579.6D1/267
The Secretary General of the International Commission for Air Navigation ( Roper ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 1.]
Sir: In an article entitled “Germany and the Paris Convention relating to air navigation dated 13th October 1919”, published in October 1928 in the “Zeitschrift fur das gesamte Luftrecht”, Dr. Wegerdt, Ministerial Counsellor of the Ministry of Communications of the Reich, set forth the reasons why the German Government has hitherto abstained from adhering to the said Convention.
The International Commission for Air Navigation (I. C. A. N.), having taken cognizance of this article, considered that it might serve as the basis for a very opportune discussion.
Desirous to facilitate the adhesion of all the States to the Air Convention of 13th October 1919 by making such amendments of the text now in force as may be warranted by the progress realized in the domain of air navigation and by the necessity of universal co-operation to ensure the unity of aerial law, the I. C. A. N., adopting the procedure suggested in the above mentioned article, has therefore decided to bring about without delay a general discussion, by holding an extraordinary session to which will be invited, side by side with the Governments of the States parties to the Convention, the Governments of all the non-contracting States.
The German Government has already announced that it is prepared to accept this invitation.
I have the honour, in the name of the Commission and consequently of the Governments which it represents, to request your Government to be good enough to take part in this Conference which will be held in Paris at the end of May 1929.
[Page 490]The discussion will have as its basis the above mentioned article of Dr. Wegerdt, a French translation of which I send you herewith annexed to a Note3 which I have thought fit to prepare on the question.
These negotiations must greatly interest your Government, which was a signatory to the Convention after having participated, in 1919, in its preparation; it would be deeply regrettable that modifications to be made in its text should be discussed without the presence of your Government and the entire Commission sincerely hopes that it will take an active part in the debates.
I hope consequently to receive at an early date the announcement of the acceptation of your Government and I have [etc.]
- Neither printed.↩