711.41d27/2

The Secretary of State to the Irish Minister (MacWhite)

Sir: As you are doubtless aware, the Government of the United States, although signatory, has not as yet become a party to the International Flying Convention of 1919 regarding international aerial navigation.16

However, I may say that this Government fully appreciates the importance in the mean time of reaching agreements with the various nations of the world with a view to facilitating international aerial navigation with especial reference to commercial and privately owned aircraft. Since 1920 this Government has had an informal agreement on the subject with the Dominion of Canada which agreement is now under discussion between the two Governments with a view to revision to conform to present day conditions. The subject has also for some months past been under discussion with the British Government and this Government has suggested the desirability of effecting a general agreement providing for the reciprocal issuance of pilots’ licenses and the mutual recognition of air-worthiness certificates by Great Britain and the United States which would extend to the United States and its possessions on the one hand and on the other to Great [Page 531] Britain and Northern Ireland, the British Dominions (excepting the Irish Free State and Canada with whom the United States maintains direct diplomatic relations) and to the British oversea possessions. This Government is now suggesting to the British Government the use of the proposed Canadian agreement as a model for this purpose and it takes the same occasion to inquire whether your Government would be disposed to consider the adoption of a similar agreement between the Irish Free State and the United States. For your convenience, I enclose a copy of the draft text of the agreement now being discussed with the Government of Canada17 which as you will perceive is based on the principle of recognition of the sovereignty of a state over the air space above its territory and upon reciprocity of treatment subject, of course, to restrictions designed to promote safety in aerial navigation and to make suitable provision for the requirements of national defense.

This Government expects to make similar proposals to other nations and in the meantime ventures to express the hope that your Government may be disposed to conclude such an agreement. In such an event, it is further proposed that the agreement be effected by means of an exchange of notes.

Accept [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
W. R. Castle, Jr.