Experts representing Newfoundland, [Page 408] Canada and the United States was held at Ottawa on the 23rd of September 1920 to consider the question of co-operation in scientific investigation of the deep-sea fisheries adjacent to both coasts of this continent. At this conference the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
“Be it resolved that—It is the sense of this meeting that, on the nomination of the fishery services of the countries represented, each of the respective Governments should forthwith designate three persons to constitute an International committee on marine fishery investigations, this committee to determine what measure of International co-operation is desirable, what general investigations should be undertaken, consider definite problems that may be awaiting study, submit recommendations to their respective Governments, and co-ordinate and correlate the results of the work.
It is the expectation that the respective Governments will undertake to provide the necessary ways and means for conducting such independent and co-operative investigations as may be adjudged desirable by the International committee.
It is recommended that the International committee establish contact with the Permanent International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.”
I should be grateful if you would inform me whether the recommendations contained in this Resolution meet with the approval of the United States Government. I am advised by the Canadian Government that they are prepared to approve of these recommendations and they would also be glad to learn whether the Government of the United States will agree to the Resolution being made public on the 15th of October.
I have [etc.]