711.569/20
The Secretary of State to the Netherland Minister (De Graeff)
My Dear Mr. Minister: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note dated August 6, 1924, in which you inquire whether it will be [Page 207] possible that the so-called liquor treaty between the United States and the Netherlands be put in force from the date of the signature of the treaty without awaiting its ratification, so that the American authorities would be entitled from the date of signature to board and search Netherlands ships outside of the three mile limit and Netherlands ships would be entitled to carry alcoholic beverages under seal within that limit from the same date.
By way of response I am obliged to inform you that this Government finds itself unable to give application to the treaty prior to the exchange of ratifications and proclamation thereof.
I am [etc.]